Change of plans - Forced hand I guess

[Airdale]

Well I had been contemplating going and working for the family business to pay off my flight school loan, and then get back into flying full time as an instructor afterwards. Well a couple of days ago my Father in Law, who runs the business, injured his knee pretty bad. He found out yesterday that he needs surgery to fix it, so that puts him down and out for a least a month. Well he had lined up a bunch of contract work for November, and well simply put, the work needs to be done or business will tank with nobody at the helm.

So in speaking with him, I've decided to take a break from full time instructing to run the wood floor business. I've got about 450TT with 320 multi. Not quite enough to get on with an Airline or Corporate gig yet, but I was making slow progress. I guess I'm a little relieved in some ways, because I'm going to be making a crazy amount of money these next few months, which is much needed with this ridiculous interest rate on the school loan. I'm no doubt going to be flying every chance I get, renting airplanes at the FBO on the weekends. I plan on running the business for awhile until he is back up and in full health, and then I'll re-evalute my game plan. My employer has been awesome about this and I've been left an opportunity to come back when things are taken care of.

I'm a little shocked right now at the thought of not flying almost everyday, but I think I'll be able to maintain some quality time in the air on the weekends. I haven't given up on the career yet, but I think a few months to pay down debt and really think about what I want to do is really what I need. I feel like I've been going back and forth between SJS and reality lately and whether or not I want to pursue a career as an Airline pilot or run the business and buy my own airplane. I guess we'll see in a few months as my hand is kind of forced here at the fear of loosing a family run business.

Just thought I'd post up the update. I'll still frequent JC though, I think this is a great site with a lot of great people.

[ready2fly]

Best of luck, dude! Keep us posted and most importantly - don't drop out of sight.

A flying gig ain't the end-all.

Do your thing and you'll be back in the right seat in no time.

R2F

[deserteaglle]

I bet this will probably end up being great for you. I think alot of people put aviation on a pedestal, and while it is a different kind of work than many other jobs/careers, its just another part of your hopefully long and enjoyable life.

Plus, I bet not having so much of that loan with the huge interest rate hanging over your head is going to make your flying alot more enjoyable anyway.

Good luck with everything.

[Kristie]

wood floor business? ya'll wouldn't be in the residential wood flooring biz anywhere near arizona would ya?

good luck with the biz.. flying will still be there when your done!!

[Van_Hoolio]

My employer has been awesome about this and I've been left an opportunity to come back when things are taken care of.

Take full advantage of that offer. Aviation is a lot easier to get out of than to get back into.

[amorris311]

Originally Posted by Kristie

wood floor business? ya'll wouldn't be in the residential wood flooring biz anywhere near arizona would ya?

good luck with the biz.. flying will still be there when your done!!

i think i remember him posting that he is in the northeast. dont quote me on that but if memory serves me correctly i think that is what he said.

[Swen]

Originally Posted by Kristie

wood floor business? ya'll wouldn't be in the residential wood flooring biz anywhere near arizona would ya?

good luck with the biz.. flying will still be there when your done!!

...Just send your handyman down to the Home Despot with the plastic card.

On track, as can see what the others are saying about it being a potentially good draw. Nonetheless, keep us informed.

[Airdale]

Thanks a lot for the replies and the advice.

We are residential and located in New Jersey. If it wasn't so hard, I'd fly out there and help ya out!

I was offered a part time instructing job awhile back but turned it down because I was working full time already. I think I'm going to contact them in a few weeks and see if there is still an opportunity to instruct part time.

Its just so hard to be plugging at this full time, trying to go after something I've always dreamed of as a kid, to end up delaying it longer. I feel like once I start making a lot of money with the business I might not want to go back, and thats what kind of bothers me. Hopefully when I get back into it full time and make a go at it for a career, the industry will be much better. I can only hope. For now I feel kind of depressed about the whole thing. A lot of money spent, a lot of hard work, and I was probably months away from a Regional job. I'm not sure if being an Airline pilot would have fit into the type of lifestyle I enjoy, but I would have found out in a few months.

[killbilly]

Good luck to you, mano. Let us know how it turns out.

[SkyHawg]

Airdale. When I was really indebt I used a program called Transforming Debt into Wealth. There is a wealth building component but all it is is taking the money you used to pay to pay off debt and invest it. It is a great system and would help you pay off that debt in an unbelievable amount of time. By unbelievable I mean just that. It a program that doesn't include any outside sources to help you. It doesn't use loans and any service from anybody of any kind. It's just you. Just thought you might be interested. I got mine from ebay since it's a little pricey.

[falconvalley]

When you're done helping your FiL, throw your resume out there, if you haven't already. That 320 multi is a rare gem for a 400 hr pilot. You never know...

[SkyHawg]

Oh he must have gone to ATP.

[Airdale]

Originally Posted by SkyHawg

Oh he must have gone to ATP.

Yup. Instruct here as well. I gotta say, I've never have a bad experience with ATP. The schedule and pay could have been better, but to be flying the Seminole everyday was awesome. On top of that, Jim the VP is an awesome guy. He's very professional, very understanding and he stands behind everything. I had a student flip out once in the simulator because I told him he needs to take his training more seriously after he failed to study, failed to complete homework assignments and didn't put enough effort into his training. He called crying that he wanted a new instructor because I was *tough* on him. It was handled quickly and professionally and I was impressed at how ATP stood behind me as the instructor. Since working here I've had a 90% first time pass rate with over 15 sign offs.

I did send my resume to Boston-Maine Airways a couple weeks ago, but I'm a bit short on their TT requirements, but I've got 3 times the multi requirement. Who knows, maybe they'll give me a call in a few weeks. Its just depressing right now knowing I won't be flying everyday.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Airdale

I did send my resume to Boston-Maine Airways a couple weeks ago, but I'm a bit short on their TT requirements, but I've got 3 times the multi requirement. Who knows, maybe they'll give me a call in a few weeks. Its just depressing right now knowing I won't be flying everyday.

Boston-Maine is a union busting carrier.

Take this as an opportunity of a lifetime. You'll come out of this (I assume) with zero student loan debt and a nice cash cushion in your bank account. I know you want to fly but I don't think it's worth the sacrifice at your point in time. You're making what, $12k/yr gross? I know multi time is important but you've got enough!

I had an opportunity like this (although not a family business) and now looking back I wished I would've gone for it. $$ isn't everything, but it's a lot. Flying will always be there.

[Ian J]

Airdale,

As a night and weekend instructor I can tell you that you certainly CAN get quaility time flying part time. I know it'll seem like a lot less at first, but you'll get used to it. I manage to instruct 20-25 hours a month part time, and that's in rainy-every-day Rochester. Good luck in the flooring business!

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

Airdale,

As a night and weekend instructor I can tell you that you certainly CAN get quaility time flying part time. I know it'll seem like a lot less at first, but you'll get used to it. I manage to instruct 20-25 hours a month part time, and that's in rainy-every-day Rochester. Good luck in the flooring business!

ROC eh? How's the weather up there? I have five overnights next month. I'm not looking forward to them - it's cold down here in Virginia!!! I can only imagine what it feels like up there!

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

ROC eh? How's the weather up there? I have five overnights next month. I'm not looking forward to them - it's cold down here in Virginia!!! I can only imagine what it feels like up there!

It's just strating to get cold up here, but not too bad... 35-40 F. But it just constantly rains here during the fall.

Let me know if you'd like a good meal and a beer while your here.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

It's just strating to get cold up here, but not too bad... 35-40 F. But it just constantly rains here during the fall.

Let me know if you'd like a good meal and a beer while your here.

I might have to shoot you a PM then!

PS 35-40 is freaking cold!!!

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

I might have to shoot you a PM then!

PS 35-40 is freaking cold!!!

Sure, anytime!

[SpiraMirabilis]

This is pretty cool. (Mathmatics/Computer Science major)