My patience is wearing thin...

[wrxpilot]

Hey everyone,

I'm new here, though I recognize some of you from other boards that I've been part of for awhile. I like it here, I think I'm gonna stay!

Anyway, just wanted to vent a little. I've been working towards my goal as a professional pilot for several years now... I got my private 10/04, and started work on my IA rating about 3 months ago. So far things are going great with that (hopefully a checkride in about 1 month), and I've got a total of about 190 hrs. I'm hoping to hit 250 around Jan/Feb (I'll be doing a huge x/c from CO to FL and back this december). After that it's off to Sheble or American Flyers (at PMP) for the CFI/CFII.

So far I've been really good about paying as I go (all part 61 FBO) and paying off all my debts. I have no credit card debt (just recently got all that paid off!), and am about ready to pay off my car that I bought new in 2002. I have some student loan debt from my 4 year engineering degree, but that's all low interest subsidized loans for a total of about $20k.

The thing is that I absolutely HATE my current job. I loved engineering in school and as an intern, but the real world is very different and extremely boring. I'm at the point now where I just want to say screw this, get some loans, and knock my ratings out ASAP. But OTOH all I have to do is make myself stick it out for about 6 months and I'll be in a good situation financially as a new CFI.

It's all so frustrating... For years I have been working at a job I hate (like dreading it everyday hate!) while financing my flight training, and it is just reaching the breaking point. But it would be silly to make it this far and then get into a bunch of debt. Argh!!

The things I do for aviation! Thanks for listening to my rant, I'm off to do a dual instr x/c!

[flyTotheSky]

We've all run into bumps in our career. I think you will be glad in the long run if you stick it out for another 6 months. There will always be airplanes to fly. As they say, patience is a virtue. Good luck to you!

[jrh]

There were multiple times during my training that I got frustrated for one reason or another. I thought training was going too slow, I failed a checkride, I wanted a better job, etc.

When I kept plugging away, eventually I got everything I wanted. The funny part is, looking back on it, those times don't seem too bad in the whole scheme of things.

Look at it this way: five years from now you'll look back at an extra six months of a job you hated and probably laugh about how much it sucked. It won't be that big of a deal. But if you take out a bunch of loans, five years from now, when you're trying to pay off big loans at a low paying aviation job, you might kick yourself for not sticking with engineering a few months longer.

Keep things in perspective. Think about the big picture.

[TheFlyingTurkey]

All I can say is... STAY OUT OF DEBT.

[FlyWhiteSox]

FlyToTheSky,

hijack: nice to see another South Sider!

[lostplanetairman]

But there's lots of engineering and there are lots of companies that hire engineers. I can't imagine giving up a career because you are bored. That, IMHO, is when you look for a new position that offers challenges! Best of luck to you.

[tonyw]

Six more months of tolerating a job you don't like or tens of thousands of dollars in debt when you're taking on a job that pays a hell of a lot less than you're making now.

You tell me which is the more logical choice.

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by tonyw

Six more months of tolerating a job you don't like or tens of thousands of dollars in debt when you're taking on a job that pays a hell of a lot less than you're making now.

You tell me which is the more logical choice.

Uh... Yeah it's quite clear which is the more logical choice. It's called venting! I've been doing the logical choice for many years now and it is just getting to me.

It is a test in patience, almost like torture sometimes. There are numerous people around me that started around the same time, got loans, and are teaching or close to it.

Will I quit today and go down to the bank? No... But I am sure going to appreciate the day I can quit this crap and be a CFI. Rather than being there to build time, I think I will instead be greatful for everday I'm doing something I enjoy. Sure hope so anyway!!

[tonyw]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

Uh... Yeah it's quite clear which is the more logical choice. It's called venting! I've been doing the logical choice for many years now and it is just getting to me.

Such is life. You can make a bad decision which will make you feel really good now, or you can suck it up for a little more and you'll feel a lot better for a lot longer.

A mature individual chooses the second route and that's the one you're taking, so good for you.

[Texasspilot]

I know youre close but heres the thing....90% of your CFI stuff is ground. So start working ahead if you can and get some of that knocked out of the way now and It'll be quite easy to catch up with those guys who are slightly ahead of you.

[jawright]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

Uh... Yeah it's quite clear which is the more logical choice. It's called venting! I've been doing the logical choice for many years now and it is just getting to me.

It is a test in patience, almost like torture sometimes. There are numerous people around me that started around the same time, got loans, and are teaching or close to it.

Dude, I'm paying as I go too and I totally know the feeling....and right now I am working in a field I like.

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by lostplanetairman

But there's lots of engineering and there are lots of companies that hire engineers. I can't imagine giving up a career because you are bored. That, IMHO, is when you look for a new position that offers challenges! Best of luck to you.

I've tried a couple of different companies, and for the most part it is the same to me (I've been doing this about 6 yrs now). Being bored is a great reason to give up a career - or better put, to try something else. Why do something you are unhappy with? Unless you have a family to support (I don't), you need to do what you like.

I've wanted to fly ever since I can remember, and have done intro flights, flying with friends, etc. even when I was too poor and too busy (working and in engineering school full time). I always knew I was going to be a pilot, but didn't think I could ever be a professional since I require corrected vision (correctable 20/20). Then I found out a few yrs ago this was not the case, and have been working towards it since.

I want this so bad I can taste it. I envy the job and the lifestyle. My mood is elevated substantially as I near the airport. I am blown away that some people go into this thinking it's easy money and low work. I think it is neither, particularly these days going civilan. Very tough and no promises.

When I am driving into my job that I dislike on an almost daily basis, I almost feel sick when I look up and see an airplane (whether it be a C182 or an A319) flying by - most likely piloted by some lucky person.

[flyTotheSky]

FlyWhiteSox,

Good to see the fans represent...too bad about the season, what happened?

Sorry for the hijack

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

Being bored is a great reason to give up a career...

Don't get into the regionals. It's pretty mind-numbingly boring (seriously).

[ComplexHiAv8r]

What Engineering discipline are you in, and what is your job? Asking as an Engineer wanting to make a career change too!

[FLflyer]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Don't get into the regionals. It's pretty mind-numbingly boring (seriously).

To each his own, I guess.
Count me as one of the guys who absolutely loves his job with a regional (XJT).

[chris6387]

If you don't mind me asking... what is your current position? It is boring because it's easy?

I'm an engineering student now, but my eventual goal is to be a pilot.

[Chris_Ford]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Don't get into the regionals. It's pretty mind-numbingly boring (seriously).

Are you joking?!?!

You get to go to places like CLEVELAND (The Paris of NE OH) and AKRON (The South Paris of NE OH) and TOLEDO (The Paris of NW OH) and PITTSBURGH (the Paris of SW PA) and ERIE (The Paris of NW PA) and IXTAPA (The Paris of Mexico) and WACO (The Tijuana of Texas).

How could you ever get tired of that? And CORN at 25,000 feet !!!!!! Not to mention wheat, and CLOUDS!

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by ComplexHiAv8r

What Engineering discipline are you in, and what is your job? Asking as an Engineer wanting to make a career change too!

ComplexHiAv8r / Chris 6387,

I'm a mechanical engineer working in the power (electrical utilities) industry. Previously I was in aerospace doing turbine engine design.

What I don't like about what I'm doing now and previously is that a small portion of your daily routine is actually spent designing. Often times you are in meetings, preparing cost estimates, talking to vendors, working project schedules, dealing with a*shole management, etc. It is very frustrating for me, as I like to have a clear direction of what needs to be done and then for people to get on board and make things happen.

I consider myself an above average communicator as an engineer, particularly when it comes to writing skill and conveying what needs to get done. When 90% of your coworkers don't share this trait, it becomes very annoying and frustrating when people are consistenly not on the same page due to poor communications.

The other things that bothers me is that you frequently take work home with you - even if not in the literal sense. You still leave worrying about this or that, which has no sign of ending until way down the road.

To top things off, what's the typical way of getting ahead in engineering? Become a manager! As if paperwork, meetings, and non-paid overtime didn't suck enough, it's now thrown into new levels as a manager. You literally have to love the stuff (which is baffling to me), or you will go insane. There are personality types that do love or at least enjoy this environment, and if that's the case roll with it. There are certainly much worse way of making a living.

BTW, let's just dispel the myth of engineers making big money. You ain't gonna get rich as an engineer, at least while working for somebody else (as the vast majority do). I make mid-50s, which is nice and I'm grateful for it. I was definitely in the lower-middle class (at best) growing up. Raises are usually around 3-5%/yr if you get a good review. This gives you a comfortable middleclass life in a dual income family, but you're not going to be owning your own Bonanza. The nice thing is that you at least start off making high 40s to low 50s (for mech eng). Electrical and chemical eng do better. Civils a little less. These figures are all on the average, so if you know some guy who owns his own consulting business making big $$$, I already know about those guys. The aren't typical though.

Am I glad I got an engineering degree? I think so... I really did enjoy my time in college and it prepared me well with critical thinking skills and the ability to basically get a job at will. I also think there are some good opportunities out there, but they are with smaller design firms. This is something I would explore further if I wasn't deadset on becoming a professional pilot.

[wanabe]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

I want this so bad I can taste it. I envy the job and the lifestyle. My mood is elevated substantially as I near the airport. I am blown away that some people go into this thinking it's easy money and low work. I think it is neither, particularly these days going civilan. Very tough and no promises.

When I am driving into my job that I dislike on an almost daily basis, I almost feel sick when I look up and see an airplane (whether it be a C182 or an A319) flying by - most likely piloted by some lucky person.

I am in very much the same position you are in. I work as a PM in the Telecom Engineering field and share your perspective. I am going to give this career all I have and let the cards fall where they may.

I live off the app/dep path of a fly in community and a busy ClassD airport with lots of military traffic. Sometimes working in the yard on the weekends with everyone flying overhead is tough. The worst is when I have to travel for work. Watching Colgan go in and out of IAH kills me.

Good luck to you.

[chris6387]

Originally Posted by wrxpilot

ComplexHiAv8r / Chris 6387,

I'm a mechanical engineer working in the power (electrical utilities) industry. Previously I was in aerospace doing turbine engine design.

What I don't like about what I'm doing now and previously is that a small portion of your daily routine is actually spent designing. Often times you are in meetings, preparing cost estimates, talking to vendors, working project schedules, dealing with a*shole management, etc. It is very frustrating for me, as I like to have a clear direction of what needs to be done and then for people to get on board and make things happen.

I consider myself an above average communicator as an engineer, particularly when it comes to writing skill and conveying what needs to get done. When 90% of your coworkers don't share this trait, it becomes very annoying and frustrating when people are consistenly not on the same page due to poor communications.

The other things that bothers me is that you frequently take work home with you - even if not in the literal sense. You still leave worrying about this or that, which has no sign of ending until way down the road.

To top things off, what's the typical way of getting ahead in engineering? Become a manager! As if paperwork, meetings, and non-paid overtime didn't suck enough, it's now thrown into new levels as a manager. You literally have to love the stuff (which is baffling to me), or you will go insane. There are personality types that do love or at least enjoy this environment, and if that's the case roll with it. There are certainly much worse way of making a living.

BTW, let's just dispel the myth of engineers making big money. You ain't gonna get rich as an engineer, at least while working for somebody else (as the vast majority do). I make mid-50s, which is nice and I'm grateful for it. I was definitely in the lower-middle class (at best) growing up. Raises are usually around 3-5%/yr if you get a good review. This gives you a comfortable middleclass life in a dual income family, but you're not going to be owning your own Bonanza. The nice thing is that you at least start off making high 40s to low 50s (for mech eng). Electrical and chemical eng do better. Civils a little less. These figures are all on the average, so if you know some guy who owns his own consulting business making big $$$, I already know about those guys. The aren't typical though.

Am I glad I got an engineering degree? I think so... I really did enjoy my time in college and it prepared me well with critical thinking skills and the ability to basically get a job at will. I also think there are some good opportunities out there, but they are with smaller design firms. This is something I would explore further if I wasn't deadset on becoming a professional pilot.

Thanks for your insight. I've heard similar things... Right now I'm in my sophmore year of mech engineering. I'm basically doing it because I heard an aviation degree was bad, couldn't pursue the AF due to a stupid, harmless medical condition, and nothing else at my school really interests me (I came for soccer). At most I intend to only spend 3-4 years as engineer attempting to avoid debt before moving to aviation - much like yourself.

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by wanabe

Good luck to you.

Same to you my friend. I think passion is rewarded in aviation, so I think we'll do ok.

BTW, I like your avatar! I've been riding sportbikes for a long time... Just recently sold my '01 GSXR 750 to help pay off my car. First time I've been without a bike in 12 yrs. Never thought I would be able to make that sacrifice!! Hope to have one again soon though - I'm sure I will.

[wrxpilot]

Originally Posted by chris6387

Thanks for your insight. I've heard similar things... Right now I'm in my sophmore year of mech engineering. I'm basically doing it because I heard an aviation degree was bad, couldn't pursue the AF due to a stupid, harmless medical condition, and nothing else at my school really interests me (I came for soccer). At most I intend to only spend 3-4 years as engineer attempting to avoid debt before moving to aviation - much like yourself.

Chris,

I think you've got a great plan there! I really enjoyed studying engineering, even though it's considered difficult. It is a great backup to an aviation career - and like I said before, you get paid pretty well coming out of school. BTW, it's all downhill after physics II