Hi,
I'm looking for some inspiration here.
I'm 30, married with one child. I hold a Commercial, MIFR and Class IV instructor (lapsed).
My heart and soul is in aviation (I sit in my office and think about airplanes all day) but I'm old and being married with a little girl means that it's very hard financially speaking to compete against the guys who work for free or the guys who work for $8/hr.
I'm thinking taking another stab at getting into the aviation game, but am very concerned not only about the employment situation but also the financial aspects.
I work in a professional field now and working as a pilot means taking a not insignificant pay cut. It would be a tough pill to swallow given that I'm not 20 and single anymore, but I'm sure I could pull it off with some creative budgeting.
Has anyone out there in my shoes been able to do it? In other words, work as an entry level pilot and support a family at the same time?
Are there any companies out there that actually give preferance to older fellows? At 30 I feel very old given the age of some of the people I'm competing against, many of whom are just out of high school or community colleges.
Married with Children and working as a Pilot
Moderators: sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, North Shore, I WAS Birddog
Married with Children and working as a Pilot
Last edited by Vmax on Tue May 18, 2004 11:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Panama Jack
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Hey Vmax,
My best friend does it on a daily basis! Approachin' the 4K hour mark, he hasn't seen his kids & wife in almost 1.5 year now!
I see that you wrote Com. Multi-IFR & Instructor! So you're basically at the bottom of the food chain. You haven't experienced yet, but more importantly, your family hasn't experienced yet the downside of aviation...Money, schedules, location etc...When you start out, you go to no men's land, that is if you ever get to start out!
I wasn't able to hang on! I have good hours in the book and no kid on the horizon! Just a supportive girl! Decided that the desk job was worth the try since it provided me with so much more all around! I still wanna fly! Like you, when you have the bug, you have bug!!
But I will do it on the side...Rent that 172 now and then till that first bird is purchased! Owning, renting, fractionnal ownership can all be solutions to your problem!
Or like PJ said, part time instructing?? I guess when you say Instructor rating lapsed, it also means it will remain lapsed till more $$ come in right??
Anyhow, I might sound negative but it is just meant to balance out all the other posts that will be more positive!!
Cheers
My best friend does it on a daily basis! Approachin' the 4K hour mark, he hasn't seen his kids & wife in almost 1.5 year now!
I see that you wrote Com. Multi-IFR & Instructor! So you're basically at the bottom of the food chain. You haven't experienced yet, but more importantly, your family hasn't experienced yet the downside of aviation...Money, schedules, location etc...When you start out, you go to no men's land, that is if you ever get to start out!
I wasn't able to hang on! I have good hours in the book and no kid on the horizon! Just a supportive girl! Decided that the desk job was worth the try since it provided me with so much more all around! I still wanna fly! Like you, when you have the bug, you have bug!!
But I will do it on the side...Rent that 172 now and then till that first bird is purchased! Owning, renting, fractionnal ownership can all be solutions to your problem!
Or like PJ said, part time instructing?? I guess when you say Instructor rating lapsed, it also means it will remain lapsed till more $$ come in right??
Anyhow, I might sound negative but it is just meant to balance out all the other posts that will be more positive!!
Cheers
In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. Buffett-
Panama Jack
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Yoyoma has some great advice there. Other options are joining a glider club, which brings a lot more satisfaction by associating with friendly, like-minded people. In your office you probably have some sailing aficionados (who don't run off an join the merchant marine or the navy), avid fishermen (who don't go off and buy a commercial boat and license) and devoted religious types (who don't sell everything to bring the bible to and live with people in the Amazon). After a while, it all becomes a job and starts to lose it's luster. Many airline pilots I know don't like to talk about flying-- they talk about investments, cars, fishing, hunting, their Herbal Life distributorship, or any other range of activities. I also know many whose objective is to see (and they like to brag about it) how little flying they can do in a month.
I know many pilots who wish they could spend more time with their families (myself included). I spend months away from the family at a time, the weeks we are together are magical but they go by so fast. Our daughter asks "why does daddy always have to go soooo far away?" Another pilot friend similarly spends months away from his wife and kids. He got a new job that will allow him to come home most nights, but it wife is concerned about what life will be like moving to some small town in the North. Keep in mind that we are not low-time pilots by any means.
Another fellow for the company I work for is in the IT field. A big-time aviation enthusiast, he is taking an early retirement to move with his wife to Alberta, where he hopes to be able to fly a little more in partial retirement, maybe as a flight instructor. You don't have to wait to that point, you could be doing that now.
I know many pilots who wish they could spend more time with their families (myself included). I spend months away from the family at a time, the weeks we are together are magical but they go by so fast. Our daughter asks "why does daddy always have to go soooo far away?" Another pilot friend similarly spends months away from his wife and kids. He got a new job that will allow him to come home most nights, but it wife is concerned about what life will be like moving to some small town in the North. Keep in mind that we are not low-time pilots by any means.
Another fellow for the company I work for is in the IT field. A big-time aviation enthusiast, he is taking an early retirement to move with his wife to Alberta, where he hopes to be able to fly a little more in partial retirement, maybe as a flight instructor. You don't have to wait to that point, you could be doing that now.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
just a thought: is it fair to instruct for fun on the side, and take that job away from some kid who wants to build hours to launch his career? i view that as similar to the retired a.c. guy who goes and finds a corporate job 'cause he can't give it up. easy for me to say, maybe, but still not fair.
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Panama Jack
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Your concerns resonate with me gelbisch.
Unfortunately, in a free market economy anybody is entitled to pursue whatever job they wish (the prospective employer does the sifting). The fact of the matter is that there is too much supply in Canada for the given demand. However, as far as I read it, Vmax is asking whether he should throw himself into the pool or not. I feel that whether he throws himself into the pool or instructs on weekends at the local school is pretty much equal-- it may even be better for the glossy-eyed future Airbus ace in that guys like Vmax offer relief and only take away a ½ or a ¼ job.
In any case, if Air Canada tanks, whether guys like Vmax enter the industry or not will be pretty trivial for those who are hopeful of upward movement in the industry during the next few years.
Unfortunately, in a free market economy anybody is entitled to pursue whatever job they wish (the prospective employer does the sifting). The fact of the matter is that there is too much supply in Canada for the given demand. However, as far as I read it, Vmax is asking whether he should throw himself into the pool or not. I feel that whether he throws himself into the pool or instructs on weekends at the local school is pretty much equal-- it may even be better for the glossy-eyed future Airbus ace in that guys like Vmax offer relief and only take away a ½ or a ¼ job.
In any case, if Air Canada tanks, whether guys like Vmax enter the industry or not will be pretty trivial for those who are hopeful of upward movement in the industry during the next few years.
Last edited by Panama Jack on Wed May 19, 2004 6:09 am, edited 1 time in total.
“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
-President Ronald Reagan
Been there and made it. Married, 2 kids (toddlers). Finally have a decent job with respect to schedule, conditions etc. The secret is in the wife/girlfriend. Very few will tough it out. If they can survive 5 or 6 years at the bottom of the pilot chain then 30 years of marriage will be a cinch. You need to market yourself to a potential employer as a different type of commodity who just happens to fly and can fill in on the side. For example... An accountant, a supervisor, a computer or network guy, lawyer etc... who is licenced and current. Sell them on the idea of PPC'ing you and that you can fly as a backup once and awhile. The hours will build much more slowly, but in principle, the paycheck should be a little better.
Vmax, I was in the same boat as you a couple years ago... planning a move from IT to aviation but when we had a little girl I put the dream on hold. Rounded up a few friends from my commercial class and we bought a plane and just fly for fun and time building. Also joined the local COPA flight and fly the Young Eagles and Big Brothers\Sisters flights, fly into airshows\KOSH, etc. Its not an aviation job, but I can't complain... flying is pure enjoyment... we can fly whenever we want without the hassles of schedules, crabby pax and high pucker factor flights.
Figure in a few years our little girl won't want anything to do with us anyway, so then Ill be OK to try and move careers...
I also did the glider club thing for a few years before getting my CPL... excellent experience. And as a plus. every wekend after gliding turned into a big BBQ, Beer, bonfire bash. Great suggestion!
Good Luck.
Figure in a few years our little girl won't want anything to do with us anyway, so then Ill be OK to try and move careers...
I also did the glider club thing for a few years before getting my CPL... excellent experience. And as a plus. every wekend after gliding turned into a big BBQ, Beer, bonfire bash. Great suggestion!
Good Luck.
in a similar boat
Vmax,
You are faced with a very tough "choice" and one that I feel alot of us bug bitten individuals have to make. It's true that at thirty (myself included) we are a little older, but I don't think that age is necessarily a major factor when it comes to getting a job, it's the experience and the attitude. And sometimes, a little more that should be, who you know.
Unlike yourself I am not officially "married" but I have a girlfriend and I have no kids. Like yourself, unfortunately I am not employed as a pilot and would like that more than anything. A few sacrifices I have had to make are living with my parents longer than I would have hoped and doing seasonal work to enable myself to fly. But it is also very tough to do the seasonal thing because it is not very lucritive. If you read this forum often you will come to find that there are alot of pilots out there just like you and I and we do the best we can to survive.
Do remember that "society" or "flight schools" are very good at marketing the dream of becoming a pilot. Someone once said something to someone in a class that I was in onetime that stuck with me.."Oh you want to wear the pilot's uniform, but you don't want to fly the airplane huh?"
The reason I point this out is because if you read the post "Am i getting into the right career" and especially the reply by "Rebel" -Rick Drury...
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=1571
... then you might agree that the industry is just not the same as it used to be. I sometimes think that there are too many pilots being trained, only to become instructors to train even more pilots. doesn't make sense.
...sorry i got a little off track there... a "little Diversion" I guess a part of my rebelion self surfaced. oops!@
But in the end it all comes down to choices; some we regret and some we don't. All in all, each person needs to make decisions for themselves. Now I know that sounds selfish, but if your wife and little girl are supportive of what you do, then you and your family will make chioces that reflect eachothers and as long as everyone can accept the changes and little sacrifices that need to be made then evreything will be fine. I'm sure you've heard that life is a journey and not a destination.
Life-
It is a "hard road" -Sam Roberts
Sometimes all we need to fill our lives with happiness is ; something to hope for, something to love and something to do.
I hope your days are less painful by hoping for that job that you really want, not letting the immediate fact of where you are right now get you down and keep a positive attitude as to where you want to go and you will get there. Don't give up... I hope this is inspiration of a kind.
From one Aviator to another,
Goodluck
You are faced with a very tough "choice" and one that I feel alot of us bug bitten individuals have to make. It's true that at thirty (myself included) we are a little older, but I don't think that age is necessarily a major factor when it comes to getting a job, it's the experience and the attitude. And sometimes, a little more that should be, who you know.
Unlike yourself I am not officially "married" but I have a girlfriend and I have no kids. Like yourself, unfortunately I am not employed as a pilot and would like that more than anything. A few sacrifices I have had to make are living with my parents longer than I would have hoped and doing seasonal work to enable myself to fly. But it is also very tough to do the seasonal thing because it is not very lucritive. If you read this forum often you will come to find that there are alot of pilots out there just like you and I and we do the best we can to survive.
Do remember that "society" or "flight schools" are very good at marketing the dream of becoming a pilot. Someone once said something to someone in a class that I was in onetime that stuck with me.."Oh you want to wear the pilot's uniform, but you don't want to fly the airplane huh?"
The reason I point this out is because if you read the post "Am i getting into the right career" and especially the reply by "Rebel" -Rick Drury...
http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=1571
... then you might agree that the industry is just not the same as it used to be. I sometimes think that there are too many pilots being trained, only to become instructors to train even more pilots. doesn't make sense.
...sorry i got a little off track there... a "little Diversion" I guess a part of my rebelion self surfaced. oops!@
But in the end it all comes down to choices; some we regret and some we don't. All in all, each person needs to make decisions for themselves. Now I know that sounds selfish, but if your wife and little girl are supportive of what you do, then you and your family will make chioces that reflect eachothers and as long as everyone can accept the changes and little sacrifices that need to be made then evreything will be fine. I'm sure you've heard that life is a journey and not a destination.
Life-
It is a "hard road" -Sam Roberts
Sometimes all we need to fill our lives with happiness is ; something to hope for, something to love and something to do.
I hope your days are less painful by hoping for that job that you really want, not letting the immediate fact of where you are right now get you down and keep a positive attitude as to where you want to go and you will get there. Don't give up... I hope this is inspiration of a kind.
From one Aviator to another,
Goodluck
message to Vmax: you have to cheer up Vmax, I am 37 years of age and began to fly when I was 15. I have all the ratings and licences and looking for that elusive 2nd flying job after flying floats 2 years ago. All I can say, with all these crap going on with the government raising taxes, people getting sick while others declare bankruptcy and all other problems in this world, I too have a wife and a mortgage, but you know what! WHO CARES we only live once and if you love to fly like I do, do whatever it takes to get up everyday and DO what you love to do somehow, someway.
I talked to the Jazz chief pilot in person and he told me that age means nothing if you have the right attitude, as he has hired pilots in their 30 s and 40 s and even some in their 50 s so there, IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU!
cheers,
I talked to the Jazz chief pilot in person and he told me that age means nothing if you have the right attitude, as he has hired pilots in their 30 s and 40 s and even some in their 50 s so there, IT IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU!
cheers,
I suspect that for most people the grass always looks greener somewhere else. Personally, I don't know anyone who is completely happy and feeling totally fulfilled with their lot in life, including me. After all, if you don't have dreams, ambitions, and goals to work toward you might as well be dead.
I walked away from full time flying 23 years ago. I'm always wishing I could fly more than I do and sometimes have a bit of envy for those flying full time. But when I pragmatically look at my life vs most friends who stayed in aviation, the quality of life big picture makes my decision the hands down better choice for me. And almost all of them in aviation now wish they had followed me out the door. However, there are also a couple others who happened to conistantly be in the right places at the right times and made meteoric rises into the majors. They have me soundly beat in both pay and quality of life.
Personally, I satisfy the flying bug with part-time flying jobs. I used to own a little airknocker as well, but the wife made me sell it because it wasn't getting used enough to justify the expenses. With an instructor rating you should have no problem getting part-time work. Heck, if your co-workers and associates make good money you may have a ready source of students. If you are willing to fly for free or peanuts, your local gliding club or jump zone can also keep you in an airplane.
It's currently a little tougher to get as much flying as I would like, but I'm still getting some. Some years I've been able to fly almost 200 hours, and in the worst only about 25. This year I should get only about 60 because I just turned down a month of full-time out of town work to spend it with my family. It's not a lot compared to a full-time pilot, but when you're only doing it on your days off and between other family committments it actually keeps you quite busy and not wishing for too much more. (hence, rarely flew my own airplane)
I have come to conclude that I really have the best of both worlds. I've got the stability and financial security of a regular job, and still get to make some money flying on the side. I'll also be retired with a full pension at age 52 and will then be returning to aviation full time for about 10 years. I'm hoping that when I do I'll be re-entering the industry in the middle ranks.
I have a couple friends who are a few years older than myself and followed exactly that career path. Started out in aviation, quit and went to different careers, continued flying privately and part-time, retired young and returned to aviation in their early fifties. Both re-entered the industry with about 3K hours and into jobs with reputable large city operators. One went straight into the left seat of a 414, the other spent some time in beavers before going onto a twin otter.
Look at all your options and take the one that best balances all of your needs and commitments in life.
I walked away from full time flying 23 years ago. I'm always wishing I could fly more than I do and sometimes have a bit of envy for those flying full time. But when I pragmatically look at my life vs most friends who stayed in aviation, the quality of life big picture makes my decision the hands down better choice for me. And almost all of them in aviation now wish they had followed me out the door. However, there are also a couple others who happened to conistantly be in the right places at the right times and made meteoric rises into the majors. They have me soundly beat in both pay and quality of life.
Personally, I satisfy the flying bug with part-time flying jobs. I used to own a little airknocker as well, but the wife made me sell it because it wasn't getting used enough to justify the expenses. With an instructor rating you should have no problem getting part-time work. Heck, if your co-workers and associates make good money you may have a ready source of students. If you are willing to fly for free or peanuts, your local gliding club or jump zone can also keep you in an airplane.
It's currently a little tougher to get as much flying as I would like, but I'm still getting some. Some years I've been able to fly almost 200 hours, and in the worst only about 25. This year I should get only about 60 because I just turned down a month of full-time out of town work to spend it with my family. It's not a lot compared to a full-time pilot, but when you're only doing it on your days off and between other family committments it actually keeps you quite busy and not wishing for too much more. (hence, rarely flew my own airplane)
I have come to conclude that I really have the best of both worlds. I've got the stability and financial security of a regular job, and still get to make some money flying on the side. I'll also be retired with a full pension at age 52 and will then be returning to aviation full time for about 10 years. I'm hoping that when I do I'll be re-entering the industry in the middle ranks.
I have a couple friends who are a few years older than myself and followed exactly that career path. Started out in aviation, quit and went to different careers, continued flying privately and part-time, retired young and returned to aviation in their early fifties. Both re-entered the industry with about 3K hours and into jobs with reputable large city operators. One went straight into the left seat of a 414, the other spent some time in beavers before going onto a twin otter.
Look at all your options and take the one that best balances all of your needs and commitments in life.
Vmax,
Don't be under the illusion that you can support a family as a flight instructor. Depending on where you instruct you may make as low as $8000 a year for a couple years. Sure that is the extreme but I worked with intructors that made something in that ballpark.
Second, do you have the flexibility to move? YZF, YFS, YTH, YRT, YXL or YPL are a long way from most places. There is a good chace you will spend the third to seventh year of your career in one of theses exotic locales once you realize that instructing was a great way to build time but that the job prospects are limited.
Third, flying planes is one of the most amazing thigs to do, but working as a pilot is different. I love flying but the lifestyle makes it very difficult to share my time with family. There are a lot of people who have given up good lives for the pursuit of a few extra hours, that first bit of multi pic, some turbine time. It never ends.
You are in a position that a lot of pilots would envy. Over the last year I have talked to so many pilots that would just walk away for a professional job that would give them time to spend with family and friends. Figure out what you love more - your wife and daughter or the dream of a flying career. The reality is that there are many times where you will be forced to choose.
I may sound bitter but I'm actually happy flying, that's just the reality of aviation today. Best of luck...
Don't be under the illusion that you can support a family as a flight instructor. Depending on where you instruct you may make as low as $8000 a year for a couple years. Sure that is the extreme but I worked with intructors that made something in that ballpark.
Second, do you have the flexibility to move? YZF, YFS, YTH, YRT, YXL or YPL are a long way from most places. There is a good chace you will spend the third to seventh year of your career in one of theses exotic locales once you realize that instructing was a great way to build time but that the job prospects are limited.
Third, flying planes is one of the most amazing thigs to do, but working as a pilot is different. I love flying but the lifestyle makes it very difficult to share my time with family. There are a lot of people who have given up good lives for the pursuit of a few extra hours, that first bit of multi pic, some turbine time. It never ends.
You are in a position that a lot of pilots would envy. Over the last year I have talked to so many pilots that would just walk away for a professional job that would give them time to spend with family and friends. Figure out what you love more - your wife and daughter or the dream of a flying career. The reality is that there are many times where you will be forced to choose.
I may sound bitter but I'm actually happy flying, that's just the reality of aviation today. Best of luck...
Vmax - 30 YEARS OLD IS NOT OLD. When I was 30 years old, my mother used to get up at 06:00 to let the dog out and me in. No, seriously, when I was 30, (35 actually, but whose counting) I was fed up with the bush and Northern Manitoba so I packed up my wife and 4 kids and "got outa Dodge!. Dumb move, but we survived. 30 is not old. I started what amounts to a new career when I moved from Calgary as a line pilot to Vancouver as a training guy. And that was at age 62. Now thats old. And my ever loving devoted and trusting wife followed along. But she is not old. She is only 57. That's still young.
The average pilot, despite the somewhat swaggering exterior, is very much capable of such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
These feelings just don't involve anyone else.
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Cat Driver
- Top Poster
- Posts: 18921
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2004 8:31 pm
Well I am still young and still flying, but think I may semi retire when I'm 70, in 17 months from now.
There was a time when only money mattered, now money is far down the list, seems no matter how much I charge customers just pay it, my last job was quoted at $ 625.00 per. day Canadian. ( 250 pounds sterling ) so money is not the pressing factor now. What matters now is cherry picking my jobs and having more time at home.
However in the final analysis all things considered I would do it all over again if I were to have a choice.
Cat
There was a time when only money mattered, now money is far down the list, seems no matter how much I charge customers just pay it, my last job was quoted at $ 625.00 per. day Canadian. ( 250 pounds sterling ) so money is not the pressing factor now. What matters now is cherry picking my jobs and having more time at home.
However in the final analysis all things considered I would do it all over again if I were to have a choice.
Cat
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
Hey Vmax: I have had friends that are in your boat and made it, but it is very tough and with much personal sacrifice. While I love my job, it's not always as fun as I thought it would be when I started flying. There is a big difference between flying when you want, where you want and being told where to fly at what hour in the day or night and having to deal with owners that are trying their best to keep their company afloat (I've seen two go under that I worked for). Anyways, I wish you best of luck.
Here is my saga,
Started training at 23. One wife - and a kid.
Completed Training with 2 kids a commercial and class 4 instructor
Moved to Winnipeg for the first instructing job. Completed multi ifr and a 3rd kid.
After 2 1/2 years instructing, I took a pay cut to f/o on a navajo at a good company in central Saskatchewan. Funny enough, I now see my wife and kids more in the past month and a bit at the new job than I ever did instructing. I now have a good opportunity to rise through the ranks and build time. Best part is, during the summer, Ill be busy flying with only a limited amount of time away from the family. If all goes well I could well spend a couple of years at my second aviation job and then move on to something different when I figure out exactly what I want to do. So supporting 4 dependents on a full time instructing wage, (which turned out to be mid thirties for me, kinda of out of the ordinary Ill admit) is doable. Now through some more creative budgeting the second job should do me well. You ask if the change is doable. It is. If you look hard, and make some very thoughtful choices. Dont pick a job because it involves an airplane in some way, shape, or form. Enjoy where you are at, during your career, because its the way to the top that is most exciting, once you are on top, all you can do is fall down.
Cheers
Apache
Started training at 23. One wife - and a kid.
Completed Training with 2 kids a commercial and class 4 instructor
Moved to Winnipeg for the first instructing job. Completed multi ifr and a 3rd kid.
After 2 1/2 years instructing, I took a pay cut to f/o on a navajo at a good company in central Saskatchewan. Funny enough, I now see my wife and kids more in the past month and a bit at the new job than I ever did instructing. I now have a good opportunity to rise through the ranks and build time. Best part is, during the summer, Ill be busy flying with only a limited amount of time away from the family. If all goes well I could well spend a couple of years at my second aviation job and then move on to something different when I figure out exactly what I want to do. So supporting 4 dependents on a full time instructing wage, (which turned out to be mid thirties for me, kinda of out of the ordinary Ill admit) is doable. Now through some more creative budgeting the second job should do me well. You ask if the change is doable. It is. If you look hard, and make some very thoughtful choices. Dont pick a job because it involves an airplane in some way, shape, or form. Enjoy where you are at, during your career, because its the way to the top that is most exciting, once you are on top, all you can do is fall down.
Cheers
Apache
Me
31 years old I have an awesome, awesome wife of 10 years, four awesome kids, Been in and out of aviation (jobs) for the last 6 years. Currently on my way back in. It can be done just don't sacrifice (the people) who will be around and loving you long after you have retired. Bottom line, in life relationships are all that relly matter in the long run.. Just my humble opinion
31 years old I have an awesome, awesome wife of 10 years, four awesome kids, Been in and out of aviation (jobs) for the last 6 years. Currently on my way back in. It can be done just don't sacrifice (the people) who will be around and loving you long after you have retired. Bottom line, in life relationships are all that relly matter in the long run.. Just my humble opinion
Not, to seem like a troll for today.. But..gelbisch wrote:just a thought: is it fair to instruct for fun on the side, and take that job away from some kid who wants to build hours to launch his career? i view that as similar to the retired a.c. guy who goes and finds a corporate job 'cause he can't give it up. easy for me to say, maybe, but still not fair.
"fair"
Wouldn't the student want the instructor who's best suited??? So the young rascal who's trying to build time might not be the best choice, the p/t person could be better??
No comment on the Retired corporate pilot, but in most cases he won't get on anyways.. Most of the time everyone wants the PPC/type rating, so the only advantage "pops" will have is money in the pocket..
Since we're talking about "fair," how is it fair that 20/20 folks get to fly in the army? =P
well of course the whole system is a little illogical... look at your average flight instructor; he's likely just learned to fly himself. of course the more experienced pilots ought to be the ones passing on their wisdom and years of experience, but that's not the way it works. and then you must consider that a lot of these guys probably haven't touched a small aircraft in years. what the heck is carb heat?
i'm only suggesting that in such a competitive and difficult industry, it doesn't seem right for a guy who's already had a crack at it to come back for seconds when some poor kid is struggling to get to his first 1000 hrs.
imho!
i'm only suggesting that in such a competitive and difficult industry, it doesn't seem right for a guy who's already had a crack at it to come back for seconds when some poor kid is struggling to get to his first 1000 hrs.
imho!
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slowstream
- Rank 7
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- Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 9:15 am
- Location: Canada
married with children
Hey VMAX,
There is an old saying, if you want it bad enough you'll find a way and it will happen.
I came back ino aviation at 36, an instructor (6 months), divorced and newly married with an one year old daughter and another on the way. To top it off my wife is unable to work and I did it.
I wish I could say that I did it all on my own but that would be ridiculous and completely false. Although we certainly had our rough spots and times when nither of us thought we'd make it through I had the support and understanding of my wife. I also develpoed good friendships in this industry that helped me especially when you get laided off three times in three years in order to get back to work.
Years later and I have had some really good jobs (some really shitty ones too) and some really lucky breaks. I've been in Jazz's pool for a little over three years with not much hope on the horizon; working towards W.J or Jetsgo this year but after this many years I've learned that one needs to be flexable and always, always and always have a backup plan! Wrote a book about this business in Canada to give back and help subsidize some income, although my income is slowly coming up it is still around 40K short of what I left in my last job in 96.
Good luck to you, If you want it bad enough you'll find a way.
P.S Remember that no matter how much a wife might say she understands and will support you in your career change they will have absolutly no idea of how much that will be tested!
There is an old saying, if you want it bad enough you'll find a way and it will happen.
I came back ino aviation at 36, an instructor (6 months), divorced and newly married with an one year old daughter and another on the way. To top it off my wife is unable to work and I did it.
I wish I could say that I did it all on my own but that would be ridiculous and completely false. Although we certainly had our rough spots and times when nither of us thought we'd make it through I had the support and understanding of my wife. I also develpoed good friendships in this industry that helped me especially when you get laided off three times in three years in order to get back to work.
Years later and I have had some really good jobs (some really shitty ones too) and some really lucky breaks. I've been in Jazz's pool for a little over three years with not much hope on the horizon; working towards W.J or Jetsgo this year
but after this many years I've learned that one needs to be flexable and always, always and always have a backup plan! Wrote a book about this business in Canada to give back and help subsidize some income, although my income is slowly coming up it is still around 40K short of what I left in my last job in 96.Good luck to you, If you want it bad enough you'll find a way.
P.S Remember that no matter how much a wife might say she understands and will support you in your career change they will have absolutly no idea of how much that will be tested!
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Captain Morgan
- Rank 0
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 9:00 pm
