Why Do I Want this.........?????

mbflyer · Post by **mbflyer** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 10:25 pm

So I am sitting here wondering to myself yet again..why do I have this desire to fly for a living, and why won't it go away? Am I too old to start? are there no opportunities in the area I want to fly? Is it just a pipe dream?

I'm 36... Is that too old to start? Well......re-start actually. I have 25 hrs training time, but haven't flown in a couple of years due to other commitments, and lack of funds. Am I better off saving up for all my training before I start, or am I better off to pay as I go?

Am I giving up a solid professional career, for a life of uncertainty? I'm a professional accountant earning over $60K a year, and potential to be over six figures in five years time, yet I would walk away from this in an instant for a flying career.

I could continue in my current career and fly for fun, but that would probably make me want to fly for a living all the more.

There is a very appropriate quote I saw on a website for a flight training school " Nobody dreams of becoming an accountant when they grow up.

And what about the family?? I have a house with mortgage payments, two young kids and a wife who works part time. Is is irresponsible of me to want to fly with these commitments?

Am I too old to pursue this as a career? Is there any hope if I do? I'm not looking to fly 747s or 340s. My ideal avaiation career would be flying bush, float planes off the west coast, or island hopping somewhere in the Carribean.........

Geez...........I think I need a drink ( and advice!!)

No Conflict · Post by **No Conflict** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:13 pm

Hey,

Got my first flying job at 32... I admit, I slacked off for quite a while and then realized that flying was where I want to be... I like the ever changing view out my office window, along with the days off

Do you give up your "day" job?? Well, You will be getting SHIT wages starting off, and most probably be moving to a remote area....I know guys/gals who LOVE this, and others who HATE this....depends on how you feel..

Will you get the same satisfaction?? Hmm, I was a senior buyer at a good company..... I decided it was not for me.... Was it easy? F#ck NO!... was it worth it? F@ck YA! I get to fly to all kinds of places, fly with awesome people and experience things that most people only dream about.... but that's me...
Don't know if this helps...

NC

mcrit · Post by **mcrit** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:22 pm

There is a very appropriate quote I saw on a website for a flight training school " Nobody dreams of becoming an accountant when they grow up.

I really hate to sound negative, but that company went down the tubes and took alot of people with it. If you've got a mortage and people depending on you, think very carefully before you give up a good job for aviation. Right now the industry is really good, just like it was before 911, but I would lay money on it taking true nose dive within 2 years. All those guys that are flying for AC and Jazz right now won't be in the near future.

200hr Wonder · Post by **200hr Wonder** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:31 pm

Real simple: Because what if sucks.

Zatopec · Post by **Zatopec** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:48 pm

I hear you!

I gave up full time flying a couple years ago. Now I find myself making in the high five figures and possibly six by next year, but even then I sometimes wonder what I'm doing here feeling that I'd rather be flying.

Only difference is that I have the hours and I'm current. Since the market is good, I decided to check things out. I'll see what the offers will be and go from there. I won't leave for anything but if the right conditions are there, I will seriously consider returning to flight.

Guess we have to do what really makes us happy after all.

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:49 pm

One fella I taught had a similar story.

He had left instructing in the early 90's to become a high school teacher. He was actually the instructor of my instructor. But he always felt a little piece was missing in his life.

After a few years of teaching, he did some soul searching and he and his wife (after all it wasn't his decision alone with a wife and a few young kids) had decided he should follow his flying passion. He was in his mid 30's

He renewed his instrument rating and found a corporate job followed quickly by a tier 3 job. He is a good guy, a good pilot and one of the happiest guys I've met.

I also have a friend who left a secure and financially rewarding job in trading currencies to follow his dream of flying. He was also in his early thirties and he is much happier now than ever. He now flies for one of the two big carriers in this country (you have a 50/50 chance of guessing which one).

Follow your passion. If the risk is too much, then you will never be happy in this job. But if you have a die hard love of flying, then you will never be happy doing anything else. You are never too old to do something you enjoy. The choice, ultimately, is up to you.

Just my humble opinion.

Red Line · Post by **Red Line** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:50 pm

Always hang on to your dreams; they're what make life worth living!

I know of a guy that was a firefighter, but started flight training in his late thirties I believe. He was good friends with the owners of a charter company and started flying part-time as a co-joe on a ho. He was a real stand-up kinda guy and soon became captain. This ho didn't fly much, so it was rarely a conflict with work. A few years later, he got his pension from firefighting and became a full-time part-time charter pilot. So it can happen.

Why did I choose to become a pilot? Simply because I knew I'd feel disatisfied or lacking some sense of well-being at any other job. I truely felt I'd always regret not at least trying to be a pilot.

Talk it over with your better half and see if there's a way to make it work financially.

My two pennies.

Red

... · Post by **...** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 6:58 am

...As long as we continue to treat this profession in an unprofessional manner...we will never receive the level of pay associated with the large responsibilty of transporting people by air.

Once the hiring slows down OR stops...people will again be offering to pay for their PPC's...brutal but its a fact and there is nothing one can do except make it illegal to do.

However I still have faith in people as I still believe in the mentor program. However...I will only be mentoring people that want to get out of the industry and making some real money and have the Xmas holidays off!!!!

snaproll20 · Post by **snaproll20** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 9:19 am

It is a tough decision whether to follow your dreams, or stay secure and keep your family.

Even an exceptional woman finds it difficult to follow the meanderings of a professional pilot.

If you can never be happy not flying, then you have to do it, but remember your family will share your fall-out.

Retired after many years in the business, I feel blessed that I was able to do much of what I did. Was I successful? I do not really know.

It is hugely disappointing that my decisions have not left me with a secure financial package. Would I do it again? I don't know. I suppose I would make some different decisions. One of them would be to have treated my family better.

There is no great financial security in aviation, often not even to the pilots who make it into the left seat of big jets because many are paying alimony to more than one woman.

Perhaps you could try being an aviation accountant (THAT takes a special talent!!!) Perhaps you could be an instructor on the weekends and try getting your feet wet without jumping in the deep end.

You already seem to think the grass is greener...........a severe flaw for many pilots.

I fear, understand and salute your predicament.

Good Luck, and do tell how it works out.

alpha1 · Post by **alpha1** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:15 am

if u really want to re-purpose your career by moving into aviation, try this simple test: while you're still working as an accountant, cut your wage by 75% for the next six months, and then imagine living on that salary for the next 5 years at least...

don't want to discourage you, but with a wife and kids its no longer about exclusively following "your" dream, but from your post it sounds like you already know that.

best of luck.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:33 am

why not stay as an accountant, atleast its stable...earn your CPL Instructor rating and fly part-time/weekends when your not at your full time job? That way your still flying, and some pocket change at that. Plus if its a toss up between stable income and hating your job...atleast teaching on the weekends gives you something to look forward too no?

I think there should be more guys like this out there. Ive come across, and flown with 3 who had nice paying jobs and instructed on the weekends...these were the best instructors Ive had, nicest too. They wanted to teach and didnt just sit there looking at the hobbs.

Canada needs more p-time instructors I believe.

North Shore · Post by **North Shore** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 10:49 am

Dude,

Stick with the accounting - it's way more reliable. When did you ever hear of an accounting company going TU? It'll pay your mortgage, send your kids to private school, university, and pay off the summer cottage. There's no worrying about a sim check or ride every 6 months, no worrying about a medical every year, no stress about the weather, how much can you carry, should I take the turbine f/o job in Thompson or the captain piston job in Lynn Lake? You'll get to spend summers with your kids, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases etc at home. Save a little cash, finish off your private, and buy a Cub, or Cruiser, put it on floats and store it at your local lake. Then you can fly off to go fishing or hunting whenever you want - on your schedule, no waiting for a group of fat turkeys to get organised, or your boss to finally decide that he wants the drum of gas at ex lake, and the 100lbr of propane at wye lake... If you are really desperate for your flying fix, build up to your instructor rating, and teach others, but keep your day job.
I really enjoyed my first few years of training, and work, but now it's a job, plain and simple. Yeah, it has its cool moments, and "I can't believe that they are paying me to do this!" times, but the rest of the time....

You mention float and west coast flying - don't forget that most of it is summer work only - the wx is good and the days are long, so you end up working your ass off, 14 hour days 6 days a week, flying right up to (and beyond, sometimes) your CARS limits, and then getting laid off, or spending your winter living in someplace that gets old really quickly without a plane to fly.

PM for more if you wish...

sky's the limit · Post by **sky's the limit** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:02 am

I too respect your predicament, but before making ANY decision on entirely leaving accounting - PLEASE remove all romantic notions of the aviation industry/life. It will colour your decision, and not in a good way.

The others here have said there is good and bad things about flying for a living, monetary uncertainty, and a healthy dose of unprofessional behavior... they are right. If you can be making $100k/yr+, and are as addicted to flying as you say, maybe purchasing your own a/c and flying for fun is the way to go. There are a number of folks on here who do that, and in this day and age of fractional ownership, it's not hard. You can take your training as far as you want, but maintain some form of financial security as you get older.

This industry eats it's young, and is NOT a professional occupation - if it needs you, things are good, if it doesn't, YOU are SOL.

Good luck,

STL

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:19 am

I was fortunate to have flown for a living before big brother started to regulate the industry to death.

I did not quit because of age or the inability to fly, I quit because I do not want to be a zombie controlled by morons making up new rules.

You see I do know how to think and fly and prefer not to be controlled by those who fly desks pounding out more and more stupid restrictions about something they obviously have no understanding of.

Cat

Red Line · Post by **Red Line** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 12:47 pm

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 1:38 pm

Ahhh, what he hell I am bored so I may as well respond.

Red Line my posts seem to irritate you so I would assume I won't see you coming out here for some lessons on the finer points of how to really fly an airplane?

mbflyer · Post by **mbflyer** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 1:58 pm

Well, that's quite the disparity of advice.

alpha1 wrote:if u really want to re-purpose your career by moving into aviation, try this simple test: while you're still working as an accountant, cut your wage by 75% for the next six months, and then imagine living on that salary for the next 5 years at least...

Interesting idea. Although we (wife and I) are doing something similar right now - living off my salary and banking hers. Although if I pursue this, my thinking is to cut my costs back as much as possible for the next few months so that I can get into training with a big push late in the spring, this way I'll have the $$ in advance. ( can't do it earlier due to other commitments)

One of the advantages with my current career is that if I decide to make a switch in careers , my current career allows a fallback. There is also a huge demand for accountants so it would be relatively easy to get back into it.

Is the grass greener? From a financial standpoint no.

14hr days, 6 days a week, well......that's really nothing new. ( I think I had calculated that in Nov. I put in 70 hrs ot? and 30 was in one week.)

Romantic notions - well I also spent 6 years in the Infantry, so I guess it couldn't be more uncomfortable then living in a hole in the ground.

p/t instructors - I agree, it seems that unless you have ownership in a flying school, the whole idea of instructing is just a stepping stone.

something to look at I guess. (and think about)

altiplano · Post by **altiplano** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 2:07 pm

mbflyer wrote:14hr days, 6 days a week, well......that's really nothing new. ( I think I had calculated that in Nov. I put in 70 hrs ot? and 30 was in one week.)

It's good that OT is nothing new to you as 14 hour days are par for the course in aviation... The big difference will be not getting paid any extra for the 40+ hours of "OT" you put in this week.

Red Line · Post by **Red Line** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:41 pm

Cat Driver wrote:Red Line my posts seem to irritate you so I would assume I won't see you coming out here for some lessons on the finer points of how to really fly an airplane?

Ahhh ., I'm sorry if I come accross as a hard-ass

You seem to have a good head on your shoulders and you used to bring a lot of really great advice to this forum. I'm a long-time reader, though low-time poster. My name's Chris if you want the whole first name basis thing. I don't like TC any more than the next pilot, and hey I'm always looking for ways to upgrade my training.

Phileas Fogg · Post by **Phileas Fogg** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:52 pm

Cat Driver wrote:Ahhh, what he hell I am bored so I may as well respond.

Red Line my posts seem to irritate you so I would assume I won't see you coming out here for some lessons on the finer points of how to really fly an airplane?

haha! classic!