View Poll Results: What is the best option for an almost 26yrold
Attempt Career as a Pilot (Already a VFR Private Pilot)
2
10.53%
Stick to the 172 when I fall into extra cash, and have extra time to kill
12
63.16%
The best Camaro yet...
5
26.32%
Voters: 19. You may not vote on this poll
Flt School vs Recreational Flying vs Camaro
06-11-2010, 06:30 AM
#11
Rubber dogsh#t out of HKG
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Senior Seat Cushion Tester Extraordinaire
Posts: 625
Think of this way. Is it smart to pay interest on a known depreciating asset?
Yes.
Yes.
06-11-2010, 06:43 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: 747 FO
Posts: 937
I didn't vote in your poll because I would say either the first or the second choice as those are investments in yourself.
While I'm sure this Camaro is a fun car to drive, you should only buy cars like that if you consider yourself to have enough "stupid money" to spend (not calling you stupid). Ultimately, a car like this is a toy and nothing more. It doesn't make you a better person or contributes to developing you as a human. However, the first two choices have the potential to contribute to your growth.
Besides, you're more likely to get a speeding ticket in that thing.
While I'm sure this Camaro is a fun car to drive, you should only buy cars like that if you consider yourself to have enough "stupid money" to spend (not calling you stupid). Ultimately, a car like this is a toy and nothing more. It doesn't make you a better person or contributes to developing you as a human. However, the first two choices have the potential to contribute to your growth.
Besides, you're more likely to get a speeding ticket in that thing.
06-11-2010, 07:11 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Position: USAF
Posts: 1,398
This can be viewed from a money perspective first...
Flight school as a career change (Leave behind my 31-32k net per yr job w/ benefits in IT)-- 35 - 50 grand said and done, then 1 to 2 years as an instructor making next to nothing now with more debt. If lucky, land a job as a regional FO, and maybe by then they will start people at 25 grand a year. About 30 yrs old by the time I make it to a 1st year regional FO.
Recreational Flying -- 110 dollars a week to stay somewhat current and safe... 220 per week to be safer and proficient as a Private Pilot... This gets you about 3 or 4 hours of enjoyment per week... (1 - 2 is actual flying, the other 2 is the fun of planning places to go, checking weather, flight plan, etc.)
2011 Camaro SS -- 426 Horsepower, 6 Speed Manual, Rear Wheel Drive with 4 wheel independent suspension - and a sunroof. 24 mpg highway. About 33 - 35 grand total, low interest loan... 3 yr loan can be like 590 a month about - only have to finance about 20K - my current car is worth about 18g private party and it's almost paid off... No limit to the amount of time I can enjoy it per week - (well 1 week minus 55 hours per week of work / commute) I take the train, so I'm not forced to drive the car daily. Downside is I'd be stuck in my boring and unfulfilling job for at least those next few years. Kinda am anyway with rent and college loan. But raises are in the near future, especially if i change jobs... I could possibly see 15 or even 20 grand a year higher (gross) over those next 3 yrs...
I hope ppl can see the humor in this - but what's your take? Sky?
Flight school as a career change (Leave behind my 31-32k net per yr job w/ benefits in IT)-- 35 - 50 grand said and done, then 1 to 2 years as an instructor making next to nothing now with more debt. If lucky, land a job as a regional FO, and maybe by then they will start people at 25 grand a year. About 30 yrs old by the time I make it to a 1st year regional FO.
Recreational Flying -- 110 dollars a week to stay somewhat current and safe... 220 per week to be safer and proficient as a Private Pilot... This gets you about 3 or 4 hours of enjoyment per week... (1 - 2 is actual flying, the other 2 is the fun of planning places to go, checking weather, flight plan, etc.)
2011 Camaro SS -- 426 Horsepower, 6 Speed Manual, Rear Wheel Drive with 4 wheel independent suspension - and a sunroof. 24 mpg highway. About 33 - 35 grand total, low interest loan... 3 yr loan can be like 590 a month about - only have to finance about 20K - my current car is worth about 18g private party and it's almost paid off... No limit to the amount of time I can enjoy it per week - (well 1 week minus 55 hours per week of work / commute) I take the train, so I'm not forced to drive the car daily. Downside is I'd be stuck in my boring and unfulfilling job for at least those next few years. Kinda am anyway with rent and college loan. But raises are in the near future, especially if i change jobs... I could possibly see 15 or even 20 grand a year higher (gross) over those next 3 yrs...
I hope ppl can see the humor in this - but what's your take? Sky?
Do what you want to do. If it's a pilot career you want.. you're only getting older - make it happen now!
A lot of people get on here and psych themselves out before they even get into the game by listening to a bunch of complaining pilots on an internet forum about how hard and tough everything is. It is tough - but if you really want it, you can do it.
There are a bunch of opportunities to have your cake and eat it too (Camaro plus aviation career) just gotta work to make it happen (may not happen instantly). It can be done.... is that what you really want though?
Your choices sound as though you are already taking yourself out of the game.
06-11-2010, 07:41 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 456
And depreciating assets? I don't work every damn day for the ultimate goal of getting old and sitting on my you know what. I work to enjoy the here and now, and to survive the here and now, with a reasonable, but not obsessive amount of future planning. A TV is a depreciating asset, a vacation is an all out expense - but these are things that bring some enjoyment to the only 20% of life that is not a chore. I don't know, maybe I'm caught in my own mental trap... but I really wish the job paid a fair amount, because it looks like it doesn't, unless you are at the very top of the corrupt unions.
06-11-2010, 08:33 AM
#17
Moderator
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
I think you want us to talk you out of a flying career. Not gonna do that. Flying is a venerable, noble, interesting, unique, challenging, and lucrative profession and it will continue to be so for many years to come. There are problems with it such as the massive, time consuming ladder climb to the top. But you are young and smart enough to do that, so don't sell yourself short. You'll have two new Camaros, a Cessna, a house and an exciting job when you are 45 if you stick it out.
06-11-2010, 07:12 PM
#18
Rubber dogsh#t out of HKG
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Senior Seat Cushion Tester Extraordinaire
Posts: 625
And depreciating assets? I don't work every damn day for the ultimate goal of getting old and sitting on my you know what. I work to enjoy the here and now, and to survive the here and now, with a reasonable, but not obsessive amount of future planning. A TV is a depreciating asset, a vacation is an all out expense - but these are things that bring some enjoyment to the only 20% of life that is not a chore. I don't know, maybe I'm caught in my own mental trap... but I really wish the job paid a fair amount, because it looks like it doesn't, unless you are at the very top of the corrupt unions.
Apparently, you're unsure enough about the direction you should take at this juncture to put a poll out to the public. I just simply presented an opinion that you asked for.....take it or leave it.
Anyway, good luck.
06-11-2010, 07:12 PM
#19
Rubber dogsh#t out of HKG
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Position: Senior Seat Cushion Tester Extraordinaire
Posts: 625
Seriously, with a car, it's guaranteed to go down in value. However, there's actually a chance that obtaining your ratings will give you positive return. Just don't take out a loan for 100K plus to do it at ERAU et al.
....
06-11-2010, 07:23 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 456
Hey man, When you ask for opinions, you're going to get them. Why shoot 'em down with a snarky tone? And if you're so sure, why ask? My point was to point out a fact of life about financing a car that you possibly can't afford. Besides, one would hope that you're not paying interest on a TV or vacation like one would pay on a car.
Apparently, you're unsure enough about the direction you should take at this juncture to put a poll out to the public. I just simply presented an opinion that you asked for.....take it or leave it.
Anyway, good luck.
Apparently, you're unsure enough about the direction you should take at this juncture to put a poll out to the public. I just simply presented an opinion that you asked for.....take it or leave it.
Anyway, good luck.
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