jetcareers - View Single Post - Question on age vs. debt to start flight training...

kellwolf · June 15th, 2005, 14:12

[ QUOTE ]
Why are so many people willing to spend sooo much money to get a job that pays sooo little.

[/ QUOTE ]

Part of the draw of the academies is that they can get you done relatively quickly compared to most FBOs. Guys that are not as young as they used to be (like me) tend to lean more that way. Spending a couple of years working part time and flying when you can afford it slows down the process. I wound up having to take out loans because I was working full time, but I couldn't afford to keep up with flight training expenses. Add to that the stress on me from working 60+ hours a week (rent, food, car, flight training, wife....), flying and taking classes on-line, I almost either needed to take the plunge or quit altogether.

If I had it to do over again, I woulda started younger. If I was like 20-25, I would probably do the work part time thing and train full time while living with my parents. I'm actually coming out of this better than a lot of people. I'll have my ratings PPl-MEI (eventually) plus my degree only owing about $30K. I can name you a lot of people I know that owe more than that just for a college degree. Would I prefer not to go into debt? Hell, yes. Did life present me with that option? Nope.

Finally, to actually answer your question: Everyone has their own reasons for picking this insane career. Some get into it for the "money." They don't last long at all. Others get into it for the travel. They more or less quit not long after the first guys. What you're left with are people that have a serious love and personal drive to succeed in aviation. Honestly, I can't see myself doing anything else. I'm having a blast training for my CFII, and I'm looking forward to teaching. Assuming I don't get killed by a student, I'm looking forward to moving on to bigger and better things. I don't regret one thing I've done as far as my flight training decisions, and for me, that's a very good feeling. It also helps that I have a wife that is behind me and supports me no matter what.

June 15th, 2005, 14:12	#32
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,634	Re: Question on age vs. debt to start flight training... [ QUOTE ] Why are so many people willing to spend sooo much money to get a job that pays sooo little. [/ QUOTE ] Part of the draw of the academies is that they can get you done relatively quickly compared to most FBOs. Guys that are not as young as they used to be (like me) tend to lean more that way. Spending a couple of years working part time and flying when you can afford it slows down the process. I wound up having to take out loans because I was working full time, but I couldn't afford to keep up with flight training expenses. Add to that the stress on me from working 60+ hours a week (rent, food, car, flight training, wife....), flying and taking classes on-line, I almost either needed to take the plunge or quit altogether. If I had it to do over again, I woulda started younger. If I was like 20-25, I would probably do the work part time thing and train full time while living with my parents. I'm actually coming out of this better than a lot of people. I'll have my ratings PPl-MEI (eventually) plus my degree only owing about $30K. I can name you a lot of people I know that owe more than that just for a college degree. Would I prefer not to go into debt? Hell, yes. Did life present me with that option? Nope. Finally, to actually answer your question: Everyone has their own reasons for picking this insane career. Some get into it for the "money." They don't last long at all. Others get into it for the travel. They more or less quit not long after the first guys. What you're left with are people that have a serious love and personal drive to succeed in aviation. Honestly, I can't see myself doing anything else. I'm having a blast training for my CFII, and I'm looking forward to teaching. Assuming I don't get killed by a student, I'm looking forward to moving on to bigger and better things. I don't regret one thing I've done as far as my flight training decisions, and for me, that's a very good feeling. It also helps that I have a wife that is behind me and supports me no matter what.