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Old 11-01-2009, 06:12 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by EMC2
It is absolutely possible for me to be a consultant for a defense contractor. Not my cup of tea but I hadn't even thought of that! So that is certainly viable. Actually contractors get paid much better than us Feds anyhow. That being said with the current administration I'm not sure where defense spending is going to go. I have enough clearances to make me quite valuable inside of or outside of the government. They are not always easy to come by so they are a great asset to have.

Thanks for that thought! And yes regret is really what I am dealing with. I started down this path once before and I feel like I am missing out. So I'd like to get back to it. Somehow.
I figured as much. The consultant route is viable though a bit of a pain. However, like Son of Chuck, he lives happy because we all know the pain of regret is far worse than the pain of trying and determining it isn't what we expected etc. Many will be reasonable and well intentioned and attempt to deter you. However, I offer this antidote <g>

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
Calvin Coolidge quotes (American 30th President of the United States, 1872-1933)

Good luck, see ya in the skies.
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Old 11-01-2009, 06:32 PM
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Originally Posted by SaltyDog
I figured as much. The consultant route is viable though a bit of a pain. However, like Son of Chuck, he lives happy because we all know the pain of regret is far worse than the pain of trying and determining it isn't what we expected etc. Many will be reasonable and well intentioned and attempt to deter you. However, I offer this antidote <g>

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
Calvin Coolidge quotes (American 30th President of the United States, 1872-1933)

Good luck, see ya in the skies.
That was remarkable. Thanks for the quote! And I will fly again, one way or another!
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Old 11-02-2009, 05:26 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by SaltyDog
I figured as much. The consultant route is viable though a bit of a pain. However, like Son of Chuck, he lives happy because we all know the pain of regret is far worse than the pain of trying and determining it isn't what we expected etc. Many will be reasonable and well intentioned and attempt to deter you. However, I offer this antidote <g>

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
Calvin Coolidge quotes (American 30th President of the United States, 1872-1933)

Good luck, see ya in the skies.
Nice poetic waxing. I agree with premise, it has worked for me a time or two.
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Old 11-02-2009, 06:14 AM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by SaltyDog
However, like Son of Chuck, he lives happy because we all know the pain of regret is far worse than the pain of trying and determining it isn't what we expected etc. Many will be reasonable and well intentioned and attempt to deter you. However, I offer this antidote <g>

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race”
Calvin Coolidge quotes (American 30th President of the United States, 1872-1933)

Good luck, see ya in the skies.

If truer words were never spoken......!


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Old 11-10-2009, 09:45 AM
  #35  
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Originally Posted by EMC2
How old is too old to be considering a career as a professional pilot?
When you are old enought to realize that it is financial suicide and a stupid dream. I paid close to 100k to be a glorified busdriver (for less pay). That
makes me a professional moron. Don't buy the "I do it for the love of flying" BS. It is a job.
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Old 11-10-2009, 10:05 AM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Joachim
When you are old enought to realize that it is financial suicide and a stupid dream. I paid close to 100k to be a glorified busdriver (for less pay). That
makes me a professional moron. Don't buy the "I do it for the love of flying" BS. It is a job.
Do you enjoy your job? Ever?
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Old 11-10-2009, 10:45 AM
  #37  
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Originally Posted by Joachim
When you are old enought to realize that it is financial suicide and a stupid dream. I paid close to 100k to be a glorified busdriver (for less pay). That
makes me a professional moron. Don't buy the "I do it for the love of flying" BS. It is a job.
This scenario is a very real possibility, even likely, for an entry level pilot today if you expect to live an upper-middle class lifestyle within 10 years of starting.

The job can certainly be fun for those who have a true passion for aviation (about 40% of the regional crowd) but it may not be enough to make up for living an outside life that is sub-standard by comparison to your buddies who graduated with a business major and a 2.6 GPA.

If you think you are going to be the sole breadwinner for a family, while paying off flight training loans, expect to live in near-poverty.
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Old 11-10-2009, 11:21 AM
  #38  
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Originally Posted by EMC2
Do you enjoy your job? Ever?
There are certain moments such as t/o and approach. They constitute about 5%. These joys are superficial and materialistic. Is a sunrise or 747 pretty? Yes, but they pale compared to my baby daughters smile.

Work to live.
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Old 11-10-2009, 11:56 AM
  #39  
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I don't think you're too old. I was 30 before I ever even sat in an airplane. So I was younger than you, but I also didn't work very hard to get through it quickly, so I think our situations are probably pretty close.

I'm also not an airline pilot, but I do have a pretty good job as a professional pilot, which is what you asked. Good luck with what you decide!
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Old 11-10-2009, 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by ppilot
I don't think you're too old. I was 30 before I ever even sat in an airplane. So I was younger than you, but I also didn't work very hard to get through it quickly, so I think our situations are probably pretty close.

I'm also not an airline pilot, but I do have a pretty good job as a professional pilot, which is what you asked. Good luck with what you decide!
Thanks for that!
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