Quote:
Originally Posted by dfwmia  Hi all,
I'm a former I.T. guy. I did some programming, but mostly networking from 1993 through 2005 full time. I continued part time into 2006 as well.
I got my CFI/I in 2005 when I quit my full time I.T. gig and instructed and did contract work on the side to pay bills. In mid 2006 I got a freight dog job flying a Caravan and did that until September 2007. At that point I started with Eagle and am now almost 1 year into that gig. Now, they are displacing in front of a possible furlough. My number is low enough to miss at least the first possible furlough, however I WILL get displaced out of my base which is where I live. I commuted my first 5 months and hated it. Now, it's back to commuting again, and probably back to reserve.
I enjoy the flying and other things about the job, but I made a list of pros and cons. The cons outweighed the pros by around 2 to 1. The primary cons are:
1. Being gone away from my family around 50% of the time.
2. The low, low pay for SEVERAL years, especially being with Eagle.
3. The hassles of dealing with getting to the airport, thru security, etc.
4. The way you are treated as an employee. I'm not saying it's horrible, but essentially, I'm just a number to the company. In the I.T. world, I was used to being treated like a professional and with reasonable respect.
I'm looking at renewing my Cisco certification, MCSE and going for the money again.
Anyone else in the same boat considering such? Just curious. I know I'll miss the flying and it will be tough on occasion to board that commercial airliner, however I can at least say I've tried it and I won't regret that. |
Hi DFW. I too am in IT. I am also 45 years old. Unlike you though, I haven't yet tossed it aside for the Aviation career.... although thats what I had intended to do... I'm now in Raleigh for another IT gig, and am just wrapping up the TSA process for flight training approval....
What i wanted to say was this... I've been in love with flying all my life, and have 52 hours to my name.... I planned on switching careers, and had a long hard fight with my wife about it... however, after all is said and done, I, like you, weighed the pro's & con's, and an aviation career came up far short of my needs when compared to my IT career....
I have 4 young kids and a wife who like to see me every night... my IT career makes it possible, an Aviation career would not
I like to plan my weekends and every other day in my schedule according to my family needs and plans... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not
I like to maintain a certain level of comfort, and not just get by on subsistance living... IT makes this possible, Aviation would not...
I like to drive my Land Rover, and provide my wife and kids with a nice big house, and spoil them all rotten (after all, I won't be around forever, and I could die today!)... my IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career would not....
Like you, I've been in IT since 1993 until today, so after 15 years I make a steady mid-6-figure income, don't carry a pager, don't work weekends, don't work nights, am not on call..etc... IT makes this possible, Aviation cannot offer the same
I have decided that I'll get my commercial and instructor ratings to fill my need for professional aviation by instructing on weekends etc, but I also plan on buying my own twin and flying for fun.... an IT career makes this possible, an Aviation career does not....
What I'm saying DFW, is that rather than focusing on the "fix" that you want, or I want, in our desire to fly, focus on what your family "needs", rather than making them do without so your (my, our) flying needs are fulfilled)... They NEED an at home dad, more than we "need" to fly for a low paying corporation (don't forget, the Airline mgrs and execs don't share your financial or schedule pains, and they cannot even fly the planes nor risk their lives on a daily basis!).... fly for fun to get your fix.... Your IT career will get to the point where you can pick a job that has only day shift, and no on call requirements... there are plenty out there, just be choosy up front... the money will come again.. but to make it come quicker, stick to internetworking (ie: Cisco certs) as opposed to MCSE's.. they are truly a dime a dozen and don't offer high $$$'s .... find a role that will let you work on project and lead some of them, then make the transition to IT Project Management... thats where BIG $$$'s are... and thats exactly what I did.. Her eis the path I took as I learned and figured out how to cash in big in the IT industry... my certification path below as an example....
CNA 4.1, CNA 4.11, CNA 5.0, CNE 5, Master CNE, CNE 6, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCIE Written, ITIL, PMP..... still a PMP today.....
I hear ya DFW , and I feel your pain... but family, kids, wives, come first, not our desire to fly... money can buy that for us in a recreational way...
I think you're making the right decision to get back into IT... You AND your family will have more money in your pocket, MUCH more quality family time, AND, your family will be able to enjoy flying with DAD every weekend.... can you imagine the thrill the kids will get ?
Thats my two cents anyway.. I hope it helps...
Cheers.