should I even start my Commercial?

DenverPilot8

DenverPilot8

Well-Known Member
Hello to all....I just finished my instrument rating last week and was wondering what the thoughts are on starting my commercial at this point. As the future looks so bleek it becomes harder to swallow the cost of time building even if I stay with singe engine only for now. What do you think?
 
DenverPilot8 said:
Hello to all....I just finished my instrument rating last week and was wondering what the thoughts are on starting my commercial at this point. As the future looks so bleek it becomes harder to swallow the cost of time building even if I stay with singe engine only for now. What do you think?
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Depends on what you want.

I say, why not? You'll learn a lot, increase your skill set and privileges in the system. No one says you have to go get an airline job. Continue to pursue the training for the sake of enjoyment and sharpening your skills as a pilot.

However, if you're only going to happy in a professional flying gig (airlines?) and you think that future is too bleak, then stop training. No point in wasting the money.

There are other things, though. One of the things I have decided I will do is start flying Angel Flights, and you need at least a CSEL to do that. It's a way I can put my training to some good use for the benefit of others. That's worth a lot to me, even if I never have a professional flying job.

I say pursue it because you love flying. There are LOTS of CSEL pilots out there who don't fly professionally or even on the side.
 
If flying is something you want to do professionally? I would say "yes." But, with the industry in a state of change I would take your time. Getting your commercial license makes you a better pilot by refining your skill/knowledge. So if you want to be a better pilot have at it.
 
For the longest time flying professionally is what I have wanted to do and continues to be what I want to do. But it's completely depressing how much has changed in just a matter of a year. I've already taken 2 years to be where I am now. I've felt like I've waited so long while working and paying as I go. At this point I would love to be a CFI but not at the expense of having no airline/corporate/cargo job prospect for the next 5 years.
 
Go for it...time building is a great way to see things and go places you never have before. That's not even counting the refinement of your piloting skills. In addition, once you get your commercial, you can then get your CFI and start getting paid to build time.
 
What will you do when the airlines pick up again in say a year and you could have had a chance to jump ship and get hired? No one knows what will happen like any industry. But for me I am not one to sit around and wait. If its something you want to do pursue it and be ready. If you never tackle your commercial you can never tackle your CFI-MEI and thus never get into a position to be hired if things pick up. Dont allow this current state to keep you from pursuing your dreams. Again my thought is simple you may never know unless you try, but if you never try you will have never known :)!
 
On a side note if I did pursue commercial. Anyone in Denver for time building purposes then? probably should start another thread for that....
 
Figure if it takes a couple years for the industry to cycle back, if you go for your commercial now, you will just be in a better place when it does turn. Unless time building costs are critical to your cost of living, getting your commercial couldn't put you in a worse position than you are right now.
 
I have to agree with Meyers, you CAN NOT be hired for any type of professional flying position without your commercial ticket. The industry is not in the best shape right now but airlines will hire again and to position yourself so when they are hiring you need to continue your training and build experience. Don't get depressed by the state f the airlines today, just put your head down work hard and get to your goal. I personally changed carriers to return to avaition and can not tell you how rewarding it is do get to do what I love.
 
Yeah, the immediate return on investment of lets say splitting/building 100 hours or so now and getting my Commercial is virtually nothing. Of course I would polish pilot skillz and enjoy the experience but if I stopped right there it wouldn't be worth it. Unfortunately getting my CFI doesn't mean that I can get a job instructing for sure. This is a very hard decision. I do want to position myself for the next up-turn however so maybe I'll just go for it. Waiting around probably only means that training cost will be much higher later anyway.....
 
DenverPilot8 said:
Hello to all....I just finished my instrument rating last week and was wondering what the thoughts are on starting my commercial at this point. As the future looks so bleek it becomes harder to swallow the cost of time building even if I stay with singe engine only for now. What do you think?
Click to expand...

Well, what would you like to do? That's the most important part.
 
Congrats on finishing your instrument ticket! I vote yes for continuing your training. You've just knocked out arguably the hardest rating there is. Life is going to throw you curve balls either way. You want to be standing in the batters box when they come your way.

Aside from the importance and value of being a CFI, there are so many ways that a commercial ticket could benefit you. Just by getting to know people around the airport(s). It sounds like you really have your heart set on 121 flying and that's great, but it's not the only game out there. I'm sure many RJ pilots "stopped by" a King Air or something along those lines, along the way.

I say keep flying and keep advancing if you want to fly professionally. That's the only way it's ever going to happen, regardless of the current state of the 121 industry.
 
AP2B said:
Congrats on finishing your instrument ticket! I vote yes for continuing your training. You've just knocked out arguably the hardest rating there is. Life is going to throw you curve balls either way. You want to be standing in the batters box when they come your way.

Aside from the importance and value of being a CFI, there are so many ways that a commercial ticket could benefit you. Just by getting to know people around the airport(s). It sounds like you really have your heart set on 121 flying and that's great, but it's not the only game out there. I'm sure many RJ pilots "stopped by" a King Air or something along those lines, along the way.

I say keep flying and keep advancing if you want to fly professionally. That's the only way it's ever going to happen, regardless of the current state of the 121 industry.
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True Dat....
 
Working on your commercial can be just flying while you work until you are in striking distance of your part 61 mins. Now if you are talking some part 141 program, you may need to reassess.

If you got some buddies willing to chip in for a $200 hamburger, I would keep on flying with the long term goal.
I sure as heck would not stop flying at all, and keep your instrument skills up, they are perishable to some extent. Hence 66 hit!
 
I will definately be doing Part 61. I figure if I was going to make it a career I'm going to need the extra required hours anyway. Plus I can split time with someone for a lot of that. Too bad the friends I have that are pilots are already at the regional level.
 
DenverPilot8 said:
For the longest time flying professionally is what I have wanted to do and continues to be what I want to do.
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so then quit crying and do it. industries change, business models shift.

people still need to move goods from a to b in a timely fashion and until we can teleport stuff, we'll need air transportation.

i cant understand why a few companies having a hard time would totally squash your passion. maybe you need to reexamine what you really want to do.
 
I'm in the same position. I'm trying to finish up my commercial and nervous like anyone else about the industry. But, I would much rather be flying ANY airplane in the coming year or two, than sitting on the ground, working some desk job, and dreaming about flying.
Maybe one way you could look at your predicament is this; will you look back in three years and wish you had pursued your dream? If you are really passionate about flying, then pursue it. You can't go wrong!
Good Luck with your decision
 
If you want to do it, go for it! Jobs may be hard to come across for awhile, but that's not the same as there being NO JOBS whatsoever. At least you'll have the possibility of getting a job.
 
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