Thinking about being a pilot

[JasonB]

I thought I would be happier if I just followed the money and got into a regular career in business.

WRONG!

Take it from someone who did follow the money: it's not worth it. I grew up always wanting to be a pilot, but also wanting to live "very comfortably". I pursued a career in I.T. and have been quite successful, but I am absolutely MISERABLE. I can honestly say that I'd rather be living in 2 bedroom apartment (one bedroom for each kid; wife and I will sleep on the couch) and living off noodles than work another day in I.T.

I'm knocking on the door of 30 years old, and I'm going for it (provided I have no issues getting a 1st class medical).

Life is too damn short to wonder "what if". Hindsight is always 20/20, and we all complain that we don't have that luxury. That's not true. Look around you. Look at guys like me. I went down the "safe path". The safe path is balls. If you don't like what you're doing and you can't look yourself in the mirror, you won't enjoy a single penny. Trust me. I've chased hobby after hobby trying to make myself happy. It simply doesn't work. I watched my dad go through the same thing and he never did anything about it. I finally woke up and decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

So it sounds like you're young... early 20's I'm guessing.

It only gets harder as you get older.

If you truly love flying and want to make a career out of it, I advise pursuing it at all (legal) costs. If you have to go into debt and dodge bill collectors for the next 20 years while you build time and earn seniority, then do it. If you don't do it, you will HATE yourself.

 

[Airdale]

WRONG!

Take it from someone who did follow the money: it's not worth it. I grew up always wanting to be a pilot, but also wanting to live "very comfortably". I pursued a career in I.T. and have been quite successful, but I am absolutely MISERABLE. I can honestly say that I'd rather be living in 2 bedroom apartment (one bedroom for each kid; wife and I will sleep on the couch) and living off noodles than work another day in I.T.

I'm knocking on the door of 30 years old, and I'm going for it (provided I have no issues getting a 1st class medical).

Life is too damn short to wonder "what if". Hindsight is always 20/20, and we all complain that we don't have that luxury. That's not true. Look around you. Look at guys like me. I went down the "safe path". The safe path is balls. If you don't like what you're doing and you can't look yourself in the mirror, you won't enjoy a single penny. Trust me. I've chased hobby after hobby trying to make myself happy. It simply doesn't work. I watched my dad go through the same thing and he never did anything about it. I finally woke up and decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

So it sounds like you're young... early 20's I'm guessing.

It only gets harder as you get older.

If you truly love flying and want to make a career out of it, I advise pursuing it at all (legal) costs. If you have to go into debt and dodge bill collectors for the next 20 years while you build time and earn seniority, then do it. If you don't do it, you will HATE yourself.

Thats what you call obsession right there!! Nice post by the way, hope everything works out for you. I pursued other career options momentarily, just "chasing the money", but I was miserable too. I was born to fly, so my toture for having the passion, is never being home and making $20k a year to start. But hot damn, ain't flyin fun!!

 

[igneous]

WRONG!

Take it from someone who did follow the money: it's not worth it. I grew up always wanting to be a pilot, but also wanting to live "very comfortably". I pursued a career in I.T. and have been quite successful, but I am absolutely MISERABLE. I can honestly say that I'd rather be living in 2 bedroom apartment (one bedroom for each kid; wife and I will sleep on the couch) and living off noodles than work another day in I.T.

I'm knocking on the door of 30 years old, and I'm going for it (provided I have no issues getting a 1st class medical).

Life is too damn short to wonder "what if". Hindsight is always 20/20, and we all complain that we don't have that luxury. That's not true. Look around you. Look at guys like me. I went down the "safe path". The safe path is balls. If you don't like what you're doing and you can't look yourself in the mirror, you won't enjoy a single penny. Trust me. I've chased hobby after hobby trying to make myself happy. It simply doesn't work. I watched my dad go through the same thing and he never did anything about it. I finally woke up and decided I wasn't going to make the same mistake.

So it sounds like you're young... early 20's I'm guessing.

It only gets harder as you get older.

If you truly love flying and want to make a career out of it, I advise pursuing it at all (legal) costs. If you have to go into debt and dodge bill collectors for the next 20 years while you build time and earn seniority, then do it. If you don't do it, you will HATE yourself.

Yeah, I'm 24, so I really can't put off anything much longer. I'm about 50/50 between becoming a pilot and going into law enforcement. I'm trying to get into federal LE, which is a long process. The issues with being a pilot right now are the money, long time away from home, the amount of time it will take me to become a pilot from right now(no hours), and continuing to live at home in my 20's. My issues with LE are sort of similar, like the money(although some positions do pay quite well) but retirement is usually decent, the amount of work hours, and the risks of the job. Both positions are very interesting to me, which makes it even harder to choose...

 

[Naluryder]

Thats what you call obsession right there!! Nice post by the way, hope everything works out for you. I pursued other career options momentarily, just "chasing the money", but I was miserable too. I was born to fly, so my toture for having the passion, is never being home and making $20k a year to start. But hot damn, ain't flyin fun!!

I totaly agree..I finally made the leap from what ifs to just going for it. It's an obsession and a great passion. Hey I left paradise (Hawaii) now training in TX (GKY) I can always go back to Hawaii and pick up on my hobbies(surfing) again once I accomplish this flying goal of mine. I've made great sacrifices. It's funny how flying is like surfing...the wind can be a great factor. Gusty winds..(no flying..) grounded wishing I were up flying. Gusty winds on the ocean(mushy waves no form) the obsession drives me to paddle out and surf in mush...conditions wishing for cleaner waves...LOL...I've climbed the highest peaks,surfed the great blue seas and now fly the sky's...to me it's freedom..the greatest feeling in the world...no regrets..

 

[t-cart]

I just read your post and will add my opinion. As Calcapt. said this aviation thing is almost an obsession. To make a career of it , it has to be your passion or you will be just as miserable as a lot of the 8 to 5 people out there. My advise to you is the same as everybody else has suggested. Go take some lessons and see if this is really something you want to do. Only you can make that decision. As far as getting to old, No offense to you but i have to kinda laugh at that ,Ya see ,I am almost 50 and thinking about trying to get on with a regional. How CRAZY is that:nana2:

 

[cignaguy]

Yeah, I'm 24, so I really can't put off anything much longer. I'm about 50/50 between becoming a pilot and going into law enforcement. I'm trying to get into federal LE, which is a long process. The issues with being a pilot right now are the money, long time away from home, the amount of time it will take me to become a pilot from right now(no hours), and continuing to live at home in my 20's. My issues with LE are sort of similar, like the money(although some positions do pay quite well) but retirement is usually decent, the amount of work hours, and the risks of the job. Both positions are very interesting to me, which makes it even harder to choose...

Good luck with your decision and just follow your heart. The pay is pretty good for most Fed LE jobs, not sure if you are looking at uniformed or special agent jobs though. The SA jobs are great if you can land one, and the retiree beenfits will be unbeatable. I am in the process for a fed gov't job so I know what you mean about the process. It is terribly long, but in the end everyone has to have that Top Sec clearance.

I might apply to a few more Fed LE jobs in October. I have to wait until then because that will be my 3-year mark since I made a stupid mistake. Live and learn!

 

[igneous]

Good luck with your decision and just follow your heart. The pay is pretty good for most Fed LE jobs, not sure if you are looking at uniformed or special agent jobs though. The SA jobs are great if you can land one, and the retiree beenfits will be unbeatable. I am in the process for a fed gov't job so I know what you mean about the process. It is terribly long, but in the end everyone has to have that Top Sec clearance.

I might apply to a few more Fed LE jobs in October. I have to wait until then because that will be my 3-year mark since I made a stupid mistake. Live and learn!

Yeah, I'm definitely hoping for a SA job, but there are a few jobs that I can work with and earn the same retirement, and get experience for a SA job. I am taking a test for an immigration enforcement agent position next month, and applied for a LE job with the forest service too.

 

[88MPH]

Yeah, I'm definitely hoping for a SA job, but there are a few jobs that I can work with and earn the same retirement, and get experience for a SA job. I am taking a test for an immigration enforcement agent position next month, and applied for a LE job with the forest service too.

I'm DYING here in the military waiting for my chance to get a CFI job ... I feel like Edvard Munch!

If you haven't taken the intro flights, and if you're still on the fence ... I suggest (as many others have) to take 'em! Heck, even if you DON'T wanna be a pro pilot, you've obviously got a little taste for it, so take the intro flight(s) anyways! If you have that yearning, even it's a little one, its very unlikely that you'll regret it.
YEW CAN DEEWWW EEEEETTTT!!!!