Hello from Dallas

flyboi74 · January 31st, 2008, 12:04

Hello all,

Let me take this time to introduce myself. My name is Louie N. 33, single. Came to the state from Vietnam in 91. Graduated with bachelor degree in science from LSU in 2001. Currently working as Respiratory Therapist at Plano Texas but am considering a change in career. Met one ATP pilot as my patient and he talked me into flying. I am currently working on my PPL. Only have 10 hrs flying. Did get my 1st medical and passed the ground school written test. The only flight school I know is ALLATPS.com. Any suggest on flight school here Dallas area? The cost is very expensive, 55k with a pre requisite of PPL. I need your help and expertise on choosing schools which would help me to land a job with airlines. It is a long way with great challenges but I am willing to do it. Just need some mentors and advices that's all. My goal is to become ATP and go see the world. I love flying so far. Currently joined Texin flying club in Mckinney. Please help. I take one baby step at a time.

God bless.

Lead Sled · January 31st, 2008, 21:43

You're flying and you love it. Sounds like a great start to me!

Hopefully now that you've gotten a response to this post more will follow....seems to work that way.

Good luck following that dream

frog_flyer · January 31st, 2008, 22:03

Is it really called the "Texin flying club?"

Welcome aboard.

Gulfstream IV · January 31st, 2008, 22:21

Loui, remain plugged in here and you'll find lots of information and great networking opportunities. Iike yourself, I am working on my PPL while still working fulltime. Block off a couple of hours some day and read some of the topics on this website and you'll find a lot of information to your question. Good luck to you and don't stop asking questions, hopefully someone with more experience will have a better answer.

Wing_96 · February 1st, 2008, 09:02

Where in Dallas are you located and how far are you willing to drive? I know there are a lot of members on this board that are in the DFW area. You might get more of a response if you post a question in the "general topics" area.

Welcome to JC!

flyboi74 · February 1st, 2008, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wing_96

Where in Dallas are you located and how far are you willing to drive? I know there are a lot of members on this board that are in the DFW area. You might get more of a response if you post a question in the "general topics" area.

Welcome to JC!

I will drive 50 miles plus on my day off to meet pilots who like to chat and share his experiences. That is one of my hobby.

Yes, my club names is texins flying club in Mckinney. North of Dallas about 25 miles up on 75 central.

All suggestions and advices are greatly appreciated.

bumflip · February 4th, 2008, 15:46

I got my PPL at Monarch at TKI. Nice airport. I am currently a helicopter pilot transitioning BACK into fixed wing flight. Monarch treated me very well, and they have another location at ADS. ATP is a great school, but if you cannot attend full time, I would not spend all the $$. A smaller school might just be the way to go.

Good luck and keep us posted.

killbilly · February 4th, 2008, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboi74

I will drive 50 miles plus on my day off to meet pilots who like to chat and share his experiences. That is one of my hobby.

Yes, my club names is texins flying club in Mckinney. North of Dallas about 25 miles up on 75 central.

All suggestions and advices are greatly appreciated.

Hey, I'm with NTXFC - we share some of the same members and stuff. I think we used to share airplanes but that was a while ago.

Might see you round the ramp sometime.

flyboi74 · February 5th, 2008, 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by killbilly

Hey, I'm with NTXFC - we share some of the same members and stuff. I think we used to share airplanes but that was a while ago.

Might see you round the ramp sometime.

Thanks for all advices. I just learned to to fly around a point yesterday. It was fun and very enjoyable. Looking forward to fly again tomorrow.

I think i will sell the house and attend ATP or FBO like Monarch full time. The only problem is the chance to get hired as CFI and get to Regional from Monarch is slim. With ATP, it is big money but more chance to get an interview. Being a pilot is not as easy as I thought. When I first graduated from LSU with a bachelor degree and working as respiratory. I made 35K first year/ 45k on second years, and 50+ on 3 years and so...

The neg points about pilots that concern me are: it is expensive to train, and you don't quaranty the job, airlines industry is unstable, time away from family/kid/wife are big sacrifice to me. I don't care about sleepiing in new bed all the time. I can handle eating lunch out of a bag all the time. I am ok with pay cut and ok to climb the ladder. The thing is if I invest all of my savings into ATP and not quaranty a job. It is a scary thought that killing my dream right now.

Please advise .

killbilly · February 5th, 2008, 13:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboi74

The neg points about pilots that concern me are: it is expensive to train,

Yes.

Quote:

and you don't quaranty the job, airlines industry is unstable, time away from family/kid/wife are big sacrifice to me. I don't care about sleepiing in new bed all the time. I can handle eating lunch out of a bag all the time. I am ok with pay cut and ok to climb the ladder. The thing is if I invest all of my savings into ATP and not quaranty a job. It is a scary thought that killing my dream right now.

Please advise .

Well - you've identified what's important to you and what isn't. And you're right - there are no guarantees. I would advise you keep doing research and learn what you can so that when you make a decision, you make the most informed decision possible.

flyboi74 · February 5th, 2008, 17:41

I agreed. I still have several months before my first check ride so not too sweat about this. However, there is no way that you can shadow a pilot to see how his actual day will be like. In health care, this option is possible. I have high school students shadow me at the hospital all the time. That would really be an eye opening experience to me.

killbilly · February 5th, 2008, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboi74

I agreed. I still have several months before my first check ride so not too sweat about this. However, there is no way that you can shadow a pilot to see how his actual day will be like. In health care, this option is possible. I have high school students shadow me at the hospital all the time. That would really be an eye opening experience to me.

I would suggest you read any and all of the "perspectives" articles on the front page of this website. You can learn a lot there.

mhcasey · February 5th, 2008, 22:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboi74

I think i will sell the house and attend ATP or FBO like Monarch full time. The only problem is the chance to get hired as CFI and get to Regional from Monarch is slim. With ATP, it is big money but more chance to get an interview.
The neg points about pilots that concern me are: it is expensive to train, and you don't quaranty the job, airlines industry is unstable, time away from family/kid/wife are big sacrifice to me.
Please advise .

Under no circumstances would I ever sell a house to enter the aviation profession, but that's just me...

Your chances at a regional airline are the same if you go to ATP as if you went to Uncle Bob's Backyard Flight School with one airplane and one instructor. The airlines are desperate. If you have the time, you'll get hired. Uncle Bob will charge you significantly less than ATP. Do not think that ATP guarantees you anything that any other flight school can't provide except a higher cost of training!!!

Flying is really cool, but sometimes family comes first. Read the perspectives articles on the main page and stick around on the forums a while before you make a major decision. You can learn a heck of a lot from this forum, and don't ever be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck, and welcome aboard!

flyboi74 · February 8th, 2008, 10:20

THank you so much for all your suggestions, opinions, and ideas. I will try to start reading those articles on here. I love flying. I think it is cool and probably will never regret this.On the other hand, I want to raise a family as well and I do believe family come first. I go in this order: God, Family, and Career.

The Airlines Transport Pilot I met was really a good talker but I am unable to communicate with him right now because he travel internationally quite often.

Thank you again for suggesting.

Louie

3green · February 14th, 2008, 23:57

Hi Flyboi,

Having your family first is the correct way of thinking. I'm currently in 121 training and I'll tell you this much my family is not coming first with the schedule you get in training. I jumpseat and non-rev home every chance I get to see the family, but at min of 5 day stretches away from the family is a pain in the y'know what. Especially if you have kids. That and the looong hours and low pay is the dues you have to be willing to pay in this industry.

In the end, if you can justify being a way from your children and your spouse is okay with you being gone it can work. Just realize what your getting into. Eating out lunch out of a bag and sleeping in a motel sounds easy until your doing it days on end and weeks on end for that matter. But, it is a fun job/training if you focus and work for your goals. just go into it with a full plate of knowledge...

Good luck whatever you decide to do. And don't sell your house like the others have said. 3green

flyboi74 · February 20th, 2008, 08:18

Hello guys again,

I really got burned out with my current health care job. THis is my first career and the future of this job is not good neither. There are guys that are in their 70 and still have to work due to the income this job's provide ,50K. Comparing to an airline pilot job, this job is more secure but also dirtier ( it could be very nasty as well). My first impression about being pilot was it is fun, less stress, and have a traveling benefit. But now looking further into this, it is very iffy . I still going for my PPL for sure. I have been spending my saving money for this. It is a big decision and I need all your suggesiton.

The only motivation when I talked to the pilot that encourage me was $$. I just want a chance to earn more money than my current job in 20 years from now.

What do you think?

3green · February 20th, 2008, 20:30

I'm sure others will agree with me. If you are interested in flying for the money don't bother. Between the possibility of furloughs, low low low regional salary and time a way from home the last reason to become a professional aviator is money and job security. If your trying to get away from another job, take lessons on the side and learn about the industry. Like I mentioned before, if you know what your getting into then go for it. Flying is fun but its alot of work and studying. It isn't going to happen over night and will take sacrifice. But if its what you love(ie, flying in the big blue) then by all means go for it!

3green

Lead Sled · February 23rd, 2008, 15:48

I’d have to agree with 3green. Money just might be the last thing you should think about if considering a career in flying. You just can’t tell what will happen with whatever airline you end up with 20 years from now……or even one year from now. I’m in the same situation as you thinking about going for it. But I know that I could spend all the money and time on training, get a FO job with a regional and be on the verge of upgrading to Captain after a few years and then BAM, airline goes under and I start all over again. Nowhere closer to a major cause I never got any PIC.
All I’m saying is that you have to do it because you want to fly, not because you want a stable high paying job.….there’s just no guarantee in that.

Good luck man, I know it's a hard decision.

flyboi74 · March 8th, 2008, 13:28

I finally have made my decision after couple of landing lessons. It was awesome feeling and I feel like I have achieved something great. I love flying and will go for it and work part time in the hospital to compensate for the early years hardship. Thanks all for advices.

Lead Sled · March 13th, 2008, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyboi74

I finally have made my decision after couple of landing lessons. It was awesome feeling and I feel like I have achieved something great. I love flying and will go for it and work part time in the hospital to compensate for the early years hardship. Thanks all for advices.

wow! I look forward to hearing your progress. I may be joining you and "going for it" pretty soon myself.

rjmore · March 14th, 2008, 03:39

I live in Houston and I do a lot of trips that start out of DFW. Sometimes I get there with a few hours to spare before my flight. I'll let you know when one of those times comes around if you want to chat about the career. It would require a trip to DFW for you but hopefully that isn't too far. Sometimes I drive but I get there with about 20 minutes to spare before the flight. Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

flyboi74 · March 14th, 2008, 11:45

Cool,

You can contact me via flyboi74@gmail.com and i will reply with my phone number for chatting convience.

Thanks,

So far, i learned how to land I am loving it. It is a challenge but fun to do. I met one guy at the local airport and he did the 90 days from ATP and now working for American Eagle. He said the only part he didn't like is the hotel. Beside that, He loved flying.

embraer07 · March 16th, 2008, 14:36

I'm currently a CFI at Monarch Air in Addison, KADS. I can personally tell you that working for Monarch your chances of getting to the airlines or a corporate job are not slim.

Most instructors here move on to the airlines or another jet flying job within one year. It all comes down to how much multi time you have.

Working at Monarch you will get TONS of flying time. You must be an MEI to get some valuable multi time as well.

As for training, we provide the highest quality flight training in the area with the newest aircraft, including the largest G-1000 fleet. Unlike ATP we won't force training down your throat like drinking from a fire hose. For some people that is better, for others it is not.

We provide a home study course through King Schools DVDs which includes labs which must be completed. In addition, I also do ground lessons with my students every few flights and require they read chapters out of the Airplane Flying Handbook and others.

Plus, ATP out of KADS is pretty small with only a few planes. Their main school is out of Arlington Municiple, KGKY-otherwise known and Going to Kill Yourself airport. GKY is a mess of primary students doing touch & gos on ONE runway at an airport with NO radar and towers controllers who are basically traffic directors. The Indian students from Skymates many times don't respect traffic pattern rules, plus regional approach doesn't direct traffic down there so you are left alone in the air. I personally would never fly out of GKY again...I did it for a few months last year and that was enough.

I suggest you come take a look at Monarch either at KADS or KTKI. You will be impressed by our school, training, and fleet. Let me know if you have any questions.

flyboi74 · March 31st, 2008, 18:42

Thanks for the tips. I am still learning about all options now. I really want to get on this fast, get it done, and go fly. With FBO route, there is no loan. I don't have much cash right now. Can't charge all that to credit cards. Slower than ATP route for sure. But they said you can't learn all in 90 days. What do you say?

Lead Sled · March 31st, 2008, 21:41

I've talked to several people that have finished up in 90 days at ATP. But for that you have to enter with your PPL and 85 hours total time. If you don't have that it's an additional 60 days to do it all through them...plus of course you have to factor in the "uncertain" amount of months you'll spend instructing before someone will hire you. That place does seem really tempting to me but sure is a lot of debt to end up with on a regional FO's salary. How could you afford those luxury items like toothpaste and toilet paper?