Probably just going to make flying my hobby

CaliforniaSurfer · December 8th, 2004, 20:45

Yeah, it is hard to believe and took a little while to digest. It has been my goal for the past 3.5 years and I've had tunnel vision regarding the topic. I suppose it all happened when my wife and I found out that she was pregnant. Also, after my failure at the Eagle interview. It just got me thinking about our future and the QOL that we want.

We both want her to stay at home with baby and that means someone has to make the dough, especially in southern Cal. Working as a CFI just won't cut it, nor will a regional pilot salary. Aside from flying, the only other career I envision myself doing is law enforcement. So, a few weeks ago I filled out an application online for a couple different local agencies. I took the written and the physical agility test this past Saturday and did quite well. Today I had the oral panel interview and passed that. Next is the background investigation. I'm really excited about this new opportunity and hope I can eventually get into the air operations side of it, even if that means going to helicopter school.

Just wanted to share with the group. One less body to compete with.

Kevin

SteveC · December 8th, 2004, 21:01

It's all about what's right for you and your family. Always keep your priorities in the right order and you'll enjoy life....what more can one ask?

montanapilot · December 8th, 2004, 21:32

you never know if you get on with a large force you might be able to fly for em. We have a guy in our Instrument groundschool who is on the force thats getting his IFR so he can fly for the department. He told us the Portland Police department just purchased a sweet brand new 182 with a infrared camera for huntin bad guys.

Hootie · December 8th, 2004, 22:21

Man if I could get on with a fire department in a good city I'd make flying my hobby in a second! I have a couple of buddies that are cops, they love it, Good Luck!

braidkid · December 9th, 2004, 14:19

Hey Kevin,
I'm right behind you. I recently got a gig flying for a freight outfit. After flying 3:30 in the morning through a thunderstorm, living away from my wife and making $10/hour, I figured nuts to this.

I'm currently in the process of getting back on with Boeing as an engineer. The prospect of making $60k/year starting out sure is attractive. I can always instruct part time on the weekends and this way I could also finish my MBA.

Its a hard decision to make but ultimately depends on what QOL you're willing to settle for. I figured I'm worth a lot more than what this industry has provided thus far.

So one less person to compete with here as well.....

jonnyb · December 9th, 2004, 15:06

[ QUOTE ]
ts a hard decision to make but ultimately depends on what QOL you're willing to settle for

[/ QUOTE ]
You failed to mention "temporary" quality of life. It isn't THAT bad forever. Yes, dues have to be paid for a few years. That's life and you should know this applies to just about anything worth doing.
[ QUOTE ]
I figured I'm worth a lot more than what this industry has provided thus far.

[/ QUOTE ]
Really..........how long have you been flying professionally? Just curious man. I notice a lot of young (I'm young too

), inexperienced pilots thinking they deserve some large salary and benefits package right out of the gate. I don't get it.....

That's not how the world works. You have to gain experience and expertise to command more money and better positions. For some careers, this so called "experience and expertise" is considered to be obtained when a degree is earned. Well, not in this business. In addition to a degree (for some positions), you often need much verifiable experience in the forms of flight time, training, currency and prior experience in a particular position.

braidkid · December 9th, 2004, 15:13

Believe me Sean,
I'm fully aware of the sacrifices needed for this career and have no expectations. The fact that I've been working 24/7 for the past year making 25k/year doesn't make since when I can make 60k/year working a normal work week AND have the opportunity to explore other areas of interest while spending more time with my wife.

I guess what it comes down to is I don't want it bad enough to live in the trash can for x more years.

jonnyb · December 9th, 2004, 15:24

Understood man. That explains it. However, you could get a different flying job too.

There are many out there to be had right now.

Regrets just suck man, that's really what I'm getting at.

E_Dawg · December 11th, 2004, 01:52

Good luck whatever you do! Are you still flight instructing or is that over now?

H46Bubba · December 11th, 2004, 10:50

Be careful with your hopes of flying for a law enforcement department. You'll be up against some serious competition. You'll be up against military helo pilots, with thousands of hours of rotary time and now most have combat experience to go with it. But it doesn't help to try anyways. You might get lucky!

jonnyb · December 11th, 2004, 14:44

[ QUOTE ]
Be careful with your hopes of flying for a law enforcement department. You'll be up against some serious competition. You'll be up against military helo pilots, with thousands of hours of rotary time and now most have combat experience to go with it. But it doesn't help to try anyways. You might get lucky!

[/ QUOTE ]
It's definitely possible. But at my department (Huntington Beach P.D.), it was totally political and you had to have at least 10+ years on duty to be selected. Every now and then I'd see a 5-7 year guy get selected, but that was rare. I'm sure every department is different. We didn't have any former military pilots, or pilots with previous helicopter experience for that matter when I was at the department. I'm sure it's easier to get selected at larger departments with many aircraft such as LASO, San Bernardino County, LAPD, Riverside County and CHP.

wsuflyboy · December 11th, 2004, 17:58

Look for an agency that flies fixed wing only. The agency I work for only has planes so learning helo's was not an issue for me. The time to get a flying slot depends on the department. A lot of LE agencies want a minimum of 4-5 years on the road before applying for specialty positions. My agency only requires you be off probation ( 1 year).

Good luck with getting hired! It can be a long grueling process but it's worth it in the end.

ready2fly · December 13th, 2004, 10:11

Surf: Do what you feel is right for you and your family. Perhaps down the road, you'll find a more appropriate time to re-enter the world of professional aviation.

I applaud you for making the right decision for Y-O-U and your family! Best of luck, brother!

Stan

December 8th, 2004, 20:45	#1
CaliforniaSurfer Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: SoCal Posts: 296	Probably just going to make flying my hobby Yeah, it is hard to believe and took a little while to digest. It has been my goal for the past 3.5 years and I've had tunnel vision regarding the topic. I suppose it all happened when my wife and I found out that she was pregnant. Also, after my failure at the Eagle interview. It just got me thinking about our future and the QOL that we want. We both want her to stay at home with baby and that means someone has to make the dough, especially in southern Cal. Working as a CFI just won't cut it, nor will a regional pilot salary. Aside from flying, the only other career I envision myself doing is law enforcement. So, a few weeks ago I filled out an application online for a couple different local agencies. I took the written and the physical agility test this past Saturday and did quite well. Today I had the oral panel interview and passed that. Next is the background investigation. I'm really excited about this new opportunity and hope I can eventually get into the air operations side of it, even if that means going to helicopter school. Just wanted to share with the group. One less body to compete with. Kevin

December 8th, 2004, 21:01	#2
SteveC Moderator Join Date: May 2003 Location: GRR Posts: 8,257	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby It's all about what's right for you and your family. Always keep your priorities in the right order and you'll enjoy life....what more can one ask?

December 8th, 2004, 21:32	#3
montanapilot Old Skool Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland, Orygun Posts: 1,636	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby you never know if you get on with a large force you might be able to fly for em. We have a guy in our Instrument groundschool who is on the force thats getting his IFR so he can fly for the department. He told us the Portland Police department just purchased a sweet brand new 182 with a infrared camera for huntin bad guys.

December 8th, 2004, 22:21	#4
Hootie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Zona Posts: 1,149	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Man if I could get on with a fire department in a good city I'd make flying my hobby in a second! I have a couple of buddies that are cops, they love it, Good Luck!

December 9th, 2004, 14:19	#5
braidkid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 556	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Hey Kevin, I'm right behind you. I recently got a gig flying for a freight outfit. After flying 3:30 in the morning through a thunderstorm, living away from my wife and making $10/hour, I figured nuts to this. I'm currently in the process of getting back on with Boeing as an engineer. The prospect of making $60k/year starting out sure is attractive. I can always instruct part time on the weekends and this way I could also finish my MBA. Its a hard decision to make but ultimately depends on what QOL you're willing to settle for. I figured I'm worth a lot more than what this industry has provided thus far. So one less person to compete with here as well.....

December 9th, 2004, 15:06	#6
jonnyb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: So. California Posts: 1,304	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby [ QUOTE ] ts a hard decision to make but ultimately depends on what QOL you're willing to settle for [/ QUOTE ] You failed to mention "temporary" quality of life. It isn't THAT bad forever. Yes, dues have to be paid for a few years. That's life and you should know this applies to just about anything worth doing. [ QUOTE ] I figured I'm worth a lot more than what this industry has provided thus far. [/ QUOTE ] Really..........how long have you been flying professionally? Just curious man. I notice a lot of young (I'm young too ), inexperienced pilots thinking they deserve some large salary and benefits package right out of the gate. I don't get it..... That's not how the world works. You have to gain experience and expertise to command more money and better positions. For some careers, this so called "experience and expertise" is considered to be obtained when a degree is earned. Well, not in this business. In addition to a degree (for some positions), you often need much verifiable experience in the forms of flight time, training, currency and prior experience in a particular position.

December 9th, 2004, 15:13	#7
braidkid Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 556	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Believe me Sean, I'm fully aware of the sacrifices needed for this career and have no expectations. The fact that I've been working 24/7 for the past year making 25k/year doesn't make since when I can make 60k/year working a normal work week AND have the opportunity to explore other areas of interest while spending more time with my wife. I guess what it comes down to is I don't want it bad enough to live in the trash can for x more years.

December 9th, 2004, 15:24	#8
jonnyb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: So. California Posts: 1,304	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Understood man. That explains it. However, you could get a different flying job too. There are many out there to be had right now. Regrets just suck man, that's really what I'm getting at.

December 11th, 2004, 01:52	#9
E_Dawg Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: chicago Posts: 4,124	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Good luck whatever you do! Are you still flight instructing or is that over now?

December 11th, 2004, 10:50	#10
H46Bubba Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: CVG Posts: 4,049	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Be careful with your hopes of flying for a law enforcement department. You'll be up against some serious competition. You'll be up against military helo pilots, with thousands of hours of rotary time and now most have combat experience to go with it. But it doesn't help to try anyways. You might get lucky!

December 11th, 2004, 14:44	#11
jonnyb Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: So. California Posts: 1,304	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby [ QUOTE ] Be careful with your hopes of flying for a law enforcement department. You'll be up against some serious competition. You'll be up against military helo pilots, with thousands of hours of rotary time and now most have combat experience to go with it. But it doesn't help to try anyways. You might get lucky! [/ QUOTE ] It's definitely possible. But at my department (Huntington Beach P.D.), it was totally political and you had to have at least 10+ years on duty to be selected. Every now and then I'd see a 5-7 year guy get selected, but that was rare. I'm sure every department is different. We didn't have any former military pilots, or pilots with previous helicopter experience for that matter when I was at the department. I'm sure it's easier to get selected at larger departments with many aircraft such as LASO, San Bernardino County, LAPD, Riverside County and CHP.

December 11th, 2004, 17:58	#12
wsuflyboy Newbie Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: the great northwest Posts: 5	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Look for an agency that flies fixed wing only. The agency I work for only has planes so learning helo's was not an issue for me. The time to get a flying slot depends on the department. A lot of LE agencies want a minimum of 4-5 years on the road before applying for specialty positions. My agency only requires you be off probation ( 1 year). Good luck with getting hired! It can be a long grueling process but it's worth it in the end.

December 13th, 2004, 10:11	#13
ready2fly Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: DFW Posts: 7,049	Re: Probably just going to make flying my hobby Surf: Do what you feel is right for you and your family. Perhaps down the road, you'll find a more appropriate time to re-enter the world of professional aviation. I applaud you for making the right decision for Y-O-U and your family! Best of luck, brother! Stan

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