Hello all,
first of all thank you so much for your opinions, I really appreciate!!!
@ KC Jake:
I believe without enthusiasm I probably wouldn't have made it all the way up to CFI and CFII, but unfortunately enthusiasm won't pay my bills!
@jettison IT:
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but through experience I'v learned that once aviation is in your blood it stays there forever. Aways keep your CFI current you'll never know when you need it.
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That is absolutely true!!!!!!! And that's why I kept my CFI current over the past years and I'll continue to do so!!!!
@ all:
Regarding the job offer in Europe, it's Lufthansa, major German carrier, but it's not a flying job (unfortunately) it's an office job, keeping their electronic IFR Charts and FMC Database up to date. I have to confess, I'm not really an office person (I'd rather be flying), and I don't have the intension doing this job for the rest of my life, at some point I'd probably can't stand it anymore. But on the other hand, I must say, without being in aviation I'd have never been offered this job.
But, and here comes the story behind it.
I was planning of doing this job for a couple of years, to save some money and to support my parents, since both are retired now (83 and 69) and they are struggling to make a living, because their pension is pretty low - they won't tell me of course, but I know it. And for me it's really sad to see this. They always supported me a lot, without them it probably wouldn't have been possible for me to become a pilot.
This Lufthansa Job also includes free travel privileges for employees and their family-members, with Lufthansa and a few other major international carriers, I thought this would be a great opportunity for my parents to go and see the world, and enjoy life as long as their health permits.
Somehow I have the feeling, that there is something or somebody telling me: "it's time to say thank you, hurry up, there is not much time left."
On the other hand, I'm aware of that this might be my last chance to get back into aviation again, because the longer you are out of doing something (no matter what), the more difficult it is to get back into it.
I have a total of about 600 hr and around 60 hr of multi time (but I haven't been flying for the last five years, mainly due to a health issue which kept me from flying), I was planning to work as a CFI for about six month or so and then try to get a job with the regionals, get 1500 hr on a multi-crew airplane, apply for the JAA License and go back to Europe (as mentioned earlier, my entire family and all of my friends live in Europe, my father was US-Soldier who participated in D-Day, the Vietnam and Korea war and afterwards was stationed in Europe most of the time and upon retirement from active duty decided to stay there).
But this would mean, make a living on (about) 1500$ for the next two years or so (which is not an easy task in CA, currently I have absolutely no financial reserves left), and being unable to support my parents which makes me feel rather bad, since they've done so much for me!
The final question is, what makes me happier in the long run! I'm aware of, that in the long term I'll probably have the better opportunities in the aviation business.
Sorry for the long post, and thanks for reading it! I really appreciate! And once again, tanks for your opinions! If you'd like to add any further comments or opinions you a very welcome to do so!!!!