new pilot looking for motivation

[SGTCIV]

So, I'm guessing that most people here that have a career in aviation started somewhere. It's said that sixty percent take the civilian route and the other forty come from the military. Whatever the case I'm guessing that just about everyone here started with a dream as a kid. Now, I know that wanting to be a pilot right now is probably not the greatest idea on the planet, and I don't expect to be rich and famous. All I want out of this is enough to support a wife, a dog, and maybe a kid somewhere along the line. I suppose seeing them every now and then would be a plus as well.
So here's my deal, I was in the military (enlisted) making a steady pay check and had an awesome job fixing jets. Then one day, I find out that I'm inheriting some money (thanks crash and lou). It happens to be enough money to get me through pilot training, finish my degree, live comfortably during the process, and put a nice down payment on a house (I realize the market sucks now and I'm not looking for real estate advise). So, I do it, I get out of the military and I go for it, I'm all about the accelerated training because the quicker I get there the better, right? It saves money. I spent 10,200 dollars and 2 months on my PPL. Is that normal? I do the math, and what I was quoted wasn't what I was going to pay. It ended up to be similar to what ATP charges. I didn't go with them in the beginning because they were a little more expensive, but from what I understand, they don't lie, and it's all multi time. So I start the Career program on the twenty-fourth of the month, and I'm really excited about the whole thing.
My family, meanwhile, is wondering why the hell I'm spending my money on this seemingly dieing career when there's so much more I could do with it. It's weird, a big reason why I quit my job was because my family was supportive of my decision. Now, all of my support is turning into a huge Q and A session every time I go home. I'm also an A&P mechanic which I'm sure I could make a good career out of, but I know that I wouldn't be satisfied if I did. I know I'm making the right decision, and I will see it thorough. I know alot of people go into this with loans and other debt, so that puts me in a pretty good position, I guess.

I just want to know that, with persistence, I will be at a regional in less than two years. I need to know that in 3 - 4 years I will be able to mildly contribute to my family's well being, and someday, I will be able to be a respectable man, making a respectable living, flying a respectable plane (turbine). And I want to know how long it's going to take to get there.

This will happen, and I'm not interested in your disgruntled view on the industry. I want to know about the childhood dream. I want to know about how you got there, because I know it wasn't easy, and I know it must be nice to fly a multi million dollar piece of machinery with countless lives at fl350 every day. That's where god lives...

 

[dpilot83]

Yes, with persistance and unlimited resources I don't know why you couldn't be in a regional in 2 years (if a regional is still what you want at that time, there's plenty of other options). With persistance and a little more realistically limited resources, it is still possible and even likely if you were to fall into a CFI job that gets you a lot of time after you complete your ratings (assuming you have the motivation and resources to do the ratings in a year or less).

You're probably aware of this, but just in case you need to understand that with just your ratings you won't have the time necessary to get to a regional. You're either going to need to buy the time, buy a plane, or get an instructing job that builds time quickly. You will somehow need to come up with another 500 to 1500 hours that will make you competitive depending on what the market looks like in two years.

and I know it must be nice to fly a multi million dollar piece of machinery with countless lives at fl350 every day

If you look at any career with that type of philosophy, you'll probably never going to be happy. Have a goal, yes, but enjoy the getting there.

One other thing to consider...this isn't real estate advice, it's just a heads up. Since I got my first job after flight instruction 3 or 4 months ago I've moved 4 times in 3 different cities. It'll be more steady for a bit here now, but sometimes flexibility is important in this career and a house isn't a very flexible thing....

 

[flyover]

just want to know that, with persistence, I will be at a regional in less than two years. I need to know that in 3 - 4 years I will be able to mildly contribute to my family's well being, and someday, I will be able to be a respectable man, making a respectable living, flying a respectable plane (turbine). And I want to know how long it's going to take to get there.

Unfortunately, these are all unknowable things. As is anything else to do with the future. It seems like someone in your family is shaking your confidence in yoursellf. The only way is as Thoreau said: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams."

"Disgruntled views" of the industry have nothing to do with the industry and everything to do with the disgruntled. You can't ever control the industry you can only take charge of yourself.

 

[Cruise]

Unfortunately, these are all unknowable things. As is anything else to do with the future. It seems like someone in your family is shaking your confidence in yoursellf. The only way is as Thoreau said: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams."

"Disgruntled views" of the industry have nothing to do with the industry and everything to do with the disgruntled. You can't ever control the industry you can only take charge of yourself.

:yeahthat:

I followed my heart / dreams and am now doing what I love. I left a very stable and good paying job to enter into the world of the unknown. While it's true, I've never been more poor than I am at this very moment. I am flying at the regional level and hope to continue w/ this career until they (the man) tell's me I can no longer do it.

Im broke! To put it mildly. That being said, I've never been happier than I am now w/ my professional life. Had I remained in my previous field, I'd be making about 4x what I am now. But, life isn't all about money is it. Obviously, it helps; but, it isn't the end-all be-all that people make it out to be. My family was not happy w/ my descision to drop everything I'd worked so hard to achieve to pursue a life-long dream. However, it's my life, not theirs!

My advice:
Realize your dream. Give your yourself an opportunity to achieve your goals. If it doesn't work out for you, as you said, you've got an A&P.....get another job fixing planes instead of flying 'em.

 

[DE727UPS]

"I want to know about how you got there, because I know it wasn't easy"

See the perspective's link on the home page.

As far as your timeline, it's reasonable. I would only add that there is never a 100% promise that your career will be stable. You could go to the best regional, be happy, plan on making a career there, and then your regional could have an unfortunate turn of events. Ask the guys at Mesaba...