Jetcareers - View Single Post - Is It Too Late to Look to Flying as a Career?

wrxpilot · April 21st, 2009, 11:02

Just remember, there are also other types of flying out there... This site is heavily slanted towards the airlines, but they have the absolute worst quality of life compared to everything except maybe bottom of the barrel charter (which still pays a lot better than regionals).

Is the romance of flying gone? Will you no longer look out the window and realize how lucky you are once you start flying professionally? According to some of the guys in this thread, yes. I disagree though. I still love driving down to the airport for a trip, doing a little BS session with the guys and girls at the FBO when I get there, and I still get pumped when we push the power levers up for takeoff and climb out at 5000 FPM. It's pretty damn fun.

This past year I saw St Elmo's fire for the first time, as we were flying through a snowstorm above MI one dark winter night. Electricity chased my finger on the windscreen as I moved it along. How cool is that?

Whenever we're flying at night, cruising along at FL450 I'm still stunned by all of the stars we can see, with the occasional shooting star to reward our attention.

I've been able to visit some amazing places with my job, and my facebook page is stuffed with photos that make it look like I'm on a constant vacation. Enjoying great food across the US, mountain bike adventures in Phoenix, sailing in southern CA, amazing museums and food in NYC, BBQ and green chile in Texas, etc.

The experiences above are just with my current job. I've also worked as a CFI and charter pilot (crew and single pilot), and each of those also rewarded me with some awesome experiences and life long friends.

Is the job perfect? Definitely not... But I'm much happier than I was a couple of years ago, sitting in my cubicle hating my boring life as an engineer. Now my life is definitely not boring.

Would I do it again? Yes, definitely. I don't regret any part of it. If you want to enjoy your flying career, stay out of debt. Paying for your training as you go is a must. If you don't believe me, create an Excel spreadsheet and prepare some budgets for the first couple of flying jobs. Make sure you have a backup if you get laid off or furloughed.

Also, take a look at the aviation industry and see who the bitter ones are. Not too many of the corporate, fractional, and charter guys are. The airlines are a different story... Even the ones that have dream jobs are freaking bitter people. Doug at this site seems to be a rare exception.

Good luck, if you do it right, work hard, and have a little bit of luck you'll have a great time.

April 21st, 2009, 11:02	#44
wrxpilot Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South FL (sometimes) Posts: 737	Re: Is It Too Late to Look to Flying as a Career? Just remember, there are also other types of flying out there... This site is heavily slanted towards the airlines, but they have the absolute worst quality of life compared to everything except maybe bottom of the barrel charter (which still pays a lot better than regionals). Is the romance of flying gone? Will you no longer look out the window and realize how lucky you are once you start flying professionally? According to some of the guys in this thread, yes. I disagree though. I still love driving down to the airport for a trip, doing a little BS session with the guys and girls at the FBO when I get there, and I still get pumped when we push the power levers up for takeoff and climb out at 5000 FPM. It's pretty damn fun. This past year I saw St Elmo's fire for the first time, as we were flying through a snowstorm above MI one dark winter night. Electricity chased my finger on the windscreen as I moved it along. How cool is that? Whenever we're flying at night, cruising along at FL450 I'm still stunned by all of the stars we can see, with the occasional shooting star to reward our attention. I've been able to visit some amazing places with my job, and my facebook page is stuffed with photos that make it look like I'm on a constant vacation. Enjoying great food across the US, mountain bike adventures in Phoenix, sailing in southern CA, amazing museums and food in NYC, BBQ and green chile in Texas, etc. The experiences above are just with my current job. I've also worked as a CFI and charter pilot (crew and single pilot), and each of those also rewarded me with some awesome experiences and life long friends. Is the job perfect? Definitely not... But I'm much happier than I was a couple of years ago, sitting in my cubicle hating my boring life as an engineer. Now my life is definitely not boring. Would I do it again? Yes, definitely. I don't regret any part of it. If you want to enjoy your flying career, stay out of debt. Paying for your training as you go is a must. If you don't believe me, create an Excel spreadsheet and prepare some budgets for the first couple of flying jobs. Make sure you have a backup if you get laid off or furloughed. Also, take a look at the aviation industry and see who the bitter ones are. Not too many of the corporate, fractional, and charter guys are. The airlines are a different story... Even the ones that have dream jobs are freaking bitter people. Doug at this site seems to be a rare exception. Good luck, if you do it right, work hard, and have a little bit of luck you'll have a great time.