Quit six figure job for a passion...

[TexasFlyer]

This is a link to someone's freedom! Great article that many of us can relate too with a good link to discussions after the article (I know I sure can relate)...

http://men.msn.com/articlemh.aspx?cp...2433279&page=1

[wheelsup]

Good article! I flew with a lot of career changers during my stint as a CFI, they all pretty much had the same thing to say. The only thing I would like to point out is folks like the guy in the article are probably set up to take the pay cut - lots of savings, no mortgage, paid off cars, etc. Just something to think about. I watched a few "career changers" walk into the regional world with lots of debt.

[Minnesota_Flyer]

I was cast in a Noggin commercial as a business executive (damn typecasting!).

Sadly, I've seen those commercials many, many times.

[Toria]

Sometimes jumping with both feet is the best move that can be made. Life is indeed very short, waiting might not be worth it in the entire scheme of things.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Toria

Sometimes jumping with both feet is the best move that can be made. Life is indeed very short, waiting might not be worth it in the entire scheme of things.

Sometimes I secretly wish I'd be 'let go', 'downsized', whatever term you want to use. It would really make some decisions much easier....

In the meantime, coffee's done as well as laundry. Must get moving to work...... Back to dayshift after 5+ years of the dreaded nights......

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by JEP

Sometimes I secretly wish I'd be 'let go', 'downsized', whatever term you want to use. It would really make some decisions much easier....

[clumpinglitter]

Originally Posted by ComplexHiAv8r

[Minnesota_Flyer]

Originally Posted by clumpinglitter

[DAnbert]

man

[Toria]

Originally Posted by JEP

Sometimes I secretly wish I'd be 'let go', 'downsized', whatever term you want to use. It would really make some decisions much easier....

And "what if" your self to the grave.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Originally Posted by JEP

Sometimes I secretly wish I'd be 'let go', 'downsized', whatever term you want to use. It would really make some decisions much easier....

In the meantime, coffee's done as well as laundry. Must get moving to work...... Back to dayshift after 5+ years of the dreaded nights......

JEP, please send me you bosses name and number....I can assist! Then you can come here and kick my....... for what I am not doing.

[MQAAord]

Guys, don't make the wish for someone else to 'make' the decision for you.

I've been furloughed twice, and it was NOT sunshine & roses. It was the end of everything I'd ever known in my entire professional life. I've made the best of it, sure. I'm totally happy with what my life has turned out as, but I wish that leaving had been my choice. Not cast aside like yesterday's garbage, un-needed and unwanted.

The panic, uncertainty, sick-to-your-stomach feeling of furlough/layoff is not something I would wish on anyone here. Don't wish it on yourself.

[Coney]

Originally Posted by TexasFlyer

This is a link to someone's freedom! Great article that many of us can relate too with a good link to discussions after the article (I know I sure can relate)...

http://men.msn.com/articlemh.aspx?cp...2433279&page=1

Hey, TexasFlyer. Great article. Thanks for sharing it. I can sort of relate to it, too. While I've never made six figures, I did leave a job in the banking arena with a comfy salary and full benefits to go full throttle with aviation. I decided to use my new CFI ticket full time. Sure, the money is absolutely awful, but I'm a way better pilot than I was when I started instructing. That's for sure. All of my students who earn handsome salaries have told me they wish they could do what I do for a living. "You can!" I reply. "Yeah, but they money..." They often reply. Truth is, it's a choice. I choose to fly. And who knows? With any luck, the money will come later.

[greaper007]

I would probably quit my "passion" for six figures .

[DAnbert]

Originally Posted by MQAAord

Guys, don't make the wish for someone else to 'make' the decision for you.

I've been furloughed twice, and it was NOT sunshine & roses. It was the end of everything I'd ever known in my entire professional life. I've made the best of it, sure. I'm totally happy with what my life has turned out as, but I wish that leaving had been my choice. Not cast aside like yesterday's garbage, un-needed and unwanted.

The panic, uncertainty, sick-to-your-stomach feeling of furlough/layoff is not something I would wish on anyone here. Don't wish it on yourself.

My backing of his comment is based on the idea that I myself will not up and quit to make things happen if I am "secure" and "comfortable". so for some one to make the decision for me, is to make me take action.

[SkyKing]

Originally Posted by greaper007

I would probably quit my "passion" for six figures .

Yes, and then when you get all comfy you will miss your passion. Trust me I know what I'm talking about.

[TexasFlyer]

Originally Posted by greaper007

I would probably quit my "passion" for six figures .

My job will be open in a few months so I could be a starving pilot. So I need to start looking to replace me in a few months. Want to be an Aviation Recruiter?

Minimum compensation you'll earn in my Director level position is $102k to stay employed in your second year. Your first year can be anywhere from $60k to $120k or better to stay employed since it'll take a little time to ramp up. Peform at a lesser level at any point in your career and you'll have no job the next year. I been doing this almost 4 years under these terms, so it is possible. But, read major stress in this job since this will linger over your head every day! You should really do $105k to $145k range in reality (but we do have one person doing around a quarter million a year!).

Qualifications are simple. Solid knowledge of corporate aviation indusrty (MROs, FBOs, and Part 91/135 Ops). Some college (degree preferred but not required). And have either have a solid sales background with good achievements, a recruiting background with premier candidate sourcing skills from cold calling/ networking, or a similar background with strong accomplishments. Or just convince me you can do my job well and lead the team I have in place. Oh, and you have to live in San Antonio since that's where my team is.

PM me if you want your six figure job...

[shooter13]

I opted to keep the 6 fig job instead of flying. After I did my private and was building time to start instrument, I basically decided I really liked making good money and staying home with family. I can afford a great house and nice boat.
I think what convinced me that maybe working a job you don't like but that pays well was the trip I took my family on to the Olympics last year. No way in Hades would I be able to do that anytime in the next decade were I to career change. As it is, we are going to the next winter games. My daughter is spending spring break in the Bahamas and she will be able to go to any college she desires.

Life is all about trade offs. in return for providing all of that for my family, I work a job I am not thrilled with but with a great company. I may not enjoy the days at my work but I sure enjoy my time with my family. I'll be buying or building again in the not too distant future and will get myself back in the air. Though truth be told, I don't think I love it like I once did. Now I see pilots in the airport and all I think about are union politics, layover hotels and missed holidays. Sorry but for now I will stick with automation and controls over that mess.

I guess my point however disjointed it may be, is that someone with a solid income needs to truly evaluate what you are giving up to fly. I can't fathom a $45,000 income. I know most of you are cussing me & I know I did it just fine when I was in the navy but if I think that it would be tough. Imagine a paycut down to the poverty line CFI wages a person would take. Just think it through.

[Tristan]

Originally Posted by Toria

And "what if" your self to the grave.

....as in not what to do, well for me anyways.

[juskl]

Every dream requires sacrifice. Question is, can the dream live up to level of sacrifice? The answer is Yes.... as long as you make your dream a reality. This website has been awesome for me and 100's of others in researching, dreaming and finally, throwing caution to the wind and leaping.

You can do whatever you want to in life. The only inhibitor.....you.... There are alot of us who left in our thirty somethings and are "living the dream".... yeah that saying gets old.... as do we.... You can make it. And probably not have to sacrifice too much... with one major exception... the security of it all.

When I left my job, I was making close to 90's, benefits, 20 year retirement the works..... But I wasn't as happy and satisfied as I should be. No kids, no wife and very little commitments.... and off I went. The reality is that you will question your decision... no doubt about it. And at the beginning it is very unnerving (the lack of security, not the flying). But after you are instructing for a few months and you start getting good at it, you finally realize that this truly was a great decision.....

Consider instructing as a paid internship at first... Because that is about what the money equals. After a while though, you can do ok. Like many of us, if you have some retirement accounts to help you live through the lack of funds times, your quality of life should not change too much.

Then, just do what you love and then the money will follow. If not, at least you are doing what you love........

Good luck and let the games begin......

[greaper007]

Well I still plan on making six figures with this job. My Dad has since 1986. Right now it's tough making 20,000 but I'm only 26 and my fiance makes 60,000 so we're doing ok, even in Ct. I figure by my mid 30's I'll be pushing a 100k. Hopefully by my mid forties I'll be well into the six figures and working a 3 day schedule. Like I said my Dad has a portfolio that's well into 7 figures as a pilot. Granted he got on with a great airline pretty early in their history. I don't think these jobs are completely gone though, they're just in hibernation.

[88MPH]

One doesn't jump from making 30K to 60K and automatically KNOW what to do with the extra money. Sure, cars, clothes, etc ... but I'm talking lifestyle. I know some folks hoarding all their money into savings, simply because they don't know what else to do with it, and are comfortable in their low-budget simple lifestyle.

Same principle if you flip the coin. Granted, its easier to get comfortable with money than it is without. So the transition is merely the shock of the cold water. Swim around for a bit, and you'll "warm up" to the water. If you stick it through, and don't hold on to the "past" of sitting beside the pool under the shade tree, enduring the shock of the lifestyle change will be 100% worth it.

[calcapt]

I too had the passion to fly early on and decided to go for it. From a practical standpoint, I was crazy for jumping into this unknown world that would require more of me and my family than I ever imagined. I second guessed myself many times over the years but today I live my passion -AND- have my comfortable six figure income as well. I am a "go for your dreams" kind of guy and I have many close friends today that thank me on a regular basis for offering that same advice to them years ago. I can't imagine being older and watching the contrails overhead wondering what might have been.

[BillH]

I'm in the ATC CTI program, I've already decided to screw ATC and become a pilot, I have 12 credits left to finish that I simply won't do, going to use that money to help pay for ATP. I've been exposed enough to ATC to know I won't be happy doing that job. Everyone in that program is doing it for the money. They are making a mistake and don't even realize it yet. I feel like a million bucks right now having realized that I WILL live my childhood dream.

[calcapt]

Originally Posted by BillH

I'm in the ATC CTI program, I've already decided to screw ATC and become a pilot, I have 12 credits left to finish that I simply won't do, going to use that money to help pay for ATP. I've been exposed enough to ATC to know I won't be happy doing that job. Everyone in that program is doing it for the money. They are making a mistake and don't even realize it yet. I feel like a million bucks right now having realized that I WILL live my childhood dream.

Bill, I suspect in 10 years when you are sitting in the captains seat that you will look back on this decision and be thankful you had the courage to make it.
Enjoy your new career.