FAO: Experienced professional pilots - if you had to do it all again....
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FAO: Experienced professional pilots - if you had to do it all again....
Having got to a point where I am sick and tired of my current career, and realising that regardless of the effort I apply the salary will never be sufficient to fund an aviation vocation, I have done some re-evaluating and decided that I've got to change.
Courtesy of the bank of mum and dad I potentially have the money available to fund my studies via the modular route, should I wish. I realise that such an admission is normally the starting pistol for ridicule and derision, but they offered their support without even being asked, and the money would only be taken on the account that it would be fully repaid.
However, I am not so naive to take the cash and throw it at some FTO with visions of captaining the A380. In fact, I am hesitant to do anything at all right now.
I'm not ashamed to say that in my position the view of the industry is still an optimistic one, a position which is clearly not shared by many in the industry. As such I'm asking a simple question -
If you had your money again, what would you do?
My ultimate ambition is to have a 'life' in aviation. As to the intricacies of this life I am yet undecided. It sounds extremely vague but at this time my previous ambitions look less and less attractive every day. I see more and more people sell themselves for type ratings etc, and fear that with the approach I previously planned I would end up one of the increasing many stuck between training and airline with no money and no hope.
I realise that many may view a life in aviation as a mistake, but if so then I think it's a mistake I may have to make on my own!
Courtesy of the bank of mum and dad I potentially have the money available to fund my studies via the modular route, should I wish. I realise that such an admission is normally the starting pistol for ridicule and derision, but they offered their support without even being asked, and the money would only be taken on the account that it would be fully repaid.
However, I am not so naive to take the cash and throw it at some FTO with visions of captaining the A380. In fact, I am hesitant to do anything at all right now.
I'm not ashamed to say that in my position the view of the industry is still an optimistic one, a position which is clearly not shared by many in the industry. As such I'm asking a simple question -
If you had your money again, what would you do?
My ultimate ambition is to have a 'life' in aviation. As to the intricacies of this life I am yet undecided. It sounds extremely vague but at this time my previous ambitions look less and less attractive every day. I see more and more people sell themselves for type ratings etc, and fear that with the approach I previously planned I would end up one of the increasing many stuck between training and airline with no money and no hope.
I realise that many may view a life in aviation as a mistake, but if so then I think it's a mistake I may have to make on my own!
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Skittles I am sure you are aware of this, but there are various threads kicking around on these forums which represent a similar theme, to which a number of people have given some good advice and made some valuable points, so it may be worth doing a search.
However to answer your question. It s tough call. One problem I face these days when people ask me for advice, is that the whole process of training and recruitment is constantly changing and the advice and experience I have to offer may be somewhat dated. On saying that, from a statistical point of view, a lot of people that have been successful in achieving their goals on these forums have also been presented with the same negativity from the prospects within the industry and other people telling them they are wasting their time.
I guess without going into minute detail, is, as we all did back in the days when we were faced with a similar predicament, is take on board all the facts, the advice, good and bad, and make a sensible decision. Another thing, and I am sure some will hang me for this, but give some consideration to what your heart tells you. I tried to adopt this attitude using the tools I have presented here, and it worked, it took a while, but it worked and I am now very happy in my profession. For me happiness in my work in a key element and was worth the sacrifices, but everyone is different.
All the best with what you decide sir.
Cheers.
However to answer your question. It s tough call. One problem I face these days when people ask me for advice, is that the whole process of training and recruitment is constantly changing and the advice and experience I have to offer may be somewhat dated. On saying that, from a statistical point of view, a lot of people that have been successful in achieving their goals on these forums have also been presented with the same negativity from the prospects within the industry and other people telling them they are wasting their time.
I guess without going into minute detail, is, as we all did back in the days when we were faced with a similar predicament, is take on board all the facts, the advice, good and bad, and make a sensible decision. Another thing, and I am sure some will hang me for this, but give some consideration to what your heart tells you. I tried to adopt this attitude using the tools I have presented here, and it worked, it took a while, but it worked and I am now very happy in my profession. For me happiness in my work in a key element and was worth the sacrifices, but everyone is different.
All the best with what you decide sir.
Cheers.
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CAT3C, thanks for your comments.
I am aware of the reccurrence in these types of thread - I suppose it is representative of the fact that as you say the face of the game is constantly changing.
I suppose this thread is slightly different in that I'm not asking to be an airline pilot or not - I'm more interested in the careers people would now choose, with the benefit of experience. I anticipate that the answers will still be aviation related, but following a different path than they originally went for.
Thanks again.
I am aware of the reccurrence in these types of thread - I suppose it is representative of the fact that as you say the face of the game is constantly changing.
I suppose this thread is slightly different in that I'm not asking to be an airline pilot or not - I'm more interested in the careers people would now choose, with the benefit of experience. I anticipate that the answers will still be aviation related, but following a different path than they originally went for.
Thanks again.
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Would I do it again? Hell yes! I have always loved flying, I enjoy going to work and I get paid well for it. Sitting in an office shuffling paperwork every day would drive me insane with boredom.
But here's the critical point: I managed to get a job. There are plenty of people I trained with who never even got an interview, let alone a job offer. Some of these people were thoroughly competent and deserved a chance but there just weren't enough jobs to go round. Ask these guys if they'd do it all over again and you'd probably get a very different answer.
So... do you feel lucky?
But here's the critical point: I managed to get a job. There are plenty of people I trained with who never even got an interview, let alone a job offer. Some of these people were thoroughly competent and deserved a chance but there just weren't enough jobs to go round. Ask these guys if they'd do it all over again and you'd probably get a very different answer.
So... do you feel lucky?
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Don't be vague about your ambitions; think of your dream role in aviation and plan out your route to reach it (if you know already what you want to do, then shout about it!)
Mine was to be an airline captain, not fighter pilot, flying instructor, or air taxi pilot. I formulated a plan and set off. But I was incredibly lucky - right place, right time, right decision. Many don't get the luck which is undoubtedly needed.
It cost me my first marriage, but this worked out for the better (eventually, and hopefully for both of us) and it was the hardest endeavour I have ever set upon. I would do it all again, even if I'm now fed up with how airlines are squeezing Ts&Cs down the pan. But back then, I didn't have the responsibilities I have now. I don't want to gamble the future security of my children by pursuing my dream.
So, the cautious answer to your question is; yes, but only if I had no one else to worry about.
Happy decision making...
JT
Mine was to be an airline captain, not fighter pilot, flying instructor, or air taxi pilot. I formulated a plan and set off. But I was incredibly lucky - right place, right time, right decision. Many don't get the luck which is undoubtedly needed.
It cost me my first marriage, but this worked out for the better (eventually, and hopefully for both of us) and it was the hardest endeavour I have ever set upon. I would do it all again, even if I'm now fed up with how airlines are squeezing Ts&Cs down the pan. But back then, I didn't have the responsibilities I have now. I don't want to gamble the future security of my children by pursuing my dream.
So, the cautious answer to your question is; yes, but only if I had no one else to worry about.
Happy decision making...
JT
