jetcareers - View Single Post

eas · August 13th, 2002, 15:43

Gotta agree with Skeeter and Ready2fly,

Although I don't know you and you family, the fact that you said that your wife is "needy of my attention" leads me to believe that you had better stick close, not to mention the fact that you have a son. Kids change so much, so quickly when they are young! If you do pursue aviation as a career, you will spend plenty of time away from your family during company initial training (most likely several times), recurrent training, checkrides etc. I would not add such an extended separation to the scenario, especially considering how the industry is right now. As Eagle has recently mentioned (and gotten grief for), this is a tough industry during the good times and times definitely are down right now.

The only thing I would recommend would be KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE!!! Find an FBO somewhere to get your ratings. You are going to have your degree. Find someplace where you can work full time and fly your tail off on the side and be with your family. It can be done. Just make sure that you find an instructor who is willing to work at your pace. Try to fly at least 2 times during the week and once on the weekends. You will be amazed at how quickly you can knock out those ratings and still be there for your family.

Let's face it... there isn't really a great need to hurry to start interviewing for a pilot job right now anyway. Driving airplanes for a living is NOT worth losing your family. In fact I know several guys who were just talking about whether they would do it all over again had they known the industry would take such an extreme and quick downturn. Despite all the comments from the "You can do it if you really want it bad enough" crowd, it is VERY tough out there right now. Sure, it CAN be done, but an honest recognition of the hurdles is important as well.

Good luck in whatever path you choose. But, never forget, you should always Work to live... not live to work. And there is no more rewarding job than being a good Daddy and husband!

Be well and fly safe
Eas

August 13th, 2002, 15:43	#15
eas Newbie Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: O\'Fallon, IL Posts: 29	Re: Keeping the Home Fires Burning Gotta agree with Skeeter and Ready2fly, Although I don't know you and you family, the fact that you said that your wife is "needy of my attention" leads me to believe that you had better stick close, not to mention the fact that you have a son. Kids change so much, so quickly when they are young! If you do pursue aviation as a career, you will spend plenty of time away from your family during company initial training (most likely several times), recurrent training, checkrides etc. I would not add such an extended separation to the scenario, especially considering how the industry is right now. As Eagle has recently mentioned (and gotten grief for), this is a tough industry during the good times and times definitely are down right now. The only thing I would recommend would be KEEP YOUR FAMILY CLOSE!!! Find an FBO somewhere to get your ratings. You are going to have your degree. Find someplace where you can work full time and fly your tail off on the side and be with your family. It can be done. Just make sure that you find an instructor who is willing to work at your pace. Try to fly at least 2 times during the week and once on the weekends. You will be amazed at how quickly you can knock out those ratings and still be there for your family. Let's face it... there isn't really a great need to hurry to start interviewing for a pilot job right now anyway. Driving airplanes for a living is NOT worth losing your family. In fact I know several guys who were just talking about whether they would do it all over again had they known the industry would take such an extreme and quick downturn. Despite all the comments from the "You can do it if you really want it bad enough" crowd, it is VERY tough out there right now. Sure, it CAN be done, but an honest recognition of the hurdles is important as well. Good luck in whatever path you choose. But, never forget, you should always Work to live... not live to work. And there is no more rewarding job than being a good Daddy and husband! Be well and fly safe Eas