Airline pilot or MBA?

cheers! · January 10th, 2006, 11:15

Hi fellows,

I'm 20 yrs old and studying Business Administration. In two years I'm going to get my BS degree. After getting my BS degree, I'm thinking to get my PPL at my local FBO. Then, I'll have to choose between:

*persuing my dream to become an airline pilot

or
*study an MBA at Europe

, lol

Now, I have considerable free time at college, so I would like to know what I can read to learn more or just to get advance of my free time. About being an airline pilot, do you recommend me to go to the big schools like Pan-am, PEA, ATP, etc? or where to go?

So, I would like to receive some wise advise from you guys.

Cheers!!

Chaz · January 10th, 2006, 11:45

Hi,

You are almost in the same situation as me. I was considering going for an MBA but I realized that a B.S. degree in Aviation Management is plenty to get any sort of managerial position in aviation. I am concentrated on my academics right now and will pursue my flight training back home during the summer. I personally don't like big flight schools so it is really up to you. I would definitely do an internship one summer to see what an airline career is like because I hear that it is the most rewarding experience you will have as a pilot outside of any job.
I hope I helped

NTXPilot · January 10th, 2006, 12:11

Welcome aboard. This seems to be a popular dilemma, because I'm right there with y'all. I'm gonna take the GMAT, see how I do and go from there. If I get a good score then I might entertain the possibility of going to some "better" schools. If not, then stay right where I am. I graduate in May. My feeling is I might as well get the MBA; it's only a few more years. Then do what ya want.

Goldmember · January 10th, 2006, 13:37

Hey Guys,

I just got my MBA so if you need some insight, here's my 2 cents.

The MBA has not really helped me in my career as of yet. I'm only 24 and I, as many others do, view my MBA as a requirement for the job I am going to get a few years down the road, not anything immediate so that doesn't worry me. I was fortunate enough to have my university baseball scholarship to pay for it, so that aided in my decision to do it. Most of the students with me in class, however, had been in the workplace for several years and were having their respective companies foot the bill...this I highly recommend. I can't recommend jumping right into an MBA until you have a little work experience because honestly at 20, who knows what you are going to want to do when you get out of school. And, finding a good company to work for and who encourages graduate intiative programs a.k.a paying for your degree is a killer bonus.

As for ATP etc and what to do about your dream, read these forums religiously and the perspectives. If you keep tabs on the guys on this forum, you'll get a great sense of what the industry is like and how this is not something to just dive into with a $50,000 check handy. You really have to know what you are doing and experiment with it; read books, start your ppl etc..It's always been my dream to fly and, as I see it, though I may not be getting paid to fly, I am still livin my dream everytime I hop in the warrior and head out up the lake shore.

Just some thoughts, PM me if you need some MBA tips on schools etc...

cheers! · January 10th, 2006, 14:30

About MBA's, I'm thinking among London Business School, INSEAD, and IESE Business School.

I'm hopping I can save enough money to start my PPL next summer '07, I will be 22 yrs old.

Any books that can help me with the PPL or to know more about aviation?

G'luck to all of you too!!

MarkE · January 10th, 2006, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheers!

About MBA's, I'm thinking among London Business School, INSEAD, and IESE Business School.

I'm hopping I can save enough money to start my PPL next summer '07, I will be 22 yrs old.

Any books that can help me with the PPL or to know more about aviation?

G'luck to all of you too!!

One book that I can recommend the the Jeppesen Private Pilot Manual. I know there are many other good books out there was well but this would give you a start.

BoilerPilot2007 · January 10th, 2006, 19:27

How do airlines favor their labor (pilots), who may want to pursue a managerial position down the road, going back to school to get an MBA?

Anyone know?

braidkid · January 10th, 2006, 21:55

Hmmm, let's see....
Airline Pilot: low pay, gone all the time, job dependant on medical, low job security, etc...

MBA: increased job security, increased pay with job changes, more respect, home everynight, more money for toys..

Gee, I don't know, that's a tough one!!!

BoilerPilot2007 · January 10th, 2006, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by braidkid

Hmmm, let's see....
Airline Pilot: low pay, gone all the time, job dependant on medical, low job security, etc...

MBA: increased job security, increased pay with job changes, more respect, home everynight, more money for toys..

Gee, I don't know, that's a tough one!!!

True... but I think it's a little more complex than that for people who are very passionate about aviation - like myself. I wish it were that easy. It's my heart vs. my brain at this point. My heart is telling me to fly airplanes. My brain is telling me otherwise. I'm trying to come to a compromise here.

NTXPilot · January 11th, 2006, 11:59

Boiler,
I would be interested to know more about the question of pilots seeking management positions as well. I'm pretty much in the same fight with heart and brain. Trying to get the best of both worlds as well. Of course good ol' Gordon Bethune was a CEO and had a 767 type rating so thats pretty inspiring. Then again he also had a Harvard MBA.

Anyone,
Like Boiler, I'm trying to find the best of both worlds, I was curious about this as well. If a pilot had an MBA, anyone know the usual progress a pilot makes that would want to move into management later on down the road? After doing a little research it seems that VPs of Flight Ops in several companies were former pilots....is that the norm?

Dreampilot · January 11th, 2006, 12:30

I am curious as to whether or not your degree matters rather it is business admin. or aviation management. I mean does aviation management give you that much better of a edge?

braidkid · January 11th, 2006, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreampilot

I am curious as to whether or not your degree matters rather it is business admin. or aviation management. I mean does aviation management give you that much better of a edge?

All that is required for an airline job is to be able to check the box that says "college degree."

Now if you're asking whether aviation management or business admin matters in the real world, well that's another question.

cheers! · January 11th, 2006, 16:22

11 posts and still brain vs heart

BoilerPilot2007 · January 13th, 2006, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by NTXPilot

After doing a little research it seems that VPs of Flight Ops in several companies were former pilots....is that the norm?

Takes dedication, leadership, and contacts. It can be done, I'm sure.

BrettInLJ · January 13th, 2006, 01:17

I recently gave up a cush corporate job to do this full time. I have never been happier. If you are the type that will be in a corporate environment and want to just laugh at the useless B.S. that goes on and gets nauseated when you here a buzz word like "change agent" or "synergize", you will never be happy doing that if your dream is truly to fly, not matter how much money you are making.

Catherine · January 13th, 2006, 08:27

It very much is a heart vs. brain issue. I have pursued many different things in life and had a chance to do a lot before I got here to flight school and am now working my way through my ratings. The reason I'm here instead of somewhere else where the money potential could be greater: Because no matter what else I was doing, every time a plane flew over, my heart leapt up to it and I had to watch or even just listen as it flew over if I couldn't go and watch. Now that I'm here at school, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. I don't look at other people who aren't pilots with any disdain (hey, if everyone was supposed to be one, we'd have nobody to build or maintain them or create the business needed to have airlines!), but I certainly wouldn't want to swap what they are doing for what I am doing here and into the future. The office view can't be beat except for maybe by an astronaut and flying is just where I am supposed to be. I've had a few years out in the real world and it just wouldn't cut it for me. I'll make less money for a few years, sure....I'm taking on another debt, yes, but nothing beats being satisfied with what you do at the end of the day and loving to go to work or whatever. Sure, you'll deal with crappy things in any job and I've done that and you learn to deal with it and enjoy things anyway. I've taken the long way around on the journey and although mine wasn't an MBA that I looked at, I have made a change in my life that I believe will be for the better. Take some time and explore the possibilities in life and see. I knew I was supposed to fly from a very young age and it took a long time to find a way to do it the right way, but I wouldn't change a thing as I bring my experience with me here and into my future jobs. Find what you love to do....for me just having a job that would generate lots of money and never real satisfaction just doesn't work for me....you may not end up taking work home with you, but you do often take home headaches and dissatisfaction if you're not where you belong and that can make your time off a less fun than it should be.

....my two humble and very opinionated cents

Tom · January 15th, 2006, 21:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoilerPilot2007

Takes dedication, leadership, and contacts. It can be done, I'm sure.

And you have to be dedicated to destroying the pilot profession, lowering wages, eliminatng benefits and replacing older more experienced (read higher paid) pilots with low paid young pilots happy to work for crap wages and no retirement. In this day of union busting and pilot bashing, it is a rare quality to find an airline executive that doesn't blame workers, unions or the government as cover for poor decisions and an utter lack of leadership. There is a line between airline management and line pilots. Cross it at your own peril (spiritual not physical peril). Stay in the cockpit or go a different direction altogether. If you have a need to find greater fullfilment, become a volunteer fireman and EMT. It will provide the extra responsibility and satisfaction you seek. And the pilot profession is uniquly aligned with firefighting in many ways. The schedule allows you to participate in ways that a 9-5 job will not and the same skills that make a good pilot also make a good firefighter.

Tom

cheers! · January 22nd, 2006, 00:33

I've made my choice. I'm gonna learn to fly, but definitely, I'm going for the MBA with the dream to create my own airline: "Cheers! Airlines", lol.

I'll see you on the sky flyers!!

shooter13 · January 23rd, 2006, 23:22

Not what you are hoping to hear I imagine but look around this board. There are professional pilots a plenty who are miserable.

You love to fly and so do I. Get the job that pays the bills. Get the job that pays the bills and then some and buy yourself an airplane. Its a beat up old 150 for me right now but that will eventually be a Pitts. Just a matter of time...

If you chose heart, you will be happy for awhile till your heart changes and you are tired of making crappy wages flying the same routes.

Just my take.

SeanD · January 24th, 2006, 18:13

I am a Media Sales and Marketing exec and I hate that title, not to mention I have too many boss tpyes to deal with in one building and my life is turning into the movie Office Space. Captain Sean sounds much better to me. I am 32 and I start my PPL training next Tuesday. Whether I make it all the way to becoming a pilot? Who knows l will deffienetly let you all know the progress. Like someone said on the post it is hard to love your current job if all you think about is flying. Very true

Texguy · January 24th, 2006, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter13

Not what you are hoping to hear I imagine but look around this board. There are professional pilots a plenty who are miserable.

Yet some of the pilots here also love their job...

Tom · January 25th, 2006, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by shooter13

Not what you are hoping to hear I imagine but look around this board. There are professional pilots a plenty who are miserable.

You love to fly and so do I. Get the job that pays the bills. Get the job that pays the bills and then some and buy yourself an airplane. Its a beat up old 150 for me right now but that will eventually be a Pitts. Just a matter of time...

If you chose heart, you will be happy for awhile till your heart changes and you are tired of making crappy wages flying the same routes.

Just my take.

You are exactly right. I flew for the Navy for ten yrs, joined a major in 1998 and just left that for a non-flying aviation related position with a large US company. With the pensions going away or gone, the crappy wages and the continuing brutal competition, the working conditions at the majors will continue to suck for a long time. I'm 39, so I decided to make the move while I still could. I'm earning 50K more a year than if I had stayed with the airlines and I can use that money to rent whatever I want. I was home for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time in 18 years. I have three children and a wife and I was not going to continue to be an ATM for the overtaxed, poorly managed industry with no pricing power. I loved flying airplanes for a living, but it isnt much of a living anymore. I'm earning my MBA and within 10 yrs I plan to buy my own bugsmasher. Just don't be so quick to fantasize about flying for the majors or anybody else. Life on the road gets old and in the end, it's just a job. Focus on spending the time you have with your family and close freinds. When all is said and done, that small group of people are the only ones that give a hoot about you anyway. So often, we live our lives telling ourselves that life will really start when we get that raise or get that new job or buy that new home. Our happiness depends on some future event that we have little control over. Realize that this is your life! Flying may be part of it, but it cant be all of it. And with the state of the industry, it will be difficult to have a long and rewarding career if the compensation is so poor that you can't afford to live comfortably. Just make sure you really understand what the career of a pilot entails before you run off and quit a good job. It is probably not all that you think it is. Good luck, fair winds and following seas.
Tom

bigcat · January 26th, 2006, 03:15

I'm brand new to this forum. This is Great dialogue. Here's my story.

I am 40 yr old and spent over 10yrs in corporate america sitting at a desk.
Catherine and BrettinLJ have a great viewpoint, "heart vs. brain issue".

I live and work below an approach path to a major runway at an International Airport. I can not stand to be outside and not look up at the plane as it comes over head. I have the bug. Flying has been a wonderful experience from a recreational view point. On the other hand, I am frustrated with several yr.s of dealing with politics, reorganization every few months, long hours, being utilized outside your forte, and sacrificing your hard efforts for someone else's gain. The desk job comes with several good things, it's not all bad otherwise I would have departed long ago but I'm ready for a change.

After saying all that, my situation is a somewhat unique. My goal is to transition from my desk job to corporate jets within my company. I feel like I understand Tom's view point as well. I realize that sometimes we look beyond our own fences and think that the grass is greener on the other side. After my decade of changing experiences in the office, I too can say the office is not what it use to be either. It really all depends on what type of deal you get in that job and how it(the task required) changes as time and mangement changes in time.

As I said at this point in time, I am ready to roll the dice to an extent just to put myself in position to try walking in the other pasture. I would like to fly a jet (big or small) but if for some unforseen reason I don't make it. I will teach or ferry planes. I just want to fly. It's the passion for flying that draws me closer to that dream and the daily stress and depression from the desk work and politics that makes me want to flee from it. I prefer to fly for both a hobby and a job. Not particularly for the money but for the enjoyment of the job.

I know that I must be prudent in my decision making to find away to obtain all the ratings and the flight time required in a short period of time, but yet not leave the financial base that supports my family.

My thoughts is that you have to weigh the pros and cons of every situation and decide what's best for you in the interim and the long term. Hopefuly I will develop a plan that will get me there!

I appreciate all the various view points shared. I hope that one day I can report to you that my dream came through and see each of you relize your dreams come true as well. If you have any suggestions for me feel free to respond. Or you have seen someone go through a unique opportunity like this let me know.

Bigcat

SeanD · January 26th, 2006, 13:06

In the same style corporate boat as you Bigcat and I am so over it. I know what comes with being a pilot. I saw my father miss many holidays, birthdays, ect ect but he was happy and loved his job and always made it up to us one way or another. I know things are a lot different now in the industry then they were when he was flying but I have faith it will get better. Im excited to start my training next week. I have every intention of finishing it and becoming an airline pilot before I turn 40 = ) Good luck to you Big , see you at the finish line.

Cheers

Texguy · January 26th, 2006, 13:38

This has been an interesting thread, especially Tom's input. Welcome Bigcat. You remind me of "Heath" from here, a family man who left the corporate world and got a job with Colgan after about 5 months of flight instructing.

January 10th, 2006, 11:15	#1
cheers! Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8	Airline pilot or MBA? Hi fellows, I'm 20 yrs old and studying Business Administration. In two years I'm going to get my BS degree. After getting my BS degree, I'm thinking to get my PPL at my local FBO. Then, I'll have to choose between: persuing my dream to become an airline pilot or study an MBA at Europe , lol Now, I have considerable free time at college, so I would like to know what I can read to learn more or just to get advance of my free time. About being an airline pilot, do you recommend me to go to the big schools like Pan-am, PEA, ATP, etc? or where to go? So, I would like to receive some wise advise from you guys. Cheers!!

January 10th, 2006, 13:37	#4
Goldmember Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisville, KY. Posts: 149	Hey Guys, I just got my MBA so if you need some insight, here's my 2 cents. The MBA has not really helped me in my career as of yet. I'm only 24 and I, as many others do, view my MBA as a requirement for the job I am going to get a few years down the road, not anything immediate so that doesn't worry me. I was fortunate enough to have my university baseball scholarship to pay for it, so that aided in my decision to do it. Most of the students with me in class, however, had been in the workplace for several years and were having their respective companies foot the bill...this I highly recommend. I can't recommend jumping right into an MBA until you have a little work experience because honestly at 20, who knows what you are going to want to do when you get out of school. And, finding a good company to work for and who encourages graduate intiative programs a.k.a paying for your degree is a killer bonus. As for ATP etc and what to do about your dream, read these forums religiously and the perspectives. If you keep tabs on the guys on this forum, you'll get a great sense of what the industry is like and how this is not something to just dive into with a $50,000 check handy. You really have to know what you are doing and experiment with it; read books, start your ppl etc..It's always been my dream to fly and, as I see it, though I may not be getting paid to fly, I am still livin my dream everytime I hop in the warrior and head out up the lake shore. Just some thoughts, PM me if you need some MBA tips on schools etc... __________________ What are we going to do tonight brain? --Same thing we do every night Pinky, try and take over the world.

January 10th, 2006, 19:27	#7
BoilerPilot2007 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 444	How do airlines favor their labor (pilots), who may want to pursue a managerial position down the road, going back to school to get an MBA? Anyone know? __________________ http://www.setlovefree.com

January 11th, 2006, 12:30	#11
Dreampilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 137	Same situation I am curious as to whether or not your degree matters rather it is business admin. or aviation management. I mean does aviation management give you that much better of a edge?

January 13th, 2006, 01:17	#15
BrettInLJ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Home:SFO Work:MSP Posts: 1,035	I recently gave up a cush corporate job to do this full time. I have never been happier. If you are the type that will be in a corporate environment and want to just laugh at the useless B.S. that goes on and gets nauseated when you here a buzz word like "change agent" or "synergize", you will never be happy doing that if your dream is truly to fly, not matter how much money you are making. __________________ My flight training blog: http://airbrett.blogspot.com/

January 10th, 2006, 11:45	#2
Chaz Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 68	Hi, You are almost in the same situation as me. I was considering going for an MBA but I realized that a B.S. degree in Aviation Management is plenty to get any sort of managerial position in aviation. I am concentrated on my academics right now and will pursue my flight training back home during the summer. I personally don't like big flight schools so it is really up to you. I would definitely do an internship one summer to see what an airline career is like because I hear that it is the most rewarding experience you will have as a pilot outside of any job. I hope I helped

January 10th, 2006, 12:11	#3
NTXPilot Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 73	Welcome aboard. This seems to be a popular dilemma, because I'm right there with y'all. I'm gonna take the GMAT, see how I do and go from there. If I get a good score then I might entertain the possibility of going to some "better" schools. If not, then stay right where I am. I graduate in May. My feeling is I might as well get the MBA; it's only a few more years. Then do what ya want.

January 10th, 2006, 14:30	#5
cheers! Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8	About MBA's, I'm thinking among London Business School, INSEAD, and IESE Business School. I'm hopping I can save enough money to start my PPL next summer '07, I will be 22 yrs old. Any books that can help me with the PPL or to know more about aviation? G'luck to all of you too!!

January 10th, 2006, 21:55	#8
braidkid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 556	Hmmm, let's see.... Airline Pilot: low pay, gone all the time, job dependant on medical, low job security, etc... MBA: increased job security, increased pay with job changes, more respect, home everynight, more money for toys.. Gee, I don't know, that's a tough one!!!

January 11th, 2006, 11:59	#10
NTXPilot Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 73	Boiler, I would be interested to know more about the question of pilots seeking management positions as well. I'm pretty much in the same fight with heart and brain. Trying to get the best of both worlds as well. Of course good ol' Gordon Bethune was a CEO and had a 767 type rating so thats pretty inspiring. Then again he also had a Harvard MBA. Anyone, Like Boiler, I'm trying to find the best of both worlds, I was curious about this as well. If a pilot had an MBA, anyone know the usual progress a pilot makes that would want to move into management later on down the road? After doing a little research it seems that VPs of Flight Ops in several companies were former pilots....is that the norm?

January 11th, 2006, 16:22	#13
cheers! Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8	11 posts and still brain vs heart

January 13th, 2006, 08:27	#16
Catherine Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 149	It very much is a heart vs. brain issue. I have pursued many different things in life and had a chance to do a lot before I got here to flight school and am now working my way through my ratings. The reason I'm here instead of somewhere else where the money potential could be greater: Because no matter what else I was doing, every time a plane flew over, my heart leapt up to it and I had to watch or even just listen as it flew over if I couldn't go and watch. Now that I'm here at school, I know I'm where I'm supposed to be. I don't look at other people who aren't pilots with any disdain (hey, if everyone was supposed to be one, we'd have nobody to build or maintain them or create the business needed to have airlines!), but I certainly wouldn't want to swap what they are doing for what I am doing here and into the future. The office view can't be beat except for maybe by an astronaut and flying is just where I am supposed to be. I've had a few years out in the real world and it just wouldn't cut it for me. I'll make less money for a few years, sure....I'm taking on another debt, yes, but nothing beats being satisfied with what you do at the end of the day and loving to go to work or whatever. Sure, you'll deal with crappy things in any job and I've done that and you learn to deal with it and enjoy things anyway. I've taken the long way around on the journey and although mine wasn't an MBA that I looked at, I have made a change in my life that I believe will be for the better. Take some time and explore the possibilities in life and see. I knew I was supposed to fly from a very young age and it took a long time to find a way to do it the right way, but I wouldn't change a thing as I bring my experience with me here and into my future jobs. Find what you love to do....for me just having a job that would generate lots of money and never real satisfaction just doesn't work for me....you may not end up taking work home with you, but you do often take home headaches and dissatisfaction if you're not where you belong and that can make your time off a less fun than it should be. ....my two humble and very opinionated cents __________________ Catherine "A pilot can't help second-guessing every other pilot; it's an occupational disease. Sorry" Richard Ames, THE CAT WHO WALKS THROUGH WALLS Instructor at Ari Ben Aviator

January 22nd, 2006, 00:33	#18
cheers! Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 8	I've made my choice. I'm gonna learn to fly, but definitely, I'm going for the MBA with the dream to create my own airline: "Cheers! Airlines", lol. I'll see you on the sky flyers!!

January 23rd, 2006, 23:22	#19
shooter13 Old Skool Join Date: May 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,952	Brain Not what you are hoping to hear I imagine but look around this board. There are professional pilots a plenty who are miserable. You love to fly and so do I. Get the job that pays the bills. Get the job that pays the bills and then some and buy yourself an airplane. Its a beat up old 150 for me right now but that will eventually be a Pitts. Just a matter of time... If you chose heart, you will be happy for awhile till your heart changes and you are tired of making crappy wages flying the same routes. Just my take.

January 24th, 2006, 18:13	#20
SeanD Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KLAS Posts: 3,261	I am a Media Sales and Marketing exec and I hate that title, not to mention I have too many boss tpyes to deal with in one building and my life is turning into the movie Office Space. Captain Sean sounds much better to me. I am 32 and I start my PPL training next Tuesday. Whether I make it all the way to becoming a pilot? Who knows l will deffienetly let you all know the progress. Like someone said on the post it is hard to love your current job if all you think about is flying. Very true

January 26th, 2006, 03:15	#23
bigcat Newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 27	Airline Pilot vs. Corporate Job I'm brand new to this forum. This is Great dialogue. Here's my story. I am 40 yr old and spent over 10yrs in corporate america sitting at a desk. Catherine and BrettinLJ have a great viewpoint, "heart vs. brain issue". I live and work below an approach path to a major runway at an International Airport. I can not stand to be outside and not look up at the plane as it comes over head. I have the bug. Flying has been a wonderful experience from a recreational view point. On the other hand, I am frustrated with several yr.s of dealing with politics, reorganization every few months, long hours, being utilized outside your forte, and sacrificing your hard efforts for someone else's gain. The desk job comes with several good things, it's not all bad otherwise I would have departed long ago but I'm ready for a change. After saying all that, my situation is a somewhat unique. My goal is to transition from my desk job to corporate jets within my company. I feel like I understand Tom's view point as well. I realize that sometimes we look beyond our own fences and think that the grass is greener on the other side. After my decade of changing experiences in the office, I too can say the office is not what it use to be either. It really all depends on what type of deal you get in that job and how it(the task required) changes as time and mangement changes in time. As I said at this point in time, I am ready to roll the dice to an extent just to put myself in position to try walking in the other pasture. I would like to fly a jet (big or small) but if for some unforseen reason I don't make it. I will teach or ferry planes. I just want to fly. It's the passion for flying that draws me closer to that dream and the daily stress and depression from the desk work and politics that makes me want to flee from it. I prefer to fly for both a hobby and a job. Not particularly for the money but for the enjoyment of the job. I know that I must be prudent in my decision making to find away to obtain all the ratings and the flight time required in a short period of time, but yet not leave the financial base that supports my family. My thoughts is that you have to weigh the pros and cons of every situation and decide what's best for you in the interim and the long term. Hopefuly I will develop a plan that will get me there! I appreciate all the various view points shared. I hope that one day I can report to you that my dream came through and see each of you relize your dreams come true as well. If you have any suggestions for me feel free to respond. Or you have seen someone go through a unique opportunity like this let me know. Bigcat

January 26th, 2006, 13:06	#24
SeanD Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: KLAS Posts: 3,261	In the same style corporate boat as you Bigcat and I am so over it. I know what comes with being a pilot. I saw my father miss many holidays, birthdays, ect ect but he was happy and loved his job and always made it up to us one way or another. I know things are a lot different now in the industry then they were when he was flying but I have faith it will get better. Im excited to start my training next week. I have every intention of finishing it and becoming an airline pilot before I turn 40 = ) Good luck to you Big , see you at the finish line. Cheers

January 26th, 2006, 13:38	#25
Texguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: KAUS Posts: 850	This has been an interesting thread, especially Tom's input. Welcome Bigcat. You remind me of "Heath" from here, a family man who left the corporate world and got a job with Colgan after about 5 months of flight instructing.

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