[Airdale]

Unfortunately I too am about to punch the eject button on this career pilot thing. Maybe not permanently, but I just might see how it goes. I'm struggling to make ends meet as a CFI. I can't live how I want to live, I can't enjoy any of my favorite past times due to lack of money and lack of free time. I'm basically being supported by my fiance and her salary, yet I'm giving her nothing in return financially or in terms of spending time with her. We bought a house that needs a lot of work and I'm obligated to students nearly 7 days a week. I work the weekends, she's off the weekends. She's sacrificing a lot to afford things for the house, I sacrifice more then half of my paycheck to pay back my flight training loan. Its not fun.

I love to fly. I absolutely love it. The view, the fun, everything about it. To get paid a lot of money doing it would be awesome. I just don't think I can sacrifice anymore then I'm doing now and I'm running out of steam. I have a solid family business I could be running in a few years that will make enough money to probably buy my own airplane after paying off my school loan. I'd be home everynight, off every weekend and be making enough to afford the things we need for the house. I would also be able to enjoy racing, carving (bird decoys), building boats and hunting/fishing. Of course I'd be able to satisfy my love of aviation by flying at my leisure. I'm having the hardest time from walking away from flying full time right now, but I think its a decision I have to make. I can relate to your buddy.