rickair7777

Assuming you have a degree, you are in a lot better position than the original poster (younger too). Early thirties is about where I would draw the line...after that you really have struggle to justify the dues paying vs. the payoff. All you have to do is spend a few weeks to earn a instructor rating or two and you can start building time...even keep your day job while you do it.

But at your age make up your mind quickly.

Flyhayes

We are to much in debt to stop!
In all seriousness many of us got into it as young 20 somethings that didn't know any better. It seemed like a good career with decent money (that's what the admissions reps were telling us anyways, they also told us we could have our PPLs in just 35 hours) We signed on the dotted line, and now owe our souls to the aviation dragon. I for one love what I do for a living. I got in to aviation to be an airline pilot, but stopped short when I realized my passion was to instruct. Given the aviation job market place, it could take you much more than you think to land that King Air job. Seriously entertain the idea of becoming a part time Flight Instructor on the side of your day job. Of course what you aim for is possible... but don't be surprised if it doesn't pan out the way you hope either.
Just my two tarnished pennies.

Dpilot

I disagree with this also. However, it depends on the person. Some will see it this way as why even bother with this career, but others including myself love it so and make a career out of it. The difference for me is that I enjoy aviation outside of work too. I fly when I can afford to rent a Cessna or Piper from my local flying club. When the AOPA convention is around, I'll make the effort to go. So I pretty much live and breathe aviation, outside of being an airport bum.

I too was a career changer, but was early enough to make the change (late 20s). To this date I've been a pilot for 15 years now and love it even more than when I first started. And this perspective holds although I'm currently furloughed, but with a class date in January for a new employer. I've been through 2 layoffs in the last 2 years, so you would think I would bolt out of this career, but no, I'm staying put!

I'm good at it and love it, so it's my career with all the ups and the downs. And I've worked both at the airlines and corporate. Corporate might be the thing for you, as opportunities can come with less than the usual amount of hours that would be required of airlines. It's all about networking for those jobs. Good luck whatever you do!

wrxpilot

You sure write "We" a lot in your post, when it sounds like a lot of your problems are directly related to your poor decision making.

I got into aviation when I was in my mid-20s, and I researched the heck out of it. I quickly discovered that there are quick but extremely expensive ways to become a pilot, and slower but much more affordable ways to do it. Having a basic understanding of debt and potential difficulties paying off debt as an entry level commercial pilot, I took my time and paid cash for all of my ratings.

How many times have "we" (as readers of aviation internet forums) seen newbies ask about expensive flight training options, only to have them argue with us when we try to explain how miserable their life will be with all of that debt? Yet common sense goes right out the window, and instant gratification gets them into a terrible situation. Inevitably these same people come back years later, saddled with crippling debt and a bad attitude, complaining how they've been eating ramen noodles for years while living in some dumpy crashpad in Newark (or some other crappy city). It really is annoying, particularly since the most basic of financial planning skills would have meant a much, much better life for these folks.

There's absolutely no excuse for people that put themselves into these bad situations anymore... There is SO much data out there on how poorly pilots are typically paid the first few years, and how wide ranging flight training costs can be depending on how you approach it. This info has been readily available for at LEAST 10 years or more, so I really don't think there's any excuse for ignorance these days.

Scottman

thank you for the advice rickair. I've managed to keep my head above water through all the training so far. I do have a two year degree and am planning on continuing. I am ready to apply as soon as I can build some more time. And for those who seem to despise going to work everyday, make a choice. "if not now, then when?" I have been working now for 17 years and have never had trouble finding a job. I understand the regional airline life is tough, but so am I. I've endured years of backbreaking work and I still have my health. I have also worked in customer service jobs and learned to put customers needs before my own. I did it all willingly and anytime I felt like the situation was not in my best interest, I moved on. No shame in that, you have to do what you think is right. Happiness is key. For me, the hardest part has been the training, the sacrifice of time and money to earn the ratings and not go into debt. My goal is the achievement; Landing the job. If I don't like the life, I'll move on.

Flyhayes

I take full responsibility for the poor decision making of my immature 20 year old self. Then again, when I got into aviation I did so under a different set of personal circumstances, from where I am now. I'm still very happy with the mistakes I made as they landed me where I am now . "We" is just a generalization of all those who made the same mistakes as I did, (there are plenty of us) and I certainly don't agree that all the onus is on the pilot. Having worked at some larger pilot factories, I was put off by what the potential students were told by the admissions reps. But that is going off topic, so I'll end it there.

wrxpilot

I do understand what you're saying, and dealing with decisions we made when younger is difficult sometimes. When I graduated college, I thought I had it made since I had an engineering degree. I bought a new motorcycle and a new car, and also ran up some credit cards. It was a hard lesson in financial responsibility, but eventually I did pay that stuff off. It was a good lesson, and as a result I'm very conservative with my spending now.