Crossroads

[braidkid]

I need some serious advice.
I'm at a real crossroads.

I've been offered two jobs....
1) Engineering job with Boeing. Pay is $60k starting out. Of course full benifits, you name it.....
2) Flight Instructing job which pays $35k.....single and multi-engine. Full health benifits, etc...

Which one would you take? I know if I take the engineering job I would not pursue flying as a career, however, if I take the instructing job I would hopefully fly for a regional or corporate someday.

Should I leave aviation for a responsible career with a big company or stick with flying? I know there are a lot of disgruntled pilots on here. I'm looking for advice from some of you guys that have been flying for a living for a while. Is it worth it in the end or is making a fat paycheck and good job security more important to you?

I know this is an impossible question to answer and it's ultimately my decision but I'd like your thoughts...

 

[MooseTrax]

nobody can make the decision for you, and folks on here won't do that. You have to ask yourself what is most important to you. I personally have kids, so a stable, secure job with benefits is highly desireable. It may not be for you though. You may be single and love to fly so much that the flight instructor job is worth it. The other thing is happiness. Can you be happy as an engineer and wake up most days looking forward to going to work or does the thought of working in an office just make you cringe. What is your current financial situation, what goals do you have....etc. Good luck with your decision. It is a tough market out there right now, but who knows what the future will bring. I personally was in similar shoes 18 months ago and had to make a decision to stay in a very well paying job with full benefits for me and my family or pursue a civilian flying career. Many have told me I was nuts, but I went with my true passion. There have been some serious ups and downs this last 18 months...and I mean serious, but we are making things workout. I personally could not stand the thought of staying where I was just for the money and benefits.

And by the way, that engineering job could be unstable depending on what happens at Boeing in the future. If we have learned nothing else over the last three years it is that nothing is completely safe and stable in the aviation business.....even for engineers.

 

[Ty Webb]

If you got an offer to flight instruct for $35K/yr and it holds, you've got a much easier entry into this field than most.

Of course, unless you go corporate, that is probably the most money you can expect to make per year for the next three or four years, and probably less if you go to a regional from there. By the time you upgrade, you will be getting close to your engineering job.

Of course, that is only the financial side of it. As someone else wrote, you have to decide what will make you happy, but not just while you are work, but at home, too.

Whatever you decide, good luck to you.

 

[Spooky 1]

Braidkid,


Just a point of interest. You might be suprised at how many of the Boeing test pilot cadre came out of engineering with a civilian pilot background. Several of their most senior test pilots including the VP of Flight Operations came via that exact pipeline. Obviously there are no guarantees, but take a look and see what might be possible. Obviously they only give the best and brightest these oportunities, but it does happen and with some frequency to boot. Not sure what your engineering background is, but maybe, just maybe it is the one that will get you to the front steps of Boeing Flight Ops. As you may know already there are several factions within Boeing Flight Operations. Experimental Flight Test, Production Flight Test, Flight Training and the Alteon thing which really does not count as part of Boeing Flight Ops., although there may be some changes in the works for the Seattle Alteon facility because of the 7E7's development. I am not sure but I will bet that maybe up to 40% of this pilot group does not have a military background much less a military flight test background. On the other hand one of the guys who over sees the B767 program has three space shuttle command rides under belt. A really interesting group of pilots needless to say.

Good luck no matter which way you choose to go!

 

[reepicheep]

If you have a family with kids or forsee one or want to make the conservative, logical choice, go with the engineering job.

If you're more the free spirit type and can handle the uncertainty and mediocre pay and benefits now offered by this industry, even at the "majors", stick with flying.

 

[Oakum_Boy]

Flying for a living is DIRT. I'm not out of my 20's and can't wait to decide and embark on a new and exciting career. Maybe in the TV/VCR repair business, where at least you can make your own decisions and not be chastised by management for doing the right thing.

 

[potrack]

#1 without a doubt

 

[txpilot1_99]

So, I see you're seriously contemplating both jobs. This sucks, doesn't it? Let me know what you decide...if only I had to choose between your two options instead of what I am looking at.


You kow you won't be happy doing engineering. Just, as always, be careful with the CFI gig. I haven't heard too much good or bad about where you are looking for the CFI gig, but it is on the "other" coast. Keep in mind the cost of living there and that may be the reason for the high pay. Are you having to sign up for a specified amount of time?

I'll go wallow in my misery some more.

Good luck whatever you decide and keep in touch...especially if you become a big Boeing Test Pilot.

TX

 

[txpilot1_99]

By the way, glad to see you posting again!!!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

got a family? simple...go with #1, save some money and fly for fun.

Nothing to tie you down? who cares? you can always change your mind later.

Starting a flying career (CFI job) is not the thing to do when you have responsibilities.

Good Luck!

 

[bobbysamd]

Boeing or IFTA

You do have a tough decision. The Boeing job pays great and offers a great future, but wouldn't it be subject to the same vagaries as piloting? E.g., couldn't Boeing lay you off if business is bad?

Your IFTA job offer is an opportunity to instruct at a deluxe, state-of-the-art flight school, teaching hand-picked, motivated students. It is not an ordinary instructing job. The starting money is nothing to sneeze at, and, if I am not mistaken, you will start off at the bottom of a scale that tops out at great money. You will have benefits and good working conditions.

Perhaps the determining factor is how you see aviation in the future, with that boiling down to how badly you want to fly. The airlines tend to dictate hiring and upward mobility industry-wide. At the the moment, upward mobility is limited, so it's hard to say how much progress you might make. On the other hand, IFTA is not a bad place to hang your helmet and goggles. Then, no one would fault you for working at Boeing and flying on the side.

It really is a toughie. When it comes right down to it, despite what some might think, IFTA is still just a job. Boeing is also a job. You have to decide which job fits better.

Hope that helps a little. Good luck with your decision.

PS-There is a comment below that one should do what one is passionate about. Sure - in theory - but, sometimes, circumstances and practicality dictate that passions be put aside in favor of what pays money. I had to and did. Just food for thought.

 

[empenage]

I need some serious advice.
I'm at a real crossroads.

I've been offered two jobs....
1) Engineering job with Boeing. Pay is $60k starting out. Of course full benifits, you name it.....
2) Flight Instructing job which pays $35k.....single and multi-engine. Full health benifits, etc...

Which one would you take? I know if I take the engineering job I would not pursue flying as a career, however, if I take the instructing job I would hopefully fly for a regional or corporate someday.

Should I leave aviation for a responsible career with a big company or stick with flying? I know there are a lot of disgruntled pilots on here. I'm looking for advice from some of you guys that have been flying for a living for a while. Is it worth it in the end or is making a fat paycheck and good job security more important to you?

I know this is an impossible question to answer and it's ultimately my decision but I'd like your thoughts...

Without any doubt in my mind, I would take door number 1 for now. Give it your best and see if it's for you. I dont know how old you are but if you're young door number 2 will be there later.

I just feel that door #1 will provide more opportunity in the future for you and look outstanding on a resume should you go with door #2 later. Keep flying while you work for Boeing, you will have the money, stay current. Make any contacts you can while you are there.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[KeroseneSnorter]

Boeing job would be my choice.

 

[cosmotheassman]

I am a firm believer that happiness is worth more than money. I left a cush job making $70k at one of the largest companies in the world to be a pilot. I've always wanted to be a pilot and it finally happened for me. I am 100% happier flying and I am making half my salary from before.

I feel if you have to ask this question, you shouldn't be a pilot; or an engineer for that matter. Do what you are passionate about and can't imagine doing anything else...

 

[JimBo480]

Not an easy decision. I'm currently working as a mechanical engineer while furloughed from a major. I love being home every night, have a great job, great boss, average pay/benefits and live 5 miles from work. It looks like I'll be getting recalled in the next couple of months and I'm going back. My father thinks I'm making the wrong decision, giving up a sure thing to jump back into aviation.

However, several of the engineers I work with, who are also private pilots would trade places in a second. There is no sure thing, and our plant which was recently purchased by a much larger company could easily consolidate engineering to the home plant, closing down our engineering department. There's pros and cons to both sides.

If I had to start at the bottom and work my way up the aviation food chain, I think I would lean toward the engineering job (looking to purchase a light plane down the road). With the glut of pilots on the market, the folks working regionals are going to be paying-their-dues for a long time. I feel for them and am thankful I'm not stuck at the bottom of a regional seniority list. I was lucky, I flew civilian, then went military for a career and retired directly to a major. But the most fun I've had in aviation was flying my C-180 on floats to remote fishing spots around Alaska with my kids.

Having said that, if I could find a stable, good paying engineer job in Alaska that paid enough to purchase another float plane I would seriously consider the position. The majors will probably never return to the glory days. I'll be going back to a slight pay cut, expect to take another cut in a couple of years and will probably see my retirement plan totally gutted. My airline could fold or furlough again, but for me at this time in my life going back is the right thing to do.

Good luck with your decision, Jim

 

[braidkid]

decision

I have chosen Boeing. I will have regrets about not pursuing flying but I can always do that on the side and instruct. Unfortunately I am in a position where I would regret either decision. My wife and I both are ready for something stable and I feel engineering is the right choice for us. Perhaps by not pursuing aviation and working for 19k/year it will be one less competitor out there and will raise the pay for the rest of you guys and gals out there???

Thank you all for your kind responses. I wish you all a Happy Holiday.

 

[wheelsup]

I need some serious advice.
I'm at a real crossroads.

I've been offered two jobs....
1) Engineering job with Boeing. Pay is $60k starting out. Of course full benifits, you name it.....
2) Flight Instructing job which pays $35k.....single and multi-engine. Full health benifits, etc...

Which one would you take? I know if I take the engineering job I would not pursue flying as a career, however, if I take the instructing job I would hopefully fly for a regional or corporate someday.

Like everyone else said, it all boils down to what you want to do. With 1200+ hours you can apply to regionals NOW. If you don't have the twin time then maybe a night freight job is in order. I guess what I'm trying to say is that those aren't your only two options, are they?

~wheelsup

 

[braidkid]

Like everyone else said, it all boils down to what you want to do. With 1200+ hours you can apply to regionals NOW. If you don't have the twin time then maybe a night freight job is in order. I guess what I'm trying to say is that those aren't your only two options, are they?

~wheelsup

Actually I tried the night freight thing and wasn't fond of it to say the least!! All in all I've decided that flying as a career isn't for me. Perhaps if the pay was better, you weren't gone everynight and there was some lateral moves in terms of pay.

 

[bobbysamd]

Decision made

I have chosen Boeing. I will have regrets about not pursuing flying but I can always do that on the side and instruct. Unfortunately I am in a position where I would regret either decision. My wife and I both are ready for something stable and I feel engineering is the right choice for us. Perhaps by not pursuing aviation and working for 19k/year it will be one less competitor out there and will raise the pay for the rest of you guys and gals out there???

Thank you all for your kind responses. I wish you all a Happy Holiday.

Good luck and hope it works out.

In the meantime, there's a great instructing job at IFTA that is going wanting . . . .