Career Change at 29
03-22-2016, 06:14 PM
#41
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 26
A few cents here. I am a prior 121 pilot - 2 years at a regional, 2 years at a 121 international charter airline. I left, went to law school, became an attorney, and now going back to 121 in hopefully a month. There are many unhappy pilots on here because they don't know what real work is. Leave flying and go sit an in office 10 hours a day getting it from all ends and a few legs a day mashing buttons 3-4 days a week ain't bad even if you don't like flying.
I miss flying and in comparison to my current job, I didn't work a day of my 4 years as an airline pilot.
I miss flying and in comparison to my current job, I didn't work a day of my 4 years as an airline pilot.
Old dude...out.
03-23-2016, 07:25 AM
#42
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 233
If I pay to go to medical school, I am guarunteed that I will make an above average living working as a doctor. Therefore it would make sense for me to invest years of my time in school and thousands of dollars to become a doctor. If I pay to go to the law school, as you did, the same is true.
However, I invested years of my time and thousands of dollars learning how to fly and am guarunteed nothing. Maybe I'll get rich, maybe I'll make 65,000 dollars per year the rest of my life. Who knows? And, even if I were to one day hit the jackpot and end up at a legacy, what price do you put on the years of my life I spent with no quality of life? Is it really worth it to waste half of you life being paid as much as people with no skills and education, sleeping in hotel rooms 15-16 nights per month, worrying about base closures, downsizing, furloughs, displacements, and everything else in the regional industry just so that I can make an above average living for the final 10-15 years of my professional life? For me that answer is no.
03-23-2016, 07:59 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,901
This is the problem. There is potential, but no guarantee, that you will make an above average living working as an airline pilot.
If I pay to go to medical school, I am guarunteed that I will make an above average living working as a doctor. Therefore it would make sense for me to invest years of my time in school and thousands of dollars to become a doctor. If I pay to go to the law school, as you did, the same is true.
Without a doubt, the most miserable pilots I've ever met had one thing in common - they never had a real job/career outside flying. Straight from aviation college to professional flying, and completely clueless about the real world.
However, I invested years of my time and thousands of dollars learning how to fly and am guarunteed nothing. Maybe I'll get rich, maybe I'll make 65,000 dollars per year the rest of my life. Who knows? And, even if I were to one day hit the jackpot and end up at a legacy, what price do you put on the years of my life I spent with no quality of life? Is it really worth it to waste half of you life being paid as much as people with no skills and education, sleeping in hotel rooms 15-16 nights per month, worrying about base closures, downsizing, furloughs, displacements, and everything else in the regional industry just so that I can make an above average living for the final 10-15 years of my professional life? For me that answer is no.
If I pay to go to medical school, I am guarunteed that I will make an above average living working as a doctor. Therefore it would make sense for me to invest years of my time in school and thousands of dollars to become a doctor. If I pay to go to the law school, as you did, the same is true.
Without a doubt, the most miserable pilots I've ever met had one thing in common - they never had a real job/career outside flying. Straight from aviation college to professional flying, and completely clueless about the real world.
However, I invested years of my time and thousands of dollars learning how to fly and am guarunteed nothing. Maybe I'll get rich, maybe I'll make 65,000 dollars per year the rest of my life. Who knows? And, even if I were to one day hit the jackpot and end up at a legacy, what price do you put on the years of my life I spent with no quality of life? Is it really worth it to waste half of you life being paid as much as people with no skills and education, sleeping in hotel rooms 15-16 nights per month, worrying about base closures, downsizing, furloughs, displacements, and everything else in the regional industry just so that I can make an above average living for the final 10-15 years of my professional life? For me that answer is no.
Big Debt Without An Income ? A Med School Disaster | The White Coat Investor - Investing And Personal Finance Information For Physicians, Dentists, Residents, Students, And Other Highly-Educated Busy Professionals
Know any new lawyers? I have - they work their ASSES off for years, with no guarantee of the life you see on TV.
Know any engineers? I do... Me. I did it for five years, and it sucked. I'm WAY happier as an airline pilot. Without a doubt, this is the best job I've ever had, and I have more days off than any of my friends/family.
03-23-2016, 08:27 AM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2014
Posts: 233
Actually, that's not true at all about med school:
Big Debt Without An Income ? A Med School Disaster | The White Coat Investor - Investing And Personal Finance Information For Physicians, Dentists, Residents, Students, And Other Highly-Educated Busy Professionals
Know any new lawyers? I have - they work their ASSES off for years, with no guarantee of the life you see on TV.
Know any engineers? I do... Me. I did it for five years, and it sucked. I'm WAY happier as an airline pilot. Without a doubt, this is the best job I've ever had, and I have more days off than any of my friends/family.
Big Debt Without An Income ? A Med School Disaster | The White Coat Investor - Investing And Personal Finance Information For Physicians, Dentists, Residents, Students, And Other Highly-Educated Busy Professionals
Know any new lawyers? I have - they work their ASSES off for years, with no guarantee of the life you see on TV.
Know any engineers? I do... Me. I did it for five years, and it sucked. I'm WAY happier as an airline pilot. Without a doubt, this is the best job I've ever had, and I have more days off than any of my friends/family.
These people are the only things that I have to compare a pilots job to that of a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, so that's where I drew my conclusion from. Like I said, I guess it just comes down to preference. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not cut out for the 121 lifestyle. That said, I'm not going to stay and be miserable, I've moving on to work (still flying) in the field that I initially wanted to work in all along, so it's all good.
03-23-2016, 08:47 AM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,901
That's an interesting perspective and you make a good argument. At the end of the day it all comes down to personal preference and what you're willing to do/interested in doing. I come from a family of doctors and lawyers and have close friends (college roommates) that are engineers. My friends both made six figures immediately after graduating and seem to be pretty happy. My family members practicing medicine and law are also doing well for themselves and are quite happy.
These people are the only things that I have to compare a pilots job to that of a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, so that's where I drew my conclusion from. Like I said, I guess it just comes down to preference. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not cut out for the 121 lifestyle. That said, I'm not going to stay and be miserable, I've moving on to work (still flying) in the field that I initially wanted to work in all along, so it's all good.
These people are the only things that I have to compare a pilots job to that of a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, so that's where I drew my conclusion from. Like I said, I guess it just comes down to preference. I'm not afraid to admit that I'm not cut out for the 121 lifestyle. That said, I'm not going to stay and be miserable, I've moving on to work (still flying) in the field that I initially wanted to work in all along, so it's all good.
Another exception are some engineers hired in Silicon Valley, but making six figs doesn't really matter when your cost of living is through the roof.
It did take awhile, but I have finally surpassed what I made as an engineer now that I'm a regional CA. If I ever get on at a legacy, I will far surpass what I ever would have made, even considering the paycut I took for a few years as I switched careers.
Anyway, the point is that the grass is not always greener. It's also important to pursue what makes you happy (within reason), and I'm glad to hear you are doing that! Best of luck!
03-23-2016, 10:18 AM
#46
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 11
03-23-2016, 10:20 AM
#47
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 11
When it comes to traditional engineering fields (electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical) it is extremely unusual to get a job paying six figures right out of school. There were some exceptions with Petro engineers for awhile, but that has since crashed as it always does. Eventually you can make six figures as an engineer, but it typically requires getting into management (and working considerably more than 40/wk).
Another exception are some engineers hired in Silicon Valley, but making six figs doesn't really matter when your cost of living is through the roof.
It did take awhile, but I have finally surpassed what I made as an engineer now that I'm a regional CA. If I ever get on at a legacy, I will far surpass what I ever would have made, even considering the paycut I took for a few years as I switched careers.
Anyway, the point is that the grass is not always greener. It's also important to pursue what makes you happy (within reason), and I'm glad to hear you are doing that! Best of luck!
Another exception are some engineers hired in Silicon Valley, but making six figs doesn't really matter when your cost of living is through the roof.
It did take awhile, but I have finally surpassed what I made as an engineer now that I'm a regional CA. If I ever get on at a legacy, I will far surpass what I ever would have made, even considering the paycut I took for a few years as I switched careers.
Anyway, the point is that the grass is not always greener. It's also important to pursue what makes you happy (within reason), and I'm glad to hear you are doing that! Best of luck!
03-23-2016, 11:19 AM
#48
MK Ultra Candidate
Joined APC: Feb 2013
Position: Prime Leader of Boko Harumph
Posts: 1,167
Don't forget the toll on the family. If you have a wife or girlfriend, prepare for the possibility that this will stress the relationship to the limits. If you get hired at a major(even) and you sig other has a good job career you will be on the potential transcon commute train. When they signed on with you, that was that, this gig is so different that there is no real way to prepare them for the reality. BDays, holidays, and family events will be missed, and if you have kids you will miss plenty of their lives.
I met my wife while I was already in the business, and it stretches the relationship, and that's without kids. I cannot count how many F/Os that are already on their first or second divorce with kids with different baby mamas.
For every guy who makes it work there are several for whom it doesn't.
Make your own decision, but in the end, you are no different than anyone else.
I met my wife while I was already in the business, and it stretches the relationship, and that's without kids. I cannot count how many F/Os that are already on their first or second divorce with kids with different baby mamas.
For every guy who makes it work there are several for whom it doesn't.
Make your own decision, but in the end, you are no different than anyone else.
03-23-2016, 01:49 PM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Position: Downward-Facing Dog Pose
Posts: 1,537
You know what?
You're not here for realistic info. Know why? Because when someone takes the time to give it to you, you laugh and tell them they're wrong...never having walked a mile in their shoes in spite of asking them what it's like.
03-23-2016, 03:56 PM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
This is the problem. There is potential, but no guarantee, that you will make an above average living working as an airline pilot.
If I pay to go to medical school, I am guarunteed that I will make an above average living working as a doctor. Therefore it would make sense for me to invest years of my time in school and thousands of dollars to become a doctor. If I pay to go to the law school, as you did, the same is true.
However, I invested years of my time and thousands of dollars learning how to fly and am guarunteed nothing. Maybe I'll get rich, maybe I'll make 65,000 dollars per year the rest of my life. Who knows? And, even if I were to one day hit the jackpot and end up at a legacy, what price do you put on the years of my life I spent with no quality of life? Is it really worth it to waste half of you life being paid as much as people with no skills and education, sleeping in hotel rooms 15-16 nights per month, worrying about base closures, downsizing, furloughs, displacements, and everything else in the regional industry just so that I can make an above average living for the final 10-15 years of my professional life? For me that answer is no.
If I pay to go to medical school, I am guarunteed that I will make an above average living working as a doctor. Therefore it would make sense for me to invest years of my time in school and thousands of dollars to become a doctor. If I pay to go to the law school, as you did, the same is true.
However, I invested years of my time and thousands of dollars learning how to fly and am guarunteed nothing. Maybe I'll get rich, maybe I'll make 65,000 dollars per year the rest of my life. Who knows? And, even if I were to one day hit the jackpot and end up at a legacy, what price do you put on the years of my life I spent with no quality of life? Is it really worth it to waste half of you life being paid as much as people with no skills and education, sleeping in hotel rooms 15-16 nights per month, worrying about base closures, downsizing, furloughs, displacements, and everything else in the regional industry just so that I can make an above average living for the final 10-15 years of my professional life? For me that answer is no.
Not all lawyers, and not even all doctors, are raking in the cash.
There are no guarantees. Life just doesn't work like that.
Life, jobs, fun and even LOVE - all have a risk-vs-gains equation.
Edit: Sorry - wrxpilot had already dispelled that myth.
FFr3 - what kind of flying are you getting into that you initially had hoped for at the beginning of your career? It is no shame that you don't want to be an airline pilot. There is no brass ring job that fits all in this industry. If you want to be an airline pilot then you can shoot for the highest paid airline pilot job and consider it the top of the heap. But if you have decided, or always knew, that you don't have an interest in that type of flying then it is certainly not the pinnacle of the aviation industry.
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