Need a your opinion

[13579ms]

As a current CFI that barely makes 4 figures a month, I've just about had it with this mess. My wife gets on my case about not making enough to even pay my school loans and all that other stuff, she wants kids, bla bla bla. I'm sick of it too. She's got a point. I have a BSAS degree and all these certificates and their not doing a whole lot of good right now. I love instructing whether its ground or flight, not to many people can say this about there job. The thing is it doesnt pay the bills. I was thinking about going back into the military for a few years to pay of my loans start a family and not worry about rent, electricity etc. I researched and was told I could keep E-5 and the place I would request to be stationed has a flying club which I recently spoke to and was welcome as a full or part-time CFI. I think It would be a good move and I'd be enjoying a better quality life. I could make a decent amount, pay of loans, instruct part-time, and maybe even take my wife out once in awhile. I cherish my family and my wife and right now the war and the economy is really hurting us all. I think in a few years the dust cloud should not be as big. I'll will be able to afford to fly as a career. Anyway this is a big decision and your comments and advise are welcome. Maybe somebody knows something I don't. thanks.

 

[g159av8tor]

I look at it this way (Caution!!! This an antagonistic, self-centered, but honest assesment): All those who quit aviation now (especially those senior to me), for any reason, means less competition for me when the pendulum starts swinging the other way. I'm very simplistic in my approach to most thigs in life.

This is really a test of your passion for a flying career. Nothing more.

Basically, you will make it or you won't and you'll never know if you quit. I sacrafice like everybody else for this stupid career, each for their own personal reasons. This career pisses off my wife (whose in aviation but not a pilot) time and again and she's been around it since I was in training for my C-AMEL in college. What I do: make every minute count when you're with her, nothing less than full throttle. It's tough, but if you're in love...get it?

I've never seen the inside of a cubicle and have a difficult time understanding the jokes in the movie "Office Space" as my wife laughs her a$$ off. I fully intend to keep it that way.

Tailwinds...

 

[daddysquared]

Tell you what. I feel your pain, actually, it appears there are quite a few that feel your pain. The way I see it, the industry may get better, it may not get better. Certianly I would hope that after going big bucks in debt for all my schooling, I'll make enough to pay the loan bill and then have a little left over for myself. However, I would much rather fly for $20K-$40K for a few years with the possibility of making more than that, as opposed to sitting in front of this Freakin' computer taking computer troubleshooting calls for $40K-$60K. Just a way of life man. There is no better office view than that from a cockpit. In the end, though, don't forget, 90% of your happiness and 90% of your misery will come from who you are married to. If all is well on the home front, you can make it through just about anything.

Out.

 

[avbug]

Don't expect to see a big change in the industry soon. You may be instructing for a while yet, and if you can do it as an E-5 with all the trimmings and benifits (such as they are), then why not?

At least this way you can keep flying and instructing, and still make a living.

Bear in mind that this happens to the industry every ten years or so...always has.

Starting out is tough. A lot of us have been through it before, several times. In fact, plan on the first ten years or so being tough. If that's unacceptable, then perhaps this isn't the right choice of vocation for you.

 

[banned username 2]

I agree with Avbug...

One other thing... put your family first... There are enough up's and down's in this industry, your family wil be your only pillar of stability...

Do what you need to do, there is more to life than flying...

 

[skydiverdriver]

I felt the same way you do a few years ago when I was struggling. No jobs were available, and I gave up on flying as a career. The problem was that I couldn't find anything else that I wanted to do. I left a stable dispatch job to be a CFI and it was the best thing I ever did. Now I wish I had started this career sooner. Of course, I was single and didn't have anyone else to worry about, but if your wife is supportive, she will benefit later on as well. Hope this helps you, and good luck.

 

[g159av8tor]

Falcon Capt. makes a good point about family...a real loving family will never turn their back on you no matter what path you choose.

Tailwinds...

 

[bobbysamd]

Military flying

I second all the above about your family - that your family comes first while at the same time your family should be supportive of your career.

You apparently have a good military background, especially at E-5. What about military flying for the best of all worlds? It requires a commitment of several years and war is a clear and present danger, but when you retire you get to go to the head of the line.

Good luck with your plans. Don't throw it all away - yet.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

Get a second job, sell sperm and/or blood. Industry is in the sh!thole, and if anyone knew what was wrong with it or how to fix it, they would have done it by now (execs have to pay for Ferraris and mansions too). You’re pretty much fawked for the next 5 years. As far as the wife, shoulda waited.
And, if this isn’t detailed enough, use the search, I believe the subject at hand has been beaten to death, with the usual, cookie cutter responses from resident crisis counselors and high seniority well wishers

 

[daddysquared]

Spoken like a true gentleman.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

Would you like to add, squared? Or would you rather discuss the merits of PFTing vs. buying a rating to fly for the "Eagles"?

 

[daddysquared]

Add? Already did. PFTing? not my thing. Thanks for sharing, dog.

 

[ClassG]

And another thing...

If you decide to hold true to your commitment to your flying career (which I hope you find a way to do), please don't spew regret and bitterness over an otherwise laid-back and realistic discussion of the challenges of following your dreams. Sometimes people forget why they went after this gig in the first place.

Worse yet, sometimes you'll met people who already have the brass ring right in the palm of their hand and, for some reason, forget how much they valued it before they had it. It's a shame, but it happens. Don't let that be you. It's an ugly thing for the rest of us to have to witness.

Good luck, and I'd go back to the E5 position, even if temporarily. It's short-term stability for those who matter most (for what it's worth).

 

[13579ms]

I appreciate all of the comments and advise so far. I don't know what else I could enjoy doing. I love this flying sh!t but I was one of those guys that had to work for whatever was desired and Whatever I do I will never give this up. i dont think taking a temporary break will do any harm especially if I instruct on the side. As for my other half, she fully supports my flying career even if I only make a few bucks. Hell if it weren't for her I might not be where I am today. It's a toughh one and I have to choose the right path. Thanks again.

 

[cezzna]

You are in a tough position right now. I was once in your shoes and lived , loved and inhaled aviaion. Now I have a family and I can tell you that for me having a wonderful wife and great kids is the brass ring. I still love flying and always will but it is definitely in the back seat now. I think you'll find that the older people get in this business the less flying matters and the more family matters. Don't get me wrong I'm not jaded by the industry but there will come a time when flying is not the most important thing in life for most people.

 

[Airpiraterob]

gotta tell ya.

yeah flight instruction is fustrating. i agree. it takes alot out of you....here is what my progression was in hours of dual given.

200 hrs.-figuring out just how to really teach
400 hrs.-i figured it out. having fun now with it. good times.
800 hrs.-god im yelling much much more often lately.
1100 hrs.-god im about to shoot myself in the face.

this was all primary instruction; however, i didnt make enough to afford to get the double-I so i could never teach the lab class on how clouds work from the inside. I loved it however. the people made it fun for me. they all wanted to be there and learn. the good eggs make the bad eggs tolerable and worth it. youll wind up with good friends too over time.

advice...Teach on the weekends. the CFII might be the way to go for the weekend instructor. teach a good long instrument day on the weekends. youll get decent flight time and theyll get their instrument. it doesnt have to be all primary. and rain or shine youve got some flying to do....and youll get your desk job during the week.

were gonna see the return of the high time instructor guys. you know the ones at the FBO with 2000 total and 400ME and just then getting a call from a regional...mabye...oh...its already here!

 

[sjflyer]

join the reserves make a few extra bucks and keep teaching.