Late 20's and confused!?!

[PGA07]

From reading previous posts some of you may know that I was brought up in the aviation community. After being around it for my entire childhood, I decided to go off and do other things. Now that I am in my late 20's and have had jobs that I loved and others that I only took for the money, I am dealing with a problem a lot of people have, NOW WHAT?

I am getting back into this aviation thing with goals that I have outlined. Reaching these goals would make me very happy and I would have a great career. Yet, there are other opportunities that just may come up, all of which I would enjoy!

For those of you who have advanced into this career and have several years behind you, I ask "If given the opportunity to enter this field, given its current state, would you do it?"

Or after seeing where aviation as a whole may be headed, would you possibly steer clear, or even hold out for a year or two to see what takes place within the community (given the volitility of this field)?

Just something I thought I would bring up!

[PGA07]

I have to admit...........I thought I would get a few more votes than 4, with the number of people who looked at this. I am just trying to feel things out and get some honest feedback. You know.........see what you all may lean towards.

[Ian J]

I voted for the PGA thing. If that's a dream of yours and if you're good, why not give it a shot? They'll always be opportunities to fly or be a fishing guide.

I'm choosing to fly because that's my strongest passion. If I had a stronger passion, I'd probably pick that.

Good luck!

[cignaguy]

29 and confused....yep, that's me. The one thing I am not confused about is that I hate my current job. Good money, but I can't keep doing this and have to get out quickly. I have been considering flying full time or getting into law enforcement. I believe I would be happy in both. However, the law enforcement career is a bit more stable and secure, so I am interviewing for that right now. I have an interview for a Dallas police officer position this weekend, so we shall see how that goes.

I just hope that if I get into law enforcement, that I don't always have that "aviation career bug" in the back of my mind. I plan to finish my PPL regardless.

Good luck and know that there are plenty of people in a very similar situation!

[PGA07]

Originally Posted by cignaguy

29 and confused....yep, that's me. The one thing I am not confused about is that I hate my current job. Good money, but I can't keep doing this and have to get out quickly. I have been considering flying full time or getting into law enforcement. I believe I would be happy in both. However, the law enforcement career is a bit more stable and secure, so I am interviewing for that right now. I have an interview for a Dallas police officer position this weekend, so we shall see how that goes.

I just hope that if I get into law enforcement, that I don't always have that "aviation career bug" in the back of my mind. I plan to finish my PPL regardless.

Good luck and know that there are plenty of people in a very similar situation!

Good luck with the Dallas LE interview. Great department! You may have read in another post, I did not pass my BI for a department and they won't tell me why.

Think I figured it out though! Let a good friend stay with us when he and his girl split (trying to be a good friend). Well, last Friday he reported for 90 days, to serve on multiple DUI's from back in college. That stuff just went through the courts.

I am almost certain that this is the reason. My letter stating that I did not pass and his reporting came in the same week!

[cignaguy]

Wait, so one of the people you put as a reference is serving 90 days? And you think that is what DQ'd you? Guess I am a bit confused. However, BI's can be tricky and you'll never know what did you in.

I just got out (rejected) of the process for a federal intelligence job. I had been in the process for a year. All of the agencies are like black boxes and you'll never know the reason. Just gotta trust their judgement I suppose.

I've heard Dallas is a great group of people. It should be an interesting process and a busy weekend!

[PGA07]

Funny thing is...........I know of several people in LE now who failed the BI multiple times. One failed a BI and two weeks later was offered a job with another agency. Funny how it all works!

[cignaguy]

Yup, classic. None of them is ever consistent.

[AirborneMedic_ANGa10]

Make it big on tour, and buy your own airplane.

[PGA07]

Originally Posted by AirborneMedic_ANGa10

Make it big on tour, and buy your own airplane.

MUCH EASIER said than done!

That is one of the reasons I am having this contemplation within myself. There are so many good players out there, trying to do make it that the difference between getting even your Nationwide Tour Card and not having any place to play is the difference in dropping one putt, miss hitting one shot, wind gusting at the wrong time or just plain lousy luck!

I truely believe that it is probably the most difficult sport to take to the elite level! There are no scouts, there is no draft, it is just you!

At least with flying, I know there will be a job out there for me. It may not pay what I would like, it may take forever to get into the a/c that I want, but there will be a job.

[fly22]

If you can find a medium ground that works take it. I took it and would take it again. I always wanted to be an airline pilot. The older I get the less I want to do it. I make a great living, take off two months a year. Golf whenever I want to, fish whenever I want, pretty much do whatever I want when I want. I own my own plane and have lots of fun in life. Personally I came to the conclusion that I might not ever make it a reality to fly becuase of other better oportunities. The part I struggle with is I made it a goal to be one and I havent accomplished the goal. If I could find a lear job 1 day a week I'd be perfect. You can learn to like anything if it pays well enough. Thats my thought on it. Do something that you like enough to keep you motivated in life. For me it has changed from what it was when I was a kid up to my early 20's. I know this doesnt help but its how I see the world.

[avi8tor]

I say head back up to Kenora and open up your own fishing charter, then buy a beaver on floats and enjoy life. I mean what's better than fishing, and drinking beer on a beautiful lake.

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by fly22

You can learn to like anything if it pays well enough.

I could not disagree more with that statement.

[fly22]

Originally Posted by cignaguy

I could not disagree more with that statement.

Thats fine. I'm just explaining how I see the world, not saying anyone else has to see it that way.

[meritflyer]

Originally Posted by cignaguy

I could not disagree more with that statement.

Agreed 100%.

Look at me and my profession.

[bdhill1979]

Having been a fly fishing guide for the last 8 years I can tell you this:

You can't make a real living on it.

Sure I have days where I make rent and bills for the whole month. But then there are the off season months of no trips at all. It really is feast or famine. The company that I do most of my guiding for (I work for 4 different outfits) is by far the busiest in this state, Park City tourism is pretty big. But they still don't have trips consistently. They were calling me everyday in late April, early may. But there have been none for the last three weeks.

It also sucks to be ####### out something you love day in and day out. I was on the river over 150 days last year. I think I only fished for myself 3 times. I'm pretty burnt out on guiding.

I have not known a fly shop that is truly profitable, most are just scraping by, most don't last 5 years.

not that you cant have fun doing it, but its nothing to rely on.

[fly22]

Originally Posted by meritflyer

Agreed 100%.

Look at me and my profession.

Then you are not making enough for what Im refering to.

There are a lot of crap jobs that I would do if they paid right. When I say pay well I don't think we are refering to the same dollar amount. There are things I don't like about my current profession but I love the pay and freedom and like I said earlier you can "like" anything if it pays "you" right.
Your definition of right is different then mine.

[meritflyer]

Originally Posted by fly22

Then you are not making enough for what Im refering to.

There are a lot of crap jobs that I would do if they paid right. When I say pay well I don't think we are refering to the same dollar amount. There are things I don't like about my current profession but I love the pay and freedom and like I said earlier you can "like" anything if it pays "you" right.
Your definition of right is different then mine.

We may have different views on this one so I'll explain.

I hold a job that new college grads and MBAs dream of. We get over 500 applications in the US for 2-5 positions. Our starting reps make mid 100's.
I personally make a very healthy living but no matter what they pay me, how easy I have it, or how good I am at it, I still want out. I wake everyday and think to myself "here we go again".

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by meritflyer

"......no matter what they pay me, how easy I have it, or how good I am at it, I still want out. I wake everyday and think to myself "here we go again".

Sounds way too familiar. No amount of money could make me like what I do.

[future777captain]

Aviation is a volitaile industry but the need for air transportation will never cease. As a professional pilot you will be able to lfy planes in any country in the world for any airline. Best profession in the world.

[skidz]

Originally Posted by future777captain

Aviation is a volitaile industry but the need for air transportation will never cease. As a professional pilot you will be able to lfy planes in any country in the world for any airline. Best profession in the world.

This is the best quote I've heard in a while, I agree 100%