ISO Career Changers
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ISO Career Changers
Hey All,
I'm looking to talk to someone who changed careers and entered the aviation industry after having a "high" earning (6 figures) job. Current CFI, exploring my options of chasing my dreams as an airline pilot. Thanks in advance
I'm looking to talk to someone who changed careers and entered the aviation industry after having a "high" earning (6 figures) job. Current CFI, exploring my options of chasing my dreams as an airline pilot. Thanks in advance
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- Rank 1
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:33 pm
Re: ISO Career Changers
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Last edited by cargocowboy on Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: ISO Career Changers
Yep me.
Dropped out of the flying game in ‘86, joined the military, uni and now finishing up a nice stable career.
Got my CPL now, starting instructor and will teach in retirement with a nice “supplemental” pension…
No regrets….
Dropped out of the flying game in ‘86, joined the military, uni and now finishing up a nice stable career.
Got my CPL now, starting instructor and will teach in retirement with a nice “supplemental” pension…
No regrets….
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- Rank 5
- Posts: 385
- Joined: Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:28 pm
- Ash Ketchum
- Rank 6
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:52 am
Re: ISO Career Changers
I agree. I left a high paying job in tech to fly for the airlines and am struggling to make ends meet for my family. It takes too long to make decent money as an airline pilot in Canada.
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- Rank 1
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:33 pm
Re: ISO Career Changers
I did. Took a 75% paycut initially. Down to about 50% now after 4 years. I have no regrets. I'm not the type of person that can sit at a desk or in meetings from 8-5, or slaved to your cell phone or outlook calendar.
I have far more time off now, and I have lots of hobbies outside of work. I took on no debt for flight training, which would have been a deal breaker for me. My wife is supportive and makes a decent income, which also would have been a deal breaker. We have always lived beneath our means, which helps with the low income.
I have done many different things, and flying is the easiest job I've ever had. Acquiring an ATPL is much easier than a P.Eng. If all goes to plan I should be back to pre-aviation income levels in 3 years. That will leave me a solid 25 years of high income in a job a truly enjoy with tons of time off. Obviously there are risks like covid, recessions, etc, but my previous career definitely wasn't immune to ups and downs either.
Good luck.
I have far more time off now, and I have lots of hobbies outside of work. I took on no debt for flight training, which would have been a deal breaker for me. My wife is supportive and makes a decent income, which also would have been a deal breaker. We have always lived beneath our means, which helps with the low income.
I have done many different things, and flying is the easiest job I've ever had. Acquiring an ATPL is much easier than a P.Eng. If all goes to plan I should be back to pre-aviation income levels in 3 years. That will leave me a solid 25 years of high income in a job a truly enjoy with tons of time off. Obviously there are risks like covid, recessions, etc, but my previous career definitely wasn't immune to ups and downs either.
Good luck.
- Ash Ketchum
- Rank 6
- Posts: 400
- Joined: Sun Dec 29, 2019 11:52 am
Re: ISO Career Changers
That's a great write up. I think the part of your wife making good money is key. My wife decided to become a sahm just as I got hired onto my first airline so I have struggled with the low pay and having to juggle an extra job with flying to make ends meet.cargocowboy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:45 am I did. Took a 75% paycut initially. Down to about 50% now after 4 years. I have no regrets. I'm not the type of person that can sit at a desk or in meetings from 8-5, or slaved to your cell phone or outlook calendar.
I have far more time off now, and I have lots of hobbies outside of work. I took on no debt for flight training, which would have been a deal breaker for me. My wife is supportive and makes a decent income, which also would have been a deal breaker. We have always lived beneath our means, which helps with the low income.
I have done many different things, and flying is the easiest job I've ever had. Acquiring an ATPL is much easier than a P.Eng. If all goes to plan I should be back to pre-aviation income levels in 3 years. That will leave me a solid 25 years of high income in a job a truly enjoy with tons of time off. Obviously there are risks like covid, recessions, etc, but my previous career definitely wasn't immune to ups and downs either.
Good luck.
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- Rank 1
- Posts: 43
- Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 1:33 pm
Re: ISO Career Changers
Yeah, it's a highly personal decision, so many variables. Throw in the outrageous cost of living now, and it's an even harder decision. A guy has to feed his family at the end of the day.Ash Ketchum wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 11:57 amThat's a great write up. I think the part of your wife making good money is key. My wife decided to become a sahm just as I got hired onto my first airline so I have struggled with the low pay and having to juggle an extra job with flying to make ends meet.cargocowboy wrote: ↑Sun Mar 27, 2022 10:45 am I did. Took a 75% paycut initially. Down to about 50% now after 4 years. I have no regrets. I'm not the type of person that can sit at a desk or in meetings from 8-5, or slaved to your cell phone or outlook calendar.
I have far more time off now, and I have lots of hobbies outside of work. I took on no debt for flight training, which would have been a deal breaker for me. My wife is supportive and makes a decent income, which also would have been a deal breaker. We have always lived beneath our means, which helps with the low income.
I have done many different things, and flying is the easiest job I've ever had. Acquiring an ATPL is much easier than a P.Eng. If all goes to plan I should be back to pre-aviation income levels in 3 years. That will leave me a solid 25 years of high income in a job a truly enjoy with tons of time off. Obviously there are risks like covid, recessions, etc, but my previous career definitely wasn't immune to ups and downs either.
Good luck.
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- Rank 5
- Posts: 383
- Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:19 pm
Re: ISO Career Changers
Do the rest of the industry a favour, please, and demand that you are paid as good as, or better than appropriately!
You might not need the job or the money, but some poor kid starting out most definitely does..
Everything has an end, except a sausage, which has two!