My Story!
Sky Scratcher,
Well done on starting such an interesting thread, with informative and positive replies from the assembled Pprunes. May I say that your eloquence and balanced thinking suggests that you will do well in your career, whichever direction you find yourself heading.
I had a passion for planes, trains and automobiles from an early age, dreamed of being a pilot, toyed with the idea of joining the Forces, was put off by ignorant teachers and unfriendly recuitment officers, went to University with an open (empty) mind, and finally took the easy option and became a solicitor. I reasoned that as a solicitor I would have interesting, intellectually demanding job and get paid well, thereby allowing me the funds to pursue my real passions in my spare time.
After 5 years in the legal industry I realised that I had got it all wrong. I never looked forward to getting to my desk in the morning or seeing piles of files awaiting my attention. It became painfully obvious to me that the pros of doing a job have to outweigh the cons or you'll slowly grind yourself into the ground. And that's how I felt. It effected my personality and my marriage. All this was purely down to my perception of the job. Others in law feel very differently - my wife loves being a solicitor - but it wasn't for me. I simply could not spend another 45 years in a career that didn't motivate me and made me feel like I was wasting my life, whatever the financial benefits, perceived or otherwise. .
So, get as many nuggets of wisdom from this thread as you can, but your choice of career must be a personal decision and please do not commit yourself to a career as a Dentist unless you have a passion for it!
MH 152
Well done on starting such an interesting thread, with informative and positive replies from the assembled Pprunes. May I say that your eloquence and balanced thinking suggests that you will do well in your career, whichever direction you find yourself heading.
I had a passion for planes, trains and automobiles from an early age, dreamed of being a pilot, toyed with the idea of joining the Forces, was put off by ignorant teachers and unfriendly recuitment officers, went to University with an open (empty) mind, and finally took the easy option and became a solicitor. I reasoned that as a solicitor I would have interesting, intellectually demanding job and get paid well, thereby allowing me the funds to pursue my real passions in my spare time.
After 5 years in the legal industry I realised that I had got it all wrong. I never looked forward to getting to my desk in the morning or seeing piles of files awaiting my attention. It became painfully obvious to me that the pros of doing a job have to outweigh the cons or you'll slowly grind yourself into the ground. And that's how I felt. It effected my personality and my marriage. All this was purely down to my perception of the job. Others in law feel very differently - my wife loves being a solicitor - but it wasn't for me. I simply could not spend another 45 years in a career that didn't motivate me and made me feel like I was wasting my life, whatever the financial benefits, perceived or otherwise. .
So, get as many nuggets of wisdom from this thread as you can, but your choice of career must be a personal decision and please do not commit yourself to a career as a Dentist unless you have a passion for it!
MH 152
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Apologies in advance for bringing this thread down to a certain level but I think (if you look hard enough) what I'm about to write may strike a few chords.
I was watching a re-run (again) of a Friends episode. Anyway, it is where the gang are in a hospital and Rachel (the lovely Miss Aniston) is chatting up a Gynaecologist. She is surprised that the guy has not had much success with relationships - even though he is attractive and a doctor.
His reply was an analogy with Rachel's waitress job - the comparison being that after an 8 hour shift of pouring coffee's, she would be sick of the sight of them when she gets home.
I guess the wannabes here that perceive an airline pilot as a glamorous job are the same ones that think being a gynaecologist would be pretty cool.
Unfortunately it won't always be Cheryl Cole or Megan Fox that walks through the door.
I was watching a re-run (again) of a Friends episode. Anyway, it is where the gang are in a hospital and Rachel (the lovely Miss Aniston) is chatting up a Gynaecologist. She is surprised that the guy has not had much success with relationships - even though he is attractive and a doctor.
His reply was an analogy with Rachel's waitress job - the comparison being that after an 8 hour shift of pouring coffee's, she would be sick of the sight of them when she gets home.
I guess the wannabes here that perceive an airline pilot as a glamorous job are the same ones that think being a gynaecologist would be pretty cool.
Unfortunately it won't always be Cheryl Cole or Megan Fox that walks through the door.
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Other Options
I sympathise with you completely! My parents where also keen for me o have other career options which I agreed with them. However, the overwhelming desire to fly for a living was enought for me to take on the challenge.
As some posters have already pointed out a military flying career could be an option. The medical requirements are often a lot tougher than in the civilian world so my first advice would be to look into these requirements.
There are also sponorship schemes available to bring the cost side of things down. If your looking to get straight into an airline job flying big jets this probably isn't the way for you. But again as many posters have already suggested it isn't always as glamorous as it looks.
If you do a little bit of homework you'll notice this group of companies were once part of a larger group that prided themselves on taking on young ambitious individuals like yourself.
www.rvl-group.com
www.highlandairways.couk
www.atlanticairlines.co.uk
The Atlantic Airlines scheme I believe is only part sponsored now but still worth looking at. The other two are complete 'zero to hero' schemes incuding ground school and CPL/IR training. They all comprise of an approximatley 18 month term as a cadet in wich various company orientated duties will be performed. Depending on which company you join depends on what these duties are.
If you want any more 'inside' info onthe RVL scheme feel free to PM me.
What ever you decide good luck mate!
As some posters have already pointed out a military flying career could be an option. The medical requirements are often a lot tougher than in the civilian world so my first advice would be to look into these requirements.
There are also sponorship schemes available to bring the cost side of things down. If your looking to get straight into an airline job flying big jets this probably isn't the way for you. But again as many posters have already suggested it isn't always as glamorous as it looks.
If you do a little bit of homework you'll notice this group of companies were once part of a larger group that prided themselves on taking on young ambitious individuals like yourself.
www.rvl-group.com
www.highlandairways.couk
www.atlanticairlines.co.uk
The Atlantic Airlines scheme I believe is only part sponsored now but still worth looking at. The other two are complete 'zero to hero' schemes incuding ground school and CPL/IR training. They all comprise of an approximatley 18 month term as a cadet in wich various company orientated duties will be performed. Depending on which company you join depends on what these duties are.
If you want any more 'inside' info onthe RVL scheme feel free to PM me.
What ever you decide good luck mate!
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Enjoy
And I bet any one of those companies will provide a job that is bucketloads more fun than button pushing in an Airbus at FL350 all day! It's one of those points that many of us tend to forget but the truth is that the smaller the aircraft you fly, the more fun the flying is, makes you wonder why so many of us are so keen to get on jets asap. There's a lot to be said for them whirly props!
Nice post Carlsberg.
Desk-pilot
Nice post Carlsberg.
Desk-pilot
