cessna2351
Well-Known Member
Hi everyone,
I'm currently a senior in high school and am at the metophorical crossroads of my life per se. I have taken flight lessons in Cleveland (KBKL) for the past year or so and just completed my pre-solo test...(money got a little tight so i had to put it off for awhile...thats why it took so long...you get the point).
Anyway, for as long as I can remember, I've been interested in ATC and aviation. During the summer I've driven up to Cleveland Hopkins, parked my car in a little drive on Brookpark Rd (just north of the field), and sat there with my scanner and listened to all of the BTA and COA planes come in during their banks. After an hour or so, the airport "cop"..*cough cough* would tell me to leave or he would call the Cleveland police
.
Anyway, I've been accepted to both ERAU campuses. As a matter of fact I'm flying down to Florida this Sunday to look at the DAB campus, and then in March to PRC. I've always wanted to be a pilot but am starting to think of the sacrifices that need to be made for this career ( You know, family and other "perks" of living at home that are usually taken for granted, football games on sundays {for me its the browns and cavs
}, bbq's, etc).
I've done a little research and discovered that ATC is one of the highest government paid jobs...i found a site that said the median earnings for american ATC is over 80k dollars. Now I figure thats sounds a little higher than it probably is but it is still eye-catching.
I've toured KZOB ( the cleveland center facility before) and have spent an entire afternoon "chilling" in the KBKL tower. I personally find local and ground controlling alot more exciting, but thats just me.
Should I consider drifting away from a pilot career. I'm a person who would be content living in the same city for my life and naturally seek a job with good benefits ($$) and a moderate amount of excitement (is this the right word?..you know what i mean).
I could really use any advice, wisdom, proverbs...anything
Thanks in advance
Mike McM
I'm currently a senior in high school and am at the metophorical crossroads of my life per se. I have taken flight lessons in Cleveland (KBKL) for the past year or so and just completed my pre-solo test...(money got a little tight so i had to put it off for awhile...thats why it took so long...you get the point).
Anyway, for as long as I can remember, I've been interested in ATC and aviation. During the summer I've driven up to Cleveland Hopkins, parked my car in a little drive on Brookpark Rd (just north of the field), and sat there with my scanner and listened to all of the BTA and COA planes come in during their banks. After an hour or so, the airport "cop"..*cough cough* would tell me to leave or he would call the Cleveland police

Anyway, I've been accepted to both ERAU campuses. As a matter of fact I'm flying down to Florida this Sunday to look at the DAB campus, and then in March to PRC. I've always wanted to be a pilot but am starting to think of the sacrifices that need to be made for this career ( You know, family and other "perks" of living at home that are usually taken for granted, football games on sundays {for me its the browns and cavs

I've done a little research and discovered that ATC is one of the highest government paid jobs...i found a site that said the median earnings for american ATC is over 80k dollars. Now I figure thats sounds a little higher than it probably is but it is still eye-catching.
I've toured KZOB ( the cleveland center facility before) and have spent an entire afternoon "chilling" in the KBKL tower. I personally find local and ground controlling alot more exciting, but thats just me.
Should I consider drifting away from a pilot career. I'm a person who would be content living in the same city for my life and naturally seek a job with good benefits ($$) and a moderate amount of excitement (is this the right word?..you know what i mean).
I could really use any advice, wisdom, proverbs...anything

Thanks in advance
Mike McM