It wasn't my first choice in careers, science was. Got taken on a scenic flight by a colleague at work when I was 21. That got me thinking about flying and getting a PPL. Once I started flight training I decided to get my CPL.
Did every thing part time aka modular here. PPL in 1987 in Sydney, Australia. COntined working my main job as a lab technician at uni. To help pay for the flying and the mortgage I worked as a high school cleaner, bar attendant and a bouncer. Of course, not all at the same time. While working the main job and one or two of the part time jobs I was studying for the CPL. Used all the holidays to do the flying.
I got my CIR (aka multi engine IR) in 1989. This was the year that aviation in Australia changed forever. Once the dust had settled Australia slid into a recession and the chances of flying work was very thin.
Ended up getting the CPL in 1991. Started working part time on the instructor rating which I got in 1992. I started working part time as a Grade 3 instructor cum general dog's body on the weekends at Hoxton Park. In the meantime I was studying for the ATPL. (5 nights a week at tech). Do the maths, full time day job, part time weekend work, 5 nights at tech. Very very busy and stuff all time to myself. This is how I spent 1993.
The signs were good for recovery. So, in Jan 1994 packed a car, left work, family and friends and struck out to the Kimberley to get a job. (Kimberley region in Western Australia). Got work as an aircraft washer and general hangar slave. Just over 4 months later I get a full time flying job. I was flying C206/7/10's carrying tourists on scenics, govt workers and aborigines to communities. Absolutely incredible flying and scenery. GPS? what's that?
The following year (1995) sees me returning from Sydney armed with the ATPL subjects passed. Finally. Now I get onto the Partenavia (twin) as well as the singles.
1996 sees me shift to Broome and Islander flying for Australian Customs. aka Coastwatch. I do this for over 2 years. Again, amazing scenery and incredible flying but my IR skills deteriorate because I am flying mainly VFR. This does cause some problems so I decided to head east and get some more IMC flying. I have the hours to get my Aust ATPL.
In late 1998 find me in Cairns flying as an FO on Bandits and Twotters. I have about 3300 hours. I get some great experience zooming around cyclones and get familiar with multi crew turbine operations. I have a great time in Cairns. One of the world's paradises.
Mid 2000 after a great holiday to the UK sees me perched in a Dash 8 living in Sydney. I quickly realised that if I want to fly jets I got to shift. I had other reasons apart from that and thus in early 2001 finds me sitting in a 744 flying to the UK to start a new life here.
2001 sees me complete all the rotten JAR ATPL exams. September 2001 sees all my (and I dare say others) plans being rewritten. I go home for a while to regroup. (Dad had died etc while I was in the UK).
2002 sees me get a Shed rating and a JAR ATPL. Now I start work in Ops for Streamline. Very useful and I learnt a lot. Dec 31 2002 I get the OPC done and I start flying full time. A year has passed and I am still sitting in the RHS of a Shed flying night freight. I hope to change jobs very soon. I have over 5000 hours( nearly 2000 hours turbine), 38 years old.
Some days it's great. Other days it sucks.
You really got to want this career.