HELP!!! Need Career Advice!!!

[Captwannabe]

Ok heres the scoop. I'm 25 years and have been flying for about 5 years. I started flying with the intentions of becoming a commercial pilot as a career. I got my ppl-com me pretty fast and then took a break when 9-11 happened ( i know big mistake) I was foolish and stupid in my younger years by not going to college and not trying to get my ratings as fast as possible. I have since gotten married and things are pretty good. We have a house, nice cars, good jobs, a savings account (with money in it), and for the most part are pretty happy. The problem is is that I really want to be in the aviation industry, prefferably flying. I want to pack up and go to a small college where I can finish my cfi's and instruct while getting a degree. In order to do this I would have to sell our house, cars, quit our jobs, and relocate to a small northern Michigan city. The college I'm looking at is Northwestern Michigan College. I have had some friends, and family graduate from there and they have had great things to say about it. It is also very resonably priced. I would be able to get my cfi's and 4 year degree for about 25K. Another concern is my age..I wouldn't be done with school till I was about 29 years old. Given the current state of the industry is this a wise decision. I really want to go, but also don't want to make a bad choice.

I would apprecitate and advice from someone who has had to deal with a similar situation, or anyone who feels like they can offer some advice.

Thanks

 

[labbats]

Finish your ratings and instruct off-hours at your local FBO.

Get your degree online.

 

[Doug]

We'll since you are now married. Is your wife willing to pack up shop, sell everything you own and move to some shanty town so that you can achieve your dream?

When I first decided to get my PPL(and hopefully go further), I did it with the hope that someday I would start an aviation career. After getting into flying, and learning about the industry, I have realized the chances of that are most likely pretty slim. ALthough at some point I would like to instruct or run a personal charter on the weekends for people that want to avoid traffic to the beach and things. But this would be simply "hobby" jobs, not something I would rely on for income.

The reality is I have a good job, a 401k, health insurance, blah blah blah. And if I really wanted to I could drop everything take the time, move to florida or something get all my ratings, etc. etc, then try to get with an airline. But the truth is it would take me probably 20 years in the airline industry to make what I am making today, plus I would be in a volatile industry. Hey I would love to do it, but the reality is it's not he best thing for my family, and beside that probably not a good decision for my future long term.

IMO, and this is strictly my opinion, and I am by no means trying to crap on your dream. If you are living a good life now, I don't see why you would want disrupt that. Do your flying, but do it as recreation or as income on the side. I could see if you were single, throwing everything you had into this, but you have a family to think about now.

Good LucK!

 

[pilotyip]

Only 5 of 177 airlines hiring make the degree a show stopper, don't move get your ratings locally, start flying. You can do your degree on-line later if desired. A degree has nothing to do with flying an airplane. Moving to Northern Mich and not flying for 6 out of 12 months due to weather will be expensive. Do a search under degree you can get a lot more information.