In, out, back in?

[Freightdog1]

any of you career changers out there got out of aviation, then got back in after some years gone by only to regret it??

[MusketeerMan]

That's what she said.

(The Office).

Never mind...

[sschlesinger]

I had over 19 hours that I put in about 3 years ago but 1st wife made me stop saying that aviation was consuming me. Then I got remarried last year to a different lady and she is very supportive of me getting my ppl to cfi which is what I really want. I helps to have a partner who is supportive in something you really want to do.

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by Freightdog1

any of you career changers out there got out of aviation, then got back in after some years gone by only to regret it??

Could you expand a bit on the derivation of this question? I, along with other aspiring career changers, would probably benefit from knowing how you are feeling, decisions you are going through (or have gone through), and factors affecting the decisions.

Thanks!

[Freightdog1]

Well let's see, I have my comm, multi, inst, cfi, but not my ATP. I was flying 727s as FO for Ryan Intl. Got furloughed in Aug 2001 after we lost the Postal contract to Fed Ex. 9/11 happened and changed everything. I got into buying real estate, housing rentals, mini-storage, car washes, subdivision development,etc. Lots of assets and debt. I'm in business w/ my brother and some company/personal disagreements have come between us and I feel we're headed in diff directions.
I like being home w/wife and baby, being my own boss, taking time off whenever needed, but I just don't know how much longer I can last with the crap. I help manage around $3 million in assets, have increased my own net worth. Last yr. the co. gross income was almost 50K/month but most of that goes to the bank (debt service). Someday it'll all be paid off though. My W-2 wages were only $18,000 in 2006.
I went flying in a 172 with an instructor for the 1st. time since 2001 and things came back quickly but I was awfully rusty. Instructor told me that I still "had it" . Didn't do much inst. stuff but my scan was slllllooooooww.
I have around 1550 Total Time, 1200 multi (1150 of that is 727 s.i.c time) yes the math is correct I was in the right seat with 400 T.T. and 50 multi. also have 650 F.E. time not included in total.
I want to fly corp. but don't have the time, could go regional but don't know what that would do to family life at home. Wife supports me with whatever I want to do, she says if I want to fly, then fly. If I want to do something else that's fine too. I don't want to get back into flying and regret leaving what I have in terms of QOL. I guess I could go regional now, build time and continue looking for that perfect (yeah right) corp. gig.
I don't even know if I could pass a sim eval or even an interview right now without a lot of brushing up.

p.s. Where's the best place to get your ATP written/ rating?
Thanks

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by Freightdog1

Well let's see, I have my comm, multi, inst, cfi, but not my ATP. I was flying 727s as FO for Ryan Intl. Got furloughed in Aug 2001 after we lost the Postal contract to Fed Ex. 9/11 happened and changed everything. I got into buying real estate, housing rentals, mini-storage, car washes, subdivision development,etc. Lots of assets and debt. I'm in business w/ my brother and some company/personal disagreements have come between us and I feel we're headed in diff directions.
I like being home w/wife and baby, being my own boss, taking time off whenever needed, but I just don't know how much longer I can last with the crap. I help manage around $3 million in assets, have increased my own net worth. Last yr. the co. gross income was almost 50K/month but most of that goes to the bank (debt service). Someday it'll all be paid off though. My W-2 wages were only $18,000 in 2006.
I went flying in a 172 with an instructor for the 1st. time since 2001 and things came back quickly but I was awfully rusty. Instructor told me that I still "had it" . Didn't do much inst. stuff but my scan was slllllooooooww.
I have around 1550 Total Time, 1200 multi (1150 of that is 727 s.i.c time) yes the math is correct I was in the right seat with 400 T.T. and 50 multi. also have 650 F.E. time not included in total.
I want to fly corp. but don't have the time, could go regional but don't know what that would do to family life at home. Wife supports me with whatever I want to do, she says if I want to fly, then fly. If I want to do something else that's fine too. I don't want to get back into flying and regret leaving what I have in terms of QOL. I guess I could go regional now, build time and continue looking for that perfect (yeah right) corp. gig.
I don't even know if I could pass a sim eval or even an interview right now without a lot of brushing up.

p.s. Where's the best place to get your ATP written/ rating?
Thanks

So why not do some brushing up, knock off the rust, and go for it? Do you like flying more than what you are doing now?

I have a great QOL, but I hate my job. It is a secure job, and I could keep moving up, but as I sit in my cube each day doing calculations and crunching the numbers, my stomach hurts. I can't stand the thought of staying at the job, or any job like it, for the next 30 years. I am very willing to give up $72K/year for $22K/year. Happiness is extremely valuable in my decision, so I guess you just have to find out what it is worth in your decision.

I am sure you could be back to the quality of flying you were at before....in very little time. I wish I had all of those ratings! I am working on my PPL and just started learning VORs and they are confusing the heck out of me for some reason!

Well, best of luck and make sure you are happy in the long run. It is awesome that your wife supports you!

[Stone Cold]

Freightdog1,

I kinda did the same thing as you...got all my ratings, took a 9 year break, and am now back in the business. For me, so far, it has been worth it. I don't have much time now, but will try to write more later.

As far as the ATP written, if you're not in a rush, go buy the Gleim CD and go through it an hour or two every day. If you're in a rush, I highly recommend AllATP's prep. You can go get your ATP at most places...again, ATP has a decent, quick program. I did not go through their ATP, but did the MEI/II add-on with them and did fine. They get you through quick...that's what they pride themselves on.

Since you've been out of the game for a while, you might want to take your time at a local FBO that can work with you to get you back up to speed.

Good luck and I'll try to write more later.

[falconvalley]

One of my friends got back into "it" after a 10 year hiatus as a truck driver. This was around 1999-2000. He went from flight instructor to jump pilot to flight school owner to part-time charter pilot. After about 5 years, his girlfriend convinced him to get back into truck driving. I haven't heard from him since.

[Freightdog1]

I'm just wondering if now is the time to get back in. I keep reading "pilot shortage, cfi's needed, the majors are hiring, regionals lowering mins to get pilots" Maybe I shouldn't worry about timing, trying to time the stock market burns you every time.
decisions, decisions.

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by Freightdog1

I'm just wondering if now is the time to get back in. I keep reading "pilot shortage, cfi's needed, the majors are hiring, regionals lowering mins to get pilots" Maybe I shouldn't worry about timing, trying to time the stock market burns you every time.
decisions, decisions.

I'm sure you read my PM. You see how timing it works. I got out the last down-turn, and got back in it in 2003 (officially), so don't go by all the hype. If you want back in, do it when it works for you and your family and go for it all. Do not look back, or you'll second guess yourself to the loony bin!!

[Allbert]

By the sound of it you are purchasing and managing commercial and other investment real estate and businesses. Why dont you try to arrange or reduce the assets such that you can manage them part time while holding a flying job? I am returning to flying too, 10 years away from it. You have the experience to step back in at a reasonable level after a little brushing up. Try doing the instrument flying after 10 years away. Holding patterns? yeah I remember hearing about them before.