MrBurgsy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 14, 2022 11:05 am Hey All,

I'm looking to talk to someone who changed careers and entered the aviation industry after having a "high" earning (6 figures) job. Current CFI, exploring my options of chasing my dreams as an airline pilot. Thanks in advance

newlygrounded wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 10:20 pm

MrBurgsy wrote: ↑Mon Mar 14, 2022 11:05 am Hey All,

I'm looking to talk to someone who changed careers and entered the aviation industry after having a "high" earning (6 figures) job. Current CFI, exploring my options of chasing my dreams as an airline pilot. Thanks in advance

Don't do it IMO

cargocowboy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:45 am I did. Took a 75% paycut initially. Down to about 50% now after 4 years. I have no regrets. I'm not the type of person that can sit at a desk or in meetings from 8-5, or slaved to your cell phone or outlook calendar.

I have far more time off now, and I have lots of hobbies outside of work. I took on no debt for flight training, which would have been a deal breaker for me. My wife is supportive and makes a decent income, which also would have been a deal breaker. We have always lived beneath our means, which helps with the low income.

I have done many different things, and flying is the easiest job I've ever had. Acquiring an ATPL is much easier than a P.Eng. If all goes to plan I should be back to pre-aviation income levels in 3 years. That will leave me a solid 25 years of high income in a job a truly enjoy with tons of time off. Obviously there are risks like covid, recessions, etc, but my previous career definitely wasn't immune to ups and downs either.

Good luck.

Ash Ketchum wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 11:57 am

cargocowboy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:45 am I did. Took a 75% paycut initially. Down to about 50% now after 4 years. I have no regrets. I'm not the type of person that can sit at a desk or in meetings from 8-5, or slaved to your cell phone or outlook calendar.

I have far more time off now, and I have lots of hobbies outside of work. I took on no debt for flight training, which would have been a deal breaker for me. My wife is supportive and makes a decent income, which also would have been a deal breaker. We have always lived beneath our means, which helps with the low income.

I have done many different things, and flying is the easiest job I've ever had. Acquiring an ATPL is much easier than a P.Eng. If all goes to plan I should be back to pre-aviation income levels in 3 years. That will leave me a solid 25 years of high income in a job a truly enjoy with tons of time off. Obviously there are risks like covid, recessions, etc, but my previous career definitely wasn't immune to ups and downs either.

Good luck.

That's a great write up. I think the part of your wife making good money is key. My wife decided to become a sahm just as I got hired onto my first airline so I have struggled with the low pay and having to juggle an extra job with flying to make ends meet.

Gowyn wrote: ↑Fri Mar 25, 2022 2:37 am Yep me.

Dropped out of the flying game in ‘86, joined the military, uni and now finishing up a nice stable career.

Got my CPL now, starting instructor and will teach in retirement with a nice “supplemental” pension…

No regrets….