What would you tell your younger self before deciding to start a career in aviation?

Be prepared to work all kinds of shifts 24/7. In aviation, some jobs are 24/7. You think you could work any kind of shift on a 24 hour clock but it is actually a little bit challenging. It was hard for me at first, but I am starting to get better at it and it is just a part of the job. Now, I am okay with it. However, I'm not sure if a 24/7 job is for everyone.
 
ppragman said:
I take it you don't have a family?
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You would be wrong...
Family.jpg
 
I decided I'd fly ever since I was 3. My father is also a corporate pilot, so this was a no brainer. The reasons though weren't because I wanted to be like him, rather the sensation of freedom and awe that flying brings me.

Anyway, when I was in my Junior Highschool year, my father said: there are 2 ways to get your pilot's license. Either you pay for it on your own, or I help you out. But If you want me to help you out, bring me a college degree. If not, you're on your own. So, a college degree later, here I am.

Initially, Probably my only regret is I that I realized what flying for a living actually implicates (basically valueing a life for a amount of money) a tad a little late. But apart from that, we're cool.

Take Care
 
I have an extremely unusual path (not in aviation anymore) and I got to experience a lot at a young age so the only thing I would do differently is tell myself to go on long flights while time building instead of that 1.5-2.5 51nm BS.
 
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PGT said:
I have an extremely unusual path (not in aviation anymore) and I got to experience a lot at a young age so the only thing I would do differently is tell myself to go on long flights while time building instead if that 1.5-2.5 51nm BS.
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Long flights are the best, those are always my favorite. The way the syllabuses are set up at the school I instruct at, a local flight to an airport 51nm away is a situation of I'll take what I can get because it doesn't happen often.
 
PGT said:
I have an extremely unusual path (not in aviation anymore) and I got to experience a lot at a young age so the only thing I would do differently is tell myself to go on long flights while time building instead of that 1.5-2.5 51nm BS.
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What do you do now?
 
Soku39 said:
Grass might not be greener but at least you get to sleep at home every night.
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I do that with my new job. It is awesome. But it is also nice to escape for a day at a time or so.

PGT said:
I have an extremely unusual path (not in aviation anymore) and I got to experience a lot at a young age so the only thing I would do differently is tell myself to go on long flights while time building instead of that 1.5-2.5 51nm BS.
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You live!
 
Nothing except for perhaps "Don't worry, you'll do fine."

I've done alright with the tools I had. Made only minor mistakes, managed to turn those into learning experiences. Gotten pretty decent at mastering my fear. I can't really ask for more than that.

Still love flying after 12 years at it. I hope that continues because I don't know what else I'd do.
 
1. Do get better grades in school.
2. Do go to Stanford and get that MBA in finance.
3. Do go to Goldman and work in M&A until you want to slit your wrists.

Wait, on second thought, do exactly what you set out to do. Get your license and head up to Alaska. The money will not be 1/100th of the Goldman job, but flying a little airplane into the middle of nowhere Alaska will be worth it. No matter what you end up doing later in life, those experiences will be some of the best times. Also, there will be a time when Apple is looking like they are going to go bankrupt, and Bill Gates stepps in and buys a bunch. Put every penny you have into Apple right then.
 
In general, life is hard, you'll do and see things you can't even fathom, that will suck in new and awesome ways. Through it all, embrace the suck, enjoy where you are at right now, because one day it will be over, and you'll never get it back.

Specifically...
1. There is a lot of world out there, go and see it, on your own time and dime.
2. No matter what the recruiter tells you...
You'll never fly with that eyesight or those grades for uncle sam
70% of the world is water, 10% desert...all of that sucks
3. Find something that you are good at and like for a career
4. Don't get married
 
ppragman said:
What do you do now?
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Software dev. No I don't in a cubicle, it's more of like a startup atmosphere. I enjoy it because 75% of the time it's about solving complex problems and making things work. No set schedule, great pay & benefits and job where people actually reward the top performers.

I do plan on getting a PT flying-gig in the future.

Van_Hoolio said:
Last time I saw him he was riding the city bus home from work. ;)
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Company-paid bus pass + unlimited LTE is much better than dealing with traffic. I put 8k miles on the car last year including many long road-trips.
 
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