Life just threw me a curveball, need quick advice
08-09-2007, 03:23 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Go see the nearest ROTC unit. If you get selected you can put flying on hold while you finish college, knowing that when you graduate you'll go straight to the best training program available.
I had two kids by the time I finished college and a third in UPT. 20 great years in the USAF. I could have gotten out a couple of different times and didn't, and each time it turned out to be a brilliant (maybe a little luck was involved) decision.
You'll get to defer any student loans you already have once you go on Active Duty. You'll get more money and better benefits up front than you'd ever get from a regional. You'll be more competitive in 10 years for a job with the majors than most of your contemporaries.
You may end up loving the military and staying in for 20+.
If I was in your position I wouldn't think twice...go to the nearest ROTC unit.
I had two kids by the time I finished college and a third in UPT. 20 great years in the USAF. I could have gotten out a couple of different times and didn't, and each time it turned out to be a brilliant (maybe a little luck was involved) decision.
You'll get to defer any student loans you already have once you go on Active Duty. You'll get more money and better benefits up front than you'd ever get from a regional. You'll be more competitive in 10 years for a job with the majors than most of your contemporaries.
You may end up loving the military and staying in for 20+.
If I was in your position I wouldn't think twice...go to the nearest ROTC unit.
08-09-2007, 05:08 PM
#22
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,391
Go see the nearest ROTC unit. If you get selected you can put flying on hold while you finish college, knowing that when you graduate you'll go straight to the best training program available.
I had two kids by the time I finished college and a third in UPT. 20 great years in the USAF. I could have gotten out a couple of different times and didn't, and each time it turned out to be a brilliant (maybe a little luck was involved) decision.
You'll get to defer any student loans you already have once you go on Active Duty. You'll get more money and better benefits up front than you'd ever get from a regional. You'll be more competitive in 10 years for a job with the majors than most of your contemporaries.
You may end up loving the military and staying in for 20+.
If I was in your position I wouldn't think twice...go to the nearest ROTC unit.
I had two kids by the time I finished college and a third in UPT. 20 great years in the USAF. I could have gotten out a couple of different times and didn't, and each time it turned out to be a brilliant (maybe a little luck was involved) decision.
You'll get to defer any student loans you already have once you go on Active Duty. You'll get more money and better benefits up front than you'd ever get from a regional. You'll be more competitive in 10 years for a job with the majors than most of your contemporaries.
You may end up loving the military and staying in for 20+.
If I was in your position I wouldn't think twice...go to the nearest ROTC unit.
I think he's too old, unless he wants to be a grunt.
08-09-2007, 05:16 PM
#23
Big Poppa
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Posts: 613
yeah, I'm 30 years old and pretty established where I live now. I know there is always a risk of getting moved around the country in the USAF. I have actually kicked myself many times for not joining the service when I was younger. That is one of my biggest regrets, not serving my country in anyway other than paying taxes. Thanks for the advice though.
08-10-2007, 09:54 AM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: A Big One
Posts: 283
What did John Lennon say..."Life is what happens when you're making plans."
First off - CONGRATS!!!
Secondly - Bail if you can. Three kids? There are very few regionals that have good schedules and I assume you're going to want to see these kids grow, right? On a regional pilot's payscale, you'll have to have a five year buffer or so before you start making "big bucks" on a regional scale.
If you have a way to make a living in a different career field...one that will allow you to be around "home" more often...chances are better that you won't be one of those divorced airline pilots.
Don't bail on a degree...still work towards a degree in something that is useful. Many schools have on-line courses and you can massage that to work with your schedule.
Get your CFI and play a few times per week with a student. This will keep your hands in it. Let the munchkins get a little bit older while you're thickening your logbook and who knows what could happen? You might just instruct one or two days per week. It's fun and you'll enjoy it. You might also end up in an airline's training department. You never know...
Keep your head up and look at your options. Bail on the career right now and focus on your family. They need you more than you need to fly. Keep flying on the side and you'll be ready to move when opportunity knocks. Who knows, you might actually land a good corporate job or something. You might actually be home more with that job anyway.
All my best to Mom, tykes and to you. Good on ya for putting a thread out for this topic.
Keep up the good fight and have fun doing it...whatever road you choose.
First off - CONGRATS!!!
Secondly - Bail if you can. Three kids? There are very few regionals that have good schedules and I assume you're going to want to see these kids grow, right? On a regional pilot's payscale, you'll have to have a five year buffer or so before you start making "big bucks" on a regional scale.
If you have a way to make a living in a different career field...one that will allow you to be around "home" more often...chances are better that you won't be one of those divorced airline pilots.
Don't bail on a degree...still work towards a degree in something that is useful. Many schools have on-line courses and you can massage that to work with your schedule.
Get your CFI and play a few times per week with a student. This will keep your hands in it. Let the munchkins get a little bit older while you're thickening your logbook and who knows what could happen? You might just instruct one or two days per week. It's fun and you'll enjoy it. You might also end up in an airline's training department. You never know...
Keep your head up and look at your options. Bail on the career right now and focus on your family. They need you more than you need to fly. Keep flying on the side and you'll be ready to move when opportunity knocks. Who knows, you might actually land a good corporate job or something. You might actually be home more with that job anyway.
All my best to Mom, tykes and to you. Good on ya for putting a thread out for this topic.
Keep up the good fight and have fun doing it...whatever road you choose.
08-10-2007, 10:06 AM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: A Big One
Posts: 283
I forgot about one option...ROTC or AOCS. "The military option" listed above might be the best way to do both.....but then your wife has to be game to be a military wife.
If she's game and you don't mind being deployed - congrats - you've just found a way to do it and you don't have to bag the career afterall.
If she's game and you don't mind being deployed - congrats - you've just found a way to do it and you don't have to bag the career afterall.
08-10-2007, 12:05 PM
#27
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 64
You have got some great advice here. The most important factor is to understand that regardless of which direction you take, it will involve a great sacrifice. Once you have all the facts and understand the risks involved - and if you still want to pursue a pilot career - this is what you should do: First, accelerate your flying as much as possible; your objective is to build time quickly. Also, stop attending the UoP campus ( I know, this one is controversial -more on that later). Second, get your CFI’s including multi-instructor and start building multi-time. Last, as soon as feasible, get on with a regional, upgrade as soon as possible, and hope for the best.
Now, back to the degree. I do agree with the other posters comments regarding the necessity of having a 4-year degree. However, your situation requires a rearrangement of priorities. In your case time is of the essence; therefore, for now, flight time is more important than the degree.
Once you get the ball going with the flying, enroll in an online degree program and finish college while building up your flight time and experience. By the time you finish the degree, you’ll have the required flight time to move on to greener pastures.
As an aside, there are many accredited online schools that offer a variety of programs. UoP, in my opinion, is not the best choice because of its tuition cost. Here are some links you may find useful:
http://www.csc.edu/distancelearning/
http://www.peru.edu/offuttafb/degreeprograms/onlinelearning.htm
http://www.elearners.com/online-degrees/index.asp
The reason I suggest the aforementioned steps is because I had to make a similar decision years ago. Everybody in my family and friendship circles thought that I was crazy for quitting school and devoting all my energy to flying. Today, however, I’m a captain at a legacy and have [not only] a bachelor degree, but also am working on an MBA . . . online of course.
Please know that there is no magic recipe that works for everyone, but if you understand the risks and the sacrifices that face you, you’ll enjoy the rewards.
P
Now, back to the degree. I do agree with the other posters comments regarding the necessity of having a 4-year degree. However, your situation requires a rearrangement of priorities. In your case time is of the essence; therefore, for now, flight time is more important than the degree.
Once you get the ball going with the flying, enroll in an online degree program and finish college while building up your flight time and experience. By the time you finish the degree, you’ll have the required flight time to move on to greener pastures.
As an aside, there are many accredited online schools that offer a variety of programs. UoP, in my opinion, is not the best choice because of its tuition cost. Here are some links you may find useful:
http://www.csc.edu/distancelearning/
http://www.peru.edu/offuttafb/degreeprograms/onlinelearning.htm
http://www.elearners.com/online-degrees/index.asp
The reason I suggest the aforementioned steps is because I had to make a similar decision years ago. Everybody in my family and friendship circles thought that I was crazy for quitting school and devoting all my energy to flying. Today, however, I’m a captain at a legacy and have [not only] a bachelor degree, but also am working on an MBA . . . online of course.
Please know that there is no magic recipe that works for everyone, but if you understand the risks and the sacrifices that face you, you’ll enjoy the rewards.
P
Last edited by mundo1; 08-10-2007 at 07:11 PM.
08-10-2007, 04:58 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: Radio Flyer (The lil red wagon)
Posts: 317
you might not be too old for army chopper training as a warrant officer. You're not required to have a 4yr degree to do that. That would kill two birds with one stone. They would pay for flight training and maybe even some student loans.
even if you wanted to commission USAF you'd still have to have a degree in hand before you could even apply, yea ROTC is an option but it isn't the quick fix that i think you're looking for. Might try an air guard unit and get the GI bill to pay for flight training and some states even pay 100% tuition for undergrad study at in state universities.
But yea congrats on the twins, that's really cool. Many people want them but few get 'em. Keep on truckin !!!
And remember, it is always better to have a curveball than get beaned by a fastball.
even if you wanted to commission USAF you'd still have to have a degree in hand before you could even apply, yea ROTC is an option but it isn't the quick fix that i think you're looking for. Might try an air guard unit and get the GI bill to pay for flight training and some states even pay 100% tuition for undergrad study at in state universities.
But yea congrats on the twins, that's really cool. Many people want them but few get 'em. Keep on truckin !!!
And remember, it is always better to have a curveball than get beaned by a fastball.
08-11-2007, 07:00 AM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: ASA FO
Posts: 139
I have 7 mo. old twins.
I'm working as a CFI, looking forward to my first airline/jet job.
I'm mid 30's
I didn't finish my degree when I could have and am working on it now.
We have a lot in common.
I'm in the ATL area, PM me if you want to talk about any of it.
I'm working as a CFI, looking forward to my first airline/jet job.
I'm mid 30's
I didn't finish my degree when I could have and am working on it now.
We have a lot in common.
I'm in the ATL area, PM me if you want to talk about any of it.
08-11-2007, 07:25 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Consider the army helo program. Check on the age limits. If you have time get your degree and then go as a commissioned officer. Better pay and if you like it the career earnings will outpace the WO side.
Don't rule out the militray , even for a 4 year hitch you can get your degree done and be able to move on. What you don't use of the GI Bill can be used by your spouse. I think thats still the case....
-LAFF
Don't rule out the militray , even for a 4 year hitch you can get your degree done and be able to move on. What you don't use of the GI Bill can be used by your spouse. I think thats still the case....
-LAFF
