[JJS]

I was similar to those above wherein I had a good job that paid all of the bills and then some, great benefits and a descent QOL. However, I sat at a desk everyday staring at a wall and a picture of a C172 cockpit and wanted nothing more to be in the sky. I started taking lessons and eventually got my ppl. I graduated from college about 6 months later and decided that if I didn’t make the leap then I would get stuck in an engineering job and always be wondering what if. Now don’t get me wrong, engineering is a great field and I always have it sitting on the backburner, but being an airline pilot is what I have always wanted to do.

I quit my job in December and took a small vacation to go to MSP to see the fiancée. I started my instrument rating in mid February and finished it at the end of Feb. I moved to Arlington at the beginning of March and went to Skymates to do time-builing and comm/CFI. I finished that up by the end of August and the only reason it took me so long was because I dragged my feet on the time-builiding part. I instructed for about 6 months and took a job with Colgan and I am currently enjoying first year FO pay. The best thing I can tell you is that when you decide to make the jump make sure you have some money saved up to compensate for the loss of income and get the training done as fast as you can. Like IanJ said, you just have to do it. You can always go back and get another job that’s as good or better than the one you have now because you have the experience in the field which is huge. Good luck with your decision. If you need help with anything or just want to shoot the bull about flying I live in Minneapolis so just shoot me a PM.

JJ