Getting out for a couple of years??

Texasspilot · February 11th, 2005, 16:55

Need some advice.

First off I'm 23 with a chance to start flying for a local commuter airline here in about 3 months. As we can expect though the pay sucks and having just graduated from college it would be really nice to get some of these bills paid plus be able to eat everyday. I may have a chance here in a couple of months to start doing some work where I would be making enough money to pay off my bills in a year and then maybe stay on another if possible and get some money saved in order to supplement income when I got back into aviation. I would probably be able to flight instruct part time during the time i was working as well. I think i can see the obvious upsides, what I'm looking for is opinions and downsides. Any and all are welcome. My dream is to fly military but until that gets decided im trying to play both sides of the field as it were. Please help me out.

kellwolf · February 11th, 2005, 17:55

My personal opinion is that if you can CFI on the side to stay current and keep your foot in the door, paying down the debt can only help you in the long run.

Kristie · February 17th, 2005, 22:20

your dream is to fly military? shouldn't you have joined the military then?

Doug Taylor · February 18th, 2005, 19:13

National guard my friend!

Texasspilot · February 18th, 2005, 19:33

working on getting my ots app completed, but its not an overnight thing by any means. Im just tryin to play both sides of the field right now and see what all my options are.

Windchill · February 18th, 2005, 22:09

What does [ QUOTE ]
My dream is to fly military but until that gets decided

[/ QUOTE ] mean?

Apply for Guard/Reserve slots ... if you have difficulty, you still have time only being 23, enlist. Units LOVE hiring from within!

As far as the two options you listed ... a man's got to be able to financially support himself and any family. Take the job that will pay for now, pay a little more into bills to lighten your monthly payment, then instruct ... if you can slowly integrate yourself into instructing by part time ... SWEET!

Texasspilot · February 19th, 2005, 06:32

that means that whether or not i get a flying slot in the military is not 100% up to me. As far as the job that pays more it would not include flying but possibly allow me the time to instruct part time and after a year maybe even buy my own aircraft. As far as guard and reserve units are concerned most of them like to hire or upgrade from within just like any other company and unless im garunteed a chance at a pilot slot im not willing to put my life on hold for a few years which i think is understandable considering the job market that pilots are facing these days. I know my posts on this board are varied and seem to cover a large area of different topics but like i said before my career and life are at a turning point and im just trying to find out what the best route is for me.

kellwolf · February 19th, 2005, 11:43

Why would the guard or reserve be "putting your life on hold for a couple of years?" It's not active duty. Then again with the screwed up decisions being made I think the guard guys are seeing more action than active duty right now, but that's for Arguepolitics.com. Not only could it give you a good in as far as a unit, if you have student loans they'll help out with those. Depending on what unit you joined, you could probably still instruct/work the other job on the side. If I were younger, I'd be all over it myself.

February 11th, 2005, 16:55	#1
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,073	Getting out for a couple of years?? Need some advice. First off I'm 23 with a chance to start flying for a local commuter airline here in about 3 months. As we can expect though the pay sucks and having just graduated from college it would be really nice to get some of these bills paid plus be able to eat everyday. I may have a chance here in a couple of months to start doing some work where I would be making enough money to pay off my bills in a year and then maybe stay on another if possible and get some money saved in order to supplement income when I got back into aviation. I would probably be able to flight instruct part time during the time i was working as well. I think i can see the obvious upsides, what I'm looking for is opinions and downsides. Any and all are welcome. My dream is to fly military but until that gets decided im trying to play both sides of the field as it were. Please help me out.

February 11th, 2005, 17:55	#2
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,529	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? My personal opinion is that if you can CFI on the side to stay current and keep your foot in the door, paying down the debt can only help you in the long run.

February 17th, 2005, 22:20	#3
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 17,966 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? your dream is to fly military? shouldn't you have joined the military then?

February 18th, 2005, 19:13	#4
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 40,240 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? National guard my friend!

February 18th, 2005, 19:33	#5
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,073	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? working on getting my ots app completed, but its not an overnight thing by any means. Im just tryin to play both sides of the field right now and see what all my options are.

February 18th, 2005, 22:09	#6
Windchill Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-Atlantic, KMRB Posts: 1,925	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? What does [ QUOTE ] My dream is to fly military but until that gets decided [/ QUOTE ] mean? Apply for Guard/Reserve slots ... if you have difficulty, you still have time only being 23, enlist. Units LOVE hiring from within! As far as the two options you listed ... a man's got to be able to financially support himself and any family. Take the job that will pay for now, pay a little more into bills to lighten your monthly payment, then instruct ... if you can slowly integrate yourself into instructing by part time ... SWEET!

February 19th, 2005, 06:32	#7
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,073	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? that means that whether or not i get a flying slot in the military is not 100% up to me. As far as the job that pays more it would not include flying but possibly allow me the time to instruct part time and after a year maybe even buy my own aircraft. As far as guard and reserve units are concerned most of them like to hire or upgrade from within just like any other company and unless im garunteed a chance at a pilot slot im not willing to put my life on hold for a few years which i think is understandable considering the job market that pilots are facing these days. I know my posts on this board are varied and seem to cover a large area of different topics but like i said before my career and life are at a turning point and im just trying to find out what the best route is for me.

February 19th, 2005, 11:43	#8
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,529	Re: Getting out for a couple of years?? Why would the guard or reserve be "putting your life on hold for a couple of years?" It's not active duty. Then again with the screwed up decisions being made I think the guard guys are seeing more action than active duty right now, but that's for Arguepolitics.com. Not only could it give you a good in as far as a unit, if you have student loans they'll help out with those. Depending on what unit you joined, you could probably still instruct/work the other job on the side. If I were younger, I'd be all over it myself.

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