Going for Private License!

[todhog]

" If you have the $$$ go for it, but I still maintain my position that it is a poor choice of career."

Yes it is but it beats working for a living.

Lear you also make a great point about schools. I went to Embry-Riddle and it's a great (expensive) school but I too would recomend another school. Auburn or Purdue offer aviation and a real degree. Without flying, it's the front door of Walmart for me.

Todd

[73drvr]

Purdue is a good choice. Any guesses why I might say that??

[Tailwind]

Hi All,
I have to agree that you have to follow your dreams. If anything you will learn to fly and if you don't chose it as a career it can be a great hobby. I learned to fly when I was 16, My father had a plane and I have been around the airport my whole life. My brother and brother-in-law are Airline pilot's (brother-in-law also fly's F-18's in the Reserve). After Highschool, a year of college and learning to fly, I chose to go in the Military and worked as a Crewchief. Through the Military I was able to get my A&P tickets (and a tour in the first gulf war). After the military I had to decide to either go back to shool and finish my ratings, or pursue a career as a Technician. I chose the Technician route, mostly so I was home during the work week. I have worked my way into a Supervisor Position at a major airline, and my family lives comfortly and I can have my toy's also. I have worked for two major airlines, been furloughed, work shift work, deal with upper mgmnt and union BS, but I still am at awe when I walk up to a 777 nose cowl and look at that 112" fan,..or walk out on the flightline to check on my crew and watch a fully loaded 747 takeoff for Hong Kong non-stop....it is amazing that only 100 years have gone by since the Wright Brothers. My only regret is that I didn't get a College degree...so in closing I would say follow your dreams, get your pilots license, and go to College and get a degree so if the pilot career doesn't pan out you have something to fall back on.

[Leardriver]

Jim...I have made what I believe to be my final avaition career move and took a job at Flight Safety TEB in the Falcon 900EX program. No more 2am wake ups(at least not regularly..it's still aviation and the sims run 24/7 just like planes), working on a pager, lack of schedule (well it's better anyway), constant hotels, missed holidays/b-days/weekends, and in general complete and utter second class citizen treatment (typical of charter/fractionals like Net Jets....those are some REALLY bitter pilots!)/and commuter airlines,..did I mention fighting for every single day off because there is nothing that "could possibly more important than a trip" that they booked on your scheduled day off. Two words......never again. If this doesn't work out I will walk away from aviation and never look back. If I fly again it will be for fun, but to be honest there is zero interest..well almost zero...I can say I would like to go fly the 900 a little to experience it since I have put so much effort into learning every damn rivet on the thing! But it is only curiousity.

Todd...you mentioned it beats working....to me that statement couldn't be farther from the truth. Yes it is lovely to fly on some days/night, but you have little or no control over when, where, or how long. Plus, the pager goes off and nothing can be done fast enough (very safe) or you are waiting for 10hrs at a clip in some flea infested roach motel of an FBO in FREEZALOT, SIBERIA where they have never heard of cushioned chairs or heat. Yea I know, it sounds harsh...but if I had a dime for everytime that description fit a trip profile I could have retired a few years back. Yes....flying is working. The "fly" part is the smallest part of the job.

Ahhhhhhhh....I really need to get off this thread like I said....sorry fellas. Damn. Anyway, nobody listens to the guy that seems to be overly passionate about his position so I guess my posts are for naught. And truthfully I remember being 18 and know that I wasn't gonna listen to anyone's advise..I had to go find out for myself. So as I said earlier....good luck and I wish you you success in your venture.

Leardriver

[todhog]

I've seen what working people do, this beats working for a living.

Todd

[flyingklown]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Matt Chapman
	Hey Guys, I have to respectfully disagree with matus777. While I can see his point of view being an airline pilot myself, it's not a bad career chioce. Yes, the airlines are a lot different than they were 25 years ago, or for that matter 5 years ago. Every body in the industry knows that it goes in cycles....up...down...furloughs, hiring....forlough...hire.. It's been that way from the begining. It's not just the airlines that are changing here, it's corporate america. The whole retirement and pension thing has a lot of pilots stressing (myself included). However, if your young and looking at a career in the airlines, then you go in knowing this and you plan accordingly. If you look at the pay at the majors, even after the cuts, it's still not a bad living. It could and has been better, but still ok. And yes, I want what was taken from us back, but life goes on. Keeping it fun is great as long as you have a good enough job to go out and buy a plane, opperate it, make the payments ect... My advice to anyone interested in a career in avaition, have a good look at it. learn as much as you can about it, decide what workes for you and then go for with your eyes wide open. Just looking at it from a glass half full approach. Matt

WELL PUT MATT! Oh yeah Matt I have a message for you. I am going to PM you.

K L O W N

[GremlinX]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Biff
	PS,,the MD in MD- 88 stands for Matt's dad. Wait till you see the new company pant jobs for American airlines,,,,,

Correct, MD=Matts Daddy
Correct,88=Biff IQ..........

[Sukhoikid]

Wow! This came out to be a big thread! Guys thanks for all of your opinions on this subject. It not only help me but probably help many others. Im going to try to stick with what I love and it is flying and airplanes. But who says I am going to be a pilot. Im also looking at jobs around airplanes. One job is Air Traffic Controller. Anyway thanks for all of yawls help!!!!

[falconpilot]

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER???? did you say??? NOW, thats one you had really better take a hard look at!! After all, you'll be putting up with all us - "can't get us direct any faster " or "Metering???It's clear and a hundred up here today!!!..Your answer - Billy Boy or our good old boy, the Prez" is in town..It's his fault!!! I'm laughing at us all, by the way........

Whatever choises that you make, get educated about it, stand tough and strong, take whatever life throws at you, and always remember..It could be worse sometimes, but most of the time, IT'S GREAT!

Wish you luck in your career and decisions, and may GOD always be your Co-pilot!!! Jim

[GSFC_Pilot]

Yeah i'm 15 almost 16 and i'm going to solo in june, I have 54 hours in a cessna 152 and 20 hours in a piper archer

[krashmaster81]

hey GSFC_Pilot, that's awesome! That's quite a bit of time and you should have no trouble at all finishing off your Certificate once you are old enough... Keep up the good work, it isn't easy getting a pilot's certificate, you gotta work for it!

-Matt