If you had your time over again, would you do things differently?

Tristan · October 2nd, 2006, 02:15

If you had your time over again, what would you have done differently? Would you have done things the same? Would you still be a pilot?

seagull · October 2nd, 2006, 08:31

Honestly? I think I wouldn't have ever gotten married, as much as I love my kids. Aside from that, it's been a great ride!

Aviator737 · October 2nd, 2006, 10:58

Quote:

I think I wouldn't have ever gotten married

Really? Do you say this is a general reaction against marriage, or specifically because of how it ties in with the pilot lifestyle? As a student seriously considering the airline profession, this has been a big question of mine, particularly as I've been in a couple relationships recently and it's already become a concern.

TXaviator · October 2nd, 2006, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator737

Really? Do you say this is a general reaction against marriage, or specifically because of how it ties in with the pilot lifestyle? As a student seriously considering the airline profession, this has been a big question of mine, particularly as I've been in a couple relationships recently and it's already become a concern.

oh man.

skydog · October 2nd, 2006, 11:22

I would still become a pilot, but not a professional pilot.

Andrew_VT · October 2nd, 2006, 11:30

After 2 years(or less) of brick and mortar college i would have consentrated on flying full time and finished a degree online. It would be cheaper, I'd have money coming in sooner, and i coulda traveled the country more through various flying jobs rather than instructing out of the same airport for 1200 hours. For those saying "why rush, enjoy the ride"...college gets tedious and boring, after 2 years it goes downhill. I'm in my last year and its killing me that i have enough time (1200) to get a part 135 job and im stuck here killing time.

jtrain609 · October 2nd, 2006, 11:30

I would have gotten my ratings done faster so I could have instructed while in college, if I were serious about this flying thing. But that would require giving up some other things in my life that in retrospect, were not worth giving up.

So...no

Doug Taylor · October 2nd, 2006, 11:36

I wouldn't have done anything different because if I did, I might have ended up a crackhead... Seriously!

I didn't enjoy Riddle all that much, but the friends I made there are still around today. So if I didn't go there, I wouldn't know Mike Lewis, MikeD, Bogberto, etc. Mike Lewis is actually very pivotal in me meeting Kristie.

Looking back, if a single thing was done different in my past, I might be in a much worse place today in 2006.

But since you're looking forward, you're going to have to make the best decisions for yourself.

You've got to decide what you want to do.

fender_jag · October 2nd, 2006, 11:37

I would have gone to work for Google before they went public.

TXaviator · October 2nd, 2006, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by fender_jag

I would have gone to work for Google before they went public.

screw work, just buy a few shares ;-)

DE727UPS · October 2nd, 2006, 13:04

Note to self on things not to do next time.....

1) Don't go to Riddle, don't get an aviation degree, try really hard to develop a second area of interest....realize that flying isn't the end all, be all, of life.

2) Don't quit my low life flying job to go to work for the FAA as a air traffic controller.

3) Don't turn down a 727 F/E interview at DHL with 3000/500/full FE ticket just because I just got a my first turboprop F/O job. Would have been a step up to go to DHL in 1988 with those times. Always do the interview for a step up. If you get the job offer, you'll have a decision to make.

Good choices DE made....

1) Start flying at 17 at a small FBO and got my CFI by my second year in college.
2) Get a degree.
3) Wasn't afraid to move anywhere at a whim to move up the ladder.
4) Didn't leave UPS for a pax airline when a UPS job was considered a lowly freight dawg, scum of the earth, less than worthy, flying career.

Not getting married was a good move that I'd do over. That's more of a personal thing but it does have merit early on in the career. Being unencumbered does help, but it isn't mandatory.

Ian J · October 2nd, 2006, 13:48

I would have figured out what to do in my life a little sooner. I had no clue what to do after high school so I enlisted in the Army. After 5 years of that, I finally figured out I really wanted to fly. (I had always wanted to fly, but really didn't know where to begin. I didn't even know I could go down to my local FBO to take flight lessons). Spent 3 years in college and ROTC and luckily branched aviation. Didn't really realize the difference between commissioned and warrant aviators, and didn't really understand what a 7 year obligation really meant. Realized it would be a pretty great job flying helos for the coast guard or the AF, but you can't be over 30. Dang. Also didn't realize 9/11 and G.W. would send me away to foreign lands and thereby drastically altering my life.

However... because I have stumbled through life I have had so many experiences I wouldn't have had if I knew exactly what to do after high school. I wouldn't trade my enlisted time for the world, and as much as Afghanistan and Iraq sucked, it gave me experiences I couldn't have gained elsewhere. And though my flight time is less than my warrant officer counterparts, leading a platoon and a company are humbling yet awe-inspiring jobs.

I admire those with master plans. I am often shocked to hear the very developed plans teenagers have for themselves... I'm impressed because I certainly did not have that clarity when I was that age. Then again, there's something to be said for bumbling aorund life for a bit and just seeing where things take you. You never know what might happen next.

ComplexHiAv8r · October 2nd, 2006, 13:54

I would of:

Continued in 1987 to get my license when I moved for work.
Restarted in 1990 when I moved to a town with a college and aviation program (Go OKRAS!!!!) - ok name the college
Make the trade for my boat when selling if the a C152 in the same town as above
Restart again in 1996 when I lived within 5 miles of Norman, OK
Finally restarted in 1999 after my brother flew up for Christmas, and my wife and I had a long drive home.

Now, if I could just quit this Engineering job.

seagull · October 2nd, 2006, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aviator737

Really? Do you say this is a general reaction against marriage, or specifically because of how it ties in with the pilot lifestyle? As a student seriously considering the airline profession, this has been a big question of mine, particularly as I've been in a couple relationships recently and it's already become a concern.

In another forum, someone wrote something about marrying a girl that went to church every Sunday, knows why you don't wear white after Labor day and a few other things. Well, I grew up in a way too "progressive" environment for that -- went for the good looking career types, etc. Didn't work out too well, my experience has been they don't do too well in the "wife" department. Had two that had, let's say, questionable activities, and the last one, well, that is more of a crazy story, shouldn't have happened at all. In any event, my life would have been a lot better staying single. A single widebody international pilot in his mid 30s (when I first checked out) can do pretty well (LOTS of fun to be had!), but here I was being "good", thinking I was happily married while it turns out that my spouses idea of "marriage" was a little different than mine was. Finally learned why she liked my airline lifestyle of being away on trips, and here I always thought that it was just that she was independent....

So, I think if you find the right girl, it can work, but I know my judgement of "right" leaves a little to be desired. They all were very good looking, though!

Tim · October 2nd, 2006, 16:01

I would have finished college way back when instead of trying to know with a family. I missed way to many chances for advancement because I didnt listen to my parents.
I would have never ever ever with to Airline Training Academy. I would have went to a local school in Atlanta and got my rating and instructed. Fortunately for me I got out and got my money back before the disaster.
Never married my first wife.....big mistake and cost big money in the end....

Otherwise I have had a pretty good life except a few bumps in the road

surreal1221 · October 2nd, 2006, 17:12

Man. . . I'm married now, enlisted in the Air Force, and just starting the journey of doing my degree online, flight training, working two jobs (af full time. . . and a part time sales job), all while trying to be a husband. It's tough, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Perhaps it's because I'm young / naive, but without my wife I don't think I'd be able to do it.

kellwolf · October 2nd, 2006, 17:32

I'd still be a pilot, but I'd tweak a few things. I woulda started working on my ratings in high school instead of assuming the military was the only way to go, and I would have finished a degree in history at Mississippi State instead of dropping out and finishing online with Riddle. Other than that, I'm happy with how things are going so far.

Tim · October 2nd, 2006, 17:35

Steve you could have went around carrying a cow bell in your flight bag with your degree from MSU....

MidlifeFlyer · October 2nd, 2006, 17:37

If I knew then what I know now, I would have learned to fly much earlier than I did. I would still have become a CFI. And I probably would still have used my flying for personal business and pleasure rather than trying to make a career out of it.

deserteaglle · October 2nd, 2006, 17:47

I just kinda wish that instead of arguing with older people about why I didn't need to worry about going college and needded to concentrate on "my music", I had have been filling out college applications.

I'd be about done by now.

Just kidding, there's a lot that I wouldn't know or have done if I'd gone straight to college. Wouldn't change anything...

Except I probably would have listened to my flight instructor when he told me to stay single. I'm going to try to stick to that advice now.

MQAAord · October 2nd, 2006, 20:22

Twice in my life I've had the opportunity to pursue being a pilot. Both times I've elected not to do it.

The first was at the same time as when I got asked to be an instructor at Eagle. Be a ground school instructor or do a pilot-mill academy thing. I chose to teach new-hires. Very good experience, glad I took it. Second was after 9/11. Keep going on my ratings or accept recall (and subsequent second furlough 6 months later) and do the 'family thing'. I chose the family route, and I couldn't be happier.

Airplanes will always be there for me to fly, but my family is #1 right now.

So I have twice chosen not to be a pilot, and for me I wouldn't have it any other way.

Ophir · October 2nd, 2006, 20:44

The first thing I would have changed was logging on to Jetcareers.

No, seriously, finding this website was the best thing I have ever done. I took the advice on many on here and went through all the rating Part 61. But I had the money to go any pilot-mill I wanted to. I stayed at home and flew in the West and that was a great decision. I have also been fortunate to complete all my ratings at minimums and get on with SkyWest at mins too. It has been a great ride.

But....... I don't think I would do it again. It is not that I am unhappy with my choices, they were great. But the collective decisions combined with the reality of the industry (yes, I was a bit of a dreamer) make me second guess that this career is the best choice for me. Honestly, one of the biggest factors is all the time on the road and away from home. And FYI, I am 37 and single. I have never been married but been in many great relationships. It is still hard being gone when you are single too. And for those who think that being single is the best choice, it has it's challenges too.

EatSleepFly · October 2nd, 2006, 20:46

For awhile I said I wouldn't do this again if I had it to do over. I guess that was before I found my "calling" as a freight dog. I'm pretty happy for the most part these days...

A few things I'd change:

-I would've gone to a state school for a degree in basketweaving

-I might've instructed longer than the 500 hrs. that I did, and kept instructing to hold out for something I really wanted instead of taking the first non-instructing job that came along

-I wouldn't have let a relationship slow my career down as much as it did (wasn't that much, but still...)

-I would've finished my A&P when I had the chance

Sprint100 · October 3rd, 2006, 01:13

I wouldn't have gotten married as soon as I did. My wife (girlfriend at the time) would have stuck around. No negative notions towards my wife, just that alot more time and money could have went towards training while I was working fulltime.

IFly85 · October 3rd, 2006, 01:18

So far, I think I am pretty happy with how things have worked out. Although I'm not exactly up there in time with everyone else. (500TT and like 58Multi) But, I think what I would have changed would be when I came to college instead of holding out for a commercial flight lab, I should have started my commercial my first semester at the flight school where I am instructing now and I would have switched my major to Maint. Management a semester or so earlier. Because right now I am sitting here a senior in college and will have to go 1 extra semester for one class in order to get my degree. And, if i would ahve started flying at my current employer sooner I would deffinately have more flight time. But so far so good.

October 2nd, 2006, 08:31	#2
seagull Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,043	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Honestly? I think I wouldn't have ever gotten married, as much as I love my kids. Aside from that, it's been a great ride!

October 2nd, 2006, 11:22	#5
skydog Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 462	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would still become a pilot, but not a professional pilot.

October 2nd, 2006, 11:30	#6
Andrew_VT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 616	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? After 2 years(or less) of brick and mortar college i would have consentrated on flying full time and finished a degree online. It would be cheaper, I'd have money coming in sooner, and i coulda traveled the country more through various flying jobs rather than instructing out of the same airport for 1200 hours. For those saying "why rush, enjoy the ride"...college gets tedious and boring, after 2 years it goes downhill. I'm in my last year and its killing me that i have enough time (1200) to get a part 135 job and im stuck here killing time.

October 2nd, 2006, 11:30	#7
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,100	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would have gotten my ratings done faster so I could have instructed while in college, if I were serious about this flying thing. But that would require giving up some other things in my life that in retrospect, were not worth giving up. So...no

October 2nd, 2006, 11:36	#8
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,825 Blog Entries: 1	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I wouldn't have done anything different because if I did, I might have ended up a crackhead... Seriously! I didn't enjoy Riddle all that much, but the friends I made there are still around today. So if I didn't go there, I wouldn't know Mike Lewis, MikeD, Bogberto, etc. Mike Lewis is actually very pivotal in me meeting Kristie. Looking back, if a single thing was done different in my past, I might be in a much worse place today in 2006. But since you're looking forward, you're going to have to make the best decisions for yourself. You've got to decide what you want to do. __________________ Doug Taylor http://76school.flyblog.com (old!) http://30west.flyblog.com (updated 11/28)

October 2nd, 2006, 02:15	#1
Tristan Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 87	If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? If you had your time over again, what would you have done differently? Would you have done things the same? Would you still be a pilot?

October 2nd, 2006, 11:37	#9
fender_jag Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: California Posts: 1,245	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would have gone to work for Google before they went public. __________________ Mr. Fastfinger - Guitar shred show Prayer for Aviators

October 2nd, 2006, 13:04	#11
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,482	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Note to self on things not to do next time..... 1) Don't go to Riddle, don't get an aviation degree, try really hard to develop a second area of interest....realize that flying isn't the end all, be all, of life. 2) Don't quit my low life flying job to go to work for the FAA as a air traffic controller. 3) Don't turn down a 727 F/E interview at DHL with 3000/500/full FE ticket just because I just got a my first turboprop F/O job. Would have been a step up to go to DHL in 1988 with those times. Always do the interview for a step up. If you get the job offer, you'll have a decision to make. Good choices DE made.... 1) Start flying at 17 at a small FBO and got my CFI by my second year in college. 2) Get a degree. 3) Wasn't afraid to move anywhere at a whim to move up the ladder. 4) Didn't leave UPS for a pax airline when a UPS job was considered a lowly freight dawg, scum of the earth, less than worthy, flying career. Not getting married was a good move that I'd do over. That's more of a personal thing but it does have merit early on in the career. Being unencumbered does help, but it isn't mandatory.

October 2nd, 2006, 13:48	#12
Ian J Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Manchester, CT Posts: 5,639 Blog Entries: 7	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would have figured out what to do in my life a little sooner. I had no clue what to do after high school so I enlisted in the Army. After 5 years of that, I finally figured out I really wanted to fly. (I had always wanted to fly, but really didn't know where to begin. I didn't even know I could go down to my local FBO to take flight lessons). Spent 3 years in college and ROTC and luckily branched aviation. Didn't really realize the difference between commissioned and warrant aviators, and didn't really understand what a 7 year obligation really meant. Realized it would be a pretty great job flying helos for the coast guard or the AF, but you can't be over 30. Dang. Also didn't realize 9/11 and G.W. would send me away to foreign lands and thereby drastically altering my life. However... because I have stumbled through life I have had so many experiences I wouldn't have had if I knew exactly what to do after high school. I wouldn't trade my enlisted time for the world, and as much as Afghanistan and Iraq sucked, it gave me experiences I couldn't have gained elsewhere. And though my flight time is less than my warrant officer counterparts, leading a platoon and a company are humbling yet awe-inspiring jobs. I admire those with master plans. I am often shocked to hear the very developed plans teenagers have for themselves... I'm impressed because I certainly did not have that clarity when I was that age. Then again, there's something to be said for bumbling aorund life for a bit and just seeing where things take you. You never know what might happen next. __________________

October 2nd, 2006, 13:54	#13
ComplexHiAv8r Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: OH or is it MX?? Posts: 4,509	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would of: Continued in 1987 to get my license when I moved for work. Restarted in 1990 when I moved to a town with a college and aviation program (Go OKRAS!!!!) - ok name the college Make the trade for my boat when selling if the a C152 in the same town as above Restart again in 1996 when I lived within 5 miles of Norman, OK Finally restarted in 1999 after my brother flew up for Christmas, and my wife and I had a long drive home. Now, if I could just quit this Engineering job. __________________ Oh, to be home again! Get Busy Living, or Get Busy Dying....

October 2nd, 2006, 16:01	#15
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I would have finished college way back when instead of trying to know with a family. I missed way to many chances for advancement because I didnt listen to my parents. I would have never ever ever with to Airline Training Academy. I would have went to a local school in Atlanta and got my rating and instructed. Fortunately for me I got out and got my money back before the disaster. Never married my first wife.....big mistake and cost big money in the end.... Otherwise I have had a pretty good life except a few bumps in the road __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

October 2nd, 2006, 17:12	#16
surreal1221 Old Skool Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Alpha Tango Lima Posts: 8,655	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Man. . . I'm married now, enlisted in the Air Force, and just starting the journey of doing my degree online, flight training, working two jobs (af full time. . . and a part time sales job), all while trying to be a husband. It's tough, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Perhaps it's because I'm young / naive, but without my wife I don't think I'd be able to do it. __________________ AGI.MEI.CFI.CFII.FO.CRJ2 \| Josh \|The TRoP \| Ramble On \|ALPA \| Your DD-214 is where?

October 2nd, 2006, 17:32	#17
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,252	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I'd still be a pilot, but I'd tweak a few things. I woulda started working on my ratings in high school instead of assuming the military was the only way to go, and I would have finished a degree in history at Mississippi State instead of dropping out and finishing online with Riddle. Other than that, I'm happy with how things are going so far. __________________ "I'm The Doctor, by the way. Run for your life!"

October 2nd, 2006, 17:35	#18
Tim Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 2,205	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Steve you could have went around carrying a cow bell in your flight bag with your degree from MSU.... __________________ Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turn skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.----- Leonardo Da Vinci

October 2nd, 2006, 17:37	#19
MidlifeFlyer Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Denver Colorado Posts: 2,918	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? If I knew then what I know now, I would have learned to fly much earlier than I did. I would still have become a CFI. And I probably would still have used my flying for personal business and pleasure rather than trying to make a career out of it. __________________ Mark www.midlifeflight.com "I don't understand" doesn't mean it's gray

October 2nd, 2006, 17:47	#20
deserteaglle Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: TEXAS! Posts: 690	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I just kinda wish that instead of arguing with older people about why I didn't need to worry about going college and needded to concentrate on "my music", I had have been filling out college applications. I'd be about done by now. Just kidding, there's a lot that I wouldn't know or have done if I'd gone straight to college. Wouldn't change anything... Except I probably would have listened to my flight instructor when he told me to stay single. I'm going to try to stick to that advice now. __________________ Fly the god#@$% plane. People usually ask for advice to have someone to agree with what they've already decided or to have someone to blame when things go wrong.

October 2nd, 2006, 20:22	#21
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 8,813	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? Twice in my life I've had the opportunity to pursue being a pilot. Both times I've elected not to do it. The first was at the same time as when I got asked to be an instructor at Eagle. Be a ground school instructor or do a pilot-mill academy thing. I chose to teach new-hires. Very good experience, glad I took it. Second was after 9/11. Keep going on my ratings or accept recall (and subsequent second furlough 6 months later) and do the 'family thing'. I chose the family route, and I couldn't be happier. Airplanes will always be there for me to fly, but my family is #1 right now. So I have twice chosen not to be a pilot, and for me I wouldn't have it any other way. __________________ PPL SEL 100-ish hours TT Former American Airlines F/A (12 months) Former Simmons/Eagle F/A (6 years) Former Eagle ground school instructor (1 year) Former Eagle IOE instructor (3 years)

October 2nd, 2006, 20:44	#22
Ophir Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: was Ophir, CO, now in SLC! Posts: 1,477	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? The first thing I would have changed was logging on to Jetcareers. No, seriously, finding this website was the best thing I have ever done. I took the advice on many on here and went through all the rating Part 61. But I had the money to go any pilot-mill I wanted to. I stayed at home and flew in the West and that was a great decision. I have also been fortunate to complete all my ratings at minimums and get on with SkyWest at mins too. It has been a great ride. But....... I don't think I would do it again. It is not that I am unhappy with my choices, they were great. But the collective decisions combined with the reality of the industry (yes, I was a bit of a dreamer) make me second guess that this career is the best choice for me. Honestly, one of the biggest factors is all the time on the road and away from home. And FYI, I am 37 and single. I have never been married but been in many great relationships. It is still hard being gone when you are single too. And for those who think that being single is the best choice, it has it's challenges too. __________________ Get in shape on your overnights: http://www.fitnessanywhere.com/Merch...27&AFFIL=Ophir

October 2nd, 2006, 20:46	#23
EatSleepFly Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: ?? Posts: 4,600	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? For awhile I said I wouldn't do this again if I had it to do over. I guess that was before I found my "calling" as a freight dog. I'm pretty happy for the most part these days... A few things I'd change: -I would've gone to a state school for a degree in basketweaving -I might've instructed longer than the 500 hrs. that I did, and kept instructing to hold out for something I really wanted instead of taking the first non-instructing job that came along -I wouldn't have let a relationship slow my career down as much as it did (wasn't that much, but still...) -I would've finished my A&P when I had the chance

October 3rd, 2006, 01:13	#24
Sprint100 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Santa Clarita, CA Posts: 5,858	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? I wouldn't have gotten married as soon as I did. My wife (girlfriend at the time) would have stuck around. No negative notions towards my wife, just that alot more time and money could have went towards training while I was working fulltime. __________________ "I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, that diminshes fear" - Rosa Parks

October 3rd, 2006, 01:18	#25
IFly85 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Live in MEM but commute to RDU Posts: 462	Re: If you had your time over again, would you do things differently? So far, I think I am pretty happy with how things have worked out. Although I'm not exactly up there in time with everyone else. (500TT and like 58Multi) But, I think what I would have changed would be when I came to college instead of holding out for a commercial flight lab, I should have started my commercial my first semester at the flight school where I am instructing now and I would have switched my major to Maint. Management a semester or so earlier. Because right now I am sitting here a senior in college and will have to go 1 extra semester for one class in order to get my degree. And, if i would ahve started flying at my current employer sooner I would deffinately have more flight time. But so far so good.

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