Getting out of the cube and into the air...

[Wing_96]

I too am trying to make a move from an I.T. job to a flying career. I know that my wife will support me, but that said, she is not going to let me sell the farm either. Is anyone else in this boat? Is there a way to make it work without having to sell your house, dog, kids, and move into a cardboard box?

I feel like I have got to try flying for a living/career. I may hate it and run back to I.T. work, and I guess I won't know that until I try. However, I will never be able to live with myself if I look back over my life and always wonder, "What if I had flown for a living?" I cannot live my life with that regret, and I do not think I will ever be at peace with myself until I give it a shot.

I'm 35 years old, married, and I have two kids (almost...baby's #2 is due end of Nov.).

I really enjoy reading this forum. Thank you JC for all of the great topics covered here. I feel like I can express my self to people who may understand me. It has helped me already just reading other career-changers posts.

[skidz]

Originally Posted by Wing_96

I too am trying to make a move from an I.T. job to a flying career. I know that my wife will support me, but that said, she is not going to let me sell the farm either. Is anyone else in this boat? Is there a way to make it work without having to sell your house, dog, kids, and move into a cardboard box?

It has been done before, you can check some of the other threads here.
Good luck!

[Murdoughnut]

Just remember that your responsibility to your wife and children come first. I knew a guy in grad school who drug his family through the mud to go back to school - including two teenage daughters. Chasing a dream is one thing, but don't forget your financial obligations.

Good luck.

[Wing_96]

No worries there. My family definitely comes first.

I want a career in flying, but not at the cost of my family!

[Murdoughnut]

Good deal

[sdfcvoh]

You'll find quite a few of us poking around from time to time here. Ask any questions you need! My biggest advice is to make certain that you can remain financially stable throughout the move - as well as for another 5 years once you make the leap.
My other advice is to follow your heart - if its in flying - then find a way to do it. ..and Best of luck to you!

Originally Posted by Wing_96

I too am trying to make a move from an I.T. job to a flying career. I know that my wife will support me, but that said, she is not going to let me sell the farm either. Is anyone else in this boat? Is there a way to make it work without having to sell your house, dog, kids, and move into a cardboard box?

I feel like I have got to try flying for a living/career. I may hate it and run back to I.T. work, and I guess I won't know that until I try. However, I will never be able to live with myself if I look back over my life and always wonder, "What if I had flown for a living?" I cannot live my life with that regret, and I do not think I will ever be at peace with myself until I give it a shot.

I'm 35 years old, married, and I have two kids (almost...baby's #2 is due end of Nov.).

I really enjoy reading this forum. Thank you JC for all of the great topics covered here. I feel like I can express my self to people who may understand me. It has helped me already just reading other career-changers posts.

[3green]

Like everyone else said follow your dreams, but family comes first. I got offered a couple interviews(and a class date at a low tier regional) but with my baby due this month I passed on them. You can always get a job(yes, it may be a dream job, but its still a job) but being there for your own children isn't something you can buy...

Take your time find out if you like the whole dream and then career change. There will always be vacancies at a job that pays 20,000 a year to start...

[LoadMasterC141]

Does your wife work? Mine is a school teacher. If it were not for that, we would need to sell our house, which we may well do anyway, to afford it.
Unless you can save some serious bank to offset the first few years as a regional pilot, and pay for the training outright, it would be hard to accomplish without your wife working.

[Wing_96]

No, she is not currently working. She probably won't go to work for another 4 years or so (until the kids are school age), and even then it will probably be a part time gig. I'm gonna have to save some serious money if I want to go the regional route. I'm hoping that in the mean time, I get my CFI, II, MEI; get some good experience; and can do some contract type flying, or part-time flying for a corporate operation on the side.

Right now, it's all still a dream...(Big sigh)

[DE727UPS]

I would not jump into this with both feet in your situation. Take your time, work on your ratings in your spare time, get up through CFI and instruct a little. Then, you'll be in a good position to decide to jump in or not without giving away the farm.

[LoadMasterC141]

Originally Posted by Wing_96

No, she is not currently working. She probably won't go to work for another 4 years or so (until the kids are school age), and even then it will probably be a part time gig. I'm gonna have to save some serious money if I want to go the regional route. I'm hoping that in the mean time, I get my CFI, II, MEI; get some good experience; and can do some contract type flying, or part-time flying for a corporate operation on the side.

Right now, it's all still a dream...(Big sigh)

Do all your training locally and continue to work. Build a repoir(SP?) with your flight school and instruct for them on the side. You could easily go from zero to hero(CFII) in a year and make some decent extra dough, build hours, and do something enjoyable and still continue working your current profession.

[Wing_96]

Originally Posted by LoadMasterC141

Build a repoir(SP?) with your flight school and instruct for them on the side. You could easily go from zero to hero(CFII) in a year and make some decent extra dough, build hours, and do something enjoyable and still continue working your current profession.

That's actually the exact plan I'm on right now. Hopefully, I will have my CFI by month's end.