Dan64456

Also - Working in IT for the past 5+ years has conditioned me to be defensive at all times... I've gotten used to people only talking to me when they need something or complaining about something. Wears down on you after a while and starts to affect interactions with people outside of the office. Probably the thing I hate the most about the job.

Radials Rule

It's cool.

TonyWilliams

This guy is making comparisons to whims, and you think he should get out there and pursue a career with stiff competition?

I didn't vote for any choice. Keep the current car, fly a rented Cessna when you feel like it, and invest in the opportunities out there. Save for a house. Get a degree if you don't have one.

I cannot tell you how much I hope this 1500 hour / ATP bill passes.

TonyWilliams

"You can do it"..... ya, sure you can. Just tough it out. Maybe work for free, but you can do it. Perhaps pay to fly somebody's plane, but you can do it.

You'll never lose your medical... you can do it!!! Just do it !!!!

Do it !!

Outlaw2097

American cars are rebounding...give it a couple years and youll like that Camero.

ryan1234

These are obviously the only ways to do it. Silly me...

Heaven forbid someone work to pay for ratings without get into debt, network, get a CFI... maybe fly jumpers or go into the military... network more and land a nice flying job.

Of course not - it's never been done before... Losing a medical is so risky!! ... yeah, well... so is driving on the DC Beltway.

2StgTurbine

This shows that you have had little life experience or you have just been lucky.

If you lose your medical, you lose your ability to fly for a living, but you do not necessarily qualify for disability.

I lost my medical temporarily because of possible depth perception problems. Although I passed every practical test, the examiner decided my eye movements were strange so he added a note explaining it on the form. Three weeks later, the FAA tells me to stop flying. Three nervous months of investigation later, the FAA sends me a letter saying it is reinstated. Even if the doctor’s suspicions were correct, I would not have been able to qualify for disability.

What if you lost an eye? If you were a lawyer, you could still work. What if you lost a limb on the DC Beltway? If you were a business owner, you could still go to work. Or what if a suicidal coworker attacks you with a hammer causing severe brain injuries destroying an exemplary career you worked decades for?

Your medical is required to fly and like everything else in this industry, it is mostly out of your control.

ryan1234

Thank you for your wise observation...

It is a known risk of getting in the profession. Yes, you need a medical to fly and get paid. Bottom line, you can live your life in a cave afraid something is going to happen to you medically - or you can go get a medical before you start flying and see where you stack up.

People still get medicals... and they still get paid to fly - I would venture to say the majority of people that go to get a medical get one.

You're in UPT right now? What if you, or any other pilot trainee, didn't pass their next FC1? Should it stop you or anyone else from going in and/or applying?

btw, my second medical got denied by the AME because I had a few speeding tickets - it took about 3 months for the FAA to get back to me saying it was all good... yes, I'm lucky to be in good health - but it could change any minute - it's a risk I'm willing to take - just like flying itself.

2StgTurbine

I guess I was a little harsh, but I don't think this is the type of industry where you can just give it a shot. You will have to invest at least $30,000 and years of entry jobs before you even get the chance at the career. And although you got a medical when you started training, it does not mean you will always have one.

I am not at UPT now because the USAF asked about all of the extra eye exams I had done for the FAA and now they want to take a look at it too. It looks like it could be another 12-18 months.

And I recommend going the military route because it will not set you back finically and it could lead you to other jobs in the military. I would not recommend that someone plan to train at an FBO and go the OTS route. Too many things can happen along the way and you must invest a ton of money and time just to have a chance.

Dan64456

What if I changed one of the options to "Buy a house or condo next lease year for under 175K so I can stop paying rent?"

I hear you on the risk.. the amount I'd spend on flight training could easily be a down payment on actually owning a house. Then again, will I ever stop wondering what if? Knowing me, i probably won't stop wondering.