Wwyd

[Flyin Tony]

What would you do if your in my shoes??
19, CFI, 500 hours

ATC

or

Pilot

 

[Kream926]

if it helps any...atc is my plan B

 

[minitour]

ATC. Flight instruct on the side for experience, fly for fun...maybe some day do something with it.

It's something I've been kicking around...I need to get going if I'm going to do it though. 22 almost 23, 300 hours CFI/II...time's running out.

-mini

 

[chperplt]

Do you want to fly or not? That's like asking should I become a pro pilot or run a McDonalds.

If you want to fly for a living....fly. If you're more interested in ATC then go for that.

What do you want to do with your life.. That's the question you need to ask yourself....not us boneheads.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Do ATC only if you have a true interest in it. That is a career that, in my opinion, is more challenging and takes more talent than guiding a tube through the sky. Don't do it just because you think its easier...you will be surprised.

 

[Goose Egg]

I'd fly. If you are questioning yourself, then you are missing some of the ingredients of a truly fulfilling career. In order to be happy with it, you have to want it. And that is especially true of things that you already have.

-Goose

 

[Slye]

If you want to fly, fly. If you want to control traffic, go ATC. Being a 19 year old CFI w/ 500 hrs shouldn't really have a bearing on what you want to do w/ your life. Find out what you really want to do and make it happen. Good luck!

 

[pilotyip]

Only time will tell

Unless you are extremely lucky and land a good career-flying job with no layoffs, no cut backs, No commuting problems, no give backs, and no we are going out of business this week, there will be many times you look back and go I should have taken that ATC job. From what I hear ATC guys make enough to own an airplane, get jumpseat privileges or used to anyway, so you will only know some time in the future if you made the right chioce.

 

[JetSpeed219]

My instructor just got hired for Salt Lake City Center, she is only 23 and from what I hear it pays well (starts around 40k I think she said) and you are well taken care of since it's a government job. If you really have an interest in doing ATC I would go for it. Just my 0.2 cents

 

[Flyin Tony]

Im kind of set on what I want to do. Thats fly for Ameriflight (dont ask why) Just wanted to see what the others say that have been flying for years and years.

Tony

 

[Flyin Tony]

Anyone know what the pay max out at?

 

[propsarebest]

Go To College First!!!

 

[Kream926]

Go To College First!!!

definatly. get a non-aviation degree

 

[urflyingme?!]

ATC makes great cash. Call the ARTCC near you, they were really friendly at ABQ and showed me around. They'll give you all the answers you need...

 

[pilotyip]

college degree, college degree, what does that have to do with flying for Ameriflight? Start flying do your degree on the side, it has nothing to do with flying an airplane.

 

[crzepilot]

HEy man your are only 19 with 500 hours and a CFI, that sounds like a great start and being that young I doubt you have 500 hours just because you want to be an air traffic controller. I think it sounds like you would rather fly. As for ameriflight as a first job experience that sounds like a good goal they pay fairly well for the first year and you will be able to get some PIC turbine as soon as they allow you to fly the metero or that other turbo prop they fly. By no means is flying for amerflight an easy job though. Single-pilot night IFR with a plane that only half of your equipment may be working properly...sounds challenging to me

 

[F16fixer]

Go be a male nurse! Good money, easy work, high demand. What else could you ask for? Lots of chicks too.

 

[crzepilot]

That's also a good idea and since males are considered a minority in the field of nursing you can get a butt load of scholarships and grants.

 

[Flyin Tony]

Single-pilot night IFR with a plane that only half of your equipment may be working properly

That sounded like my plane when we first bought it. With ameriflight I like the idea of being your own boss once you get in the plane, they just want you to get to XYZ. They dont give a rats how you do it just as long as you get there (or so im told) I start taking some college classes in aug.

 

[Lead Sled]

definatly. get a non-aviation degree

Wise advice. You guys who are still in your teens and early 20's and have at least a couple of hundred hours are still in a good position. There is a mistaken impression that if you don't have at least your ATP, a couple of thousand hours, and a shuttle mission or two under your belt by the time you're 23 you're screwed as far as your flying career goes. Not true. But to make it in this business you have to be very focused, almost fanatical (or a female minority. )

Things in aviation - all areas, airline and corporate, are in transition. This isn't the first time and it won't be the last. There will be plenty of jobs out there in the future and you guy still have plenty of time to prepare for them. Concentrate on the total package - education, flying credentials, etc. and by all means have a life. There is more to living than flying.

'Sled

 

[Andy Neill]

Anyone know what the pay max out at?

That info and much more found here:
http://www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/file/occguide/AIRCONTR.HTM

 

[Swass]

Go be a male nurse! Good money, easy work, high demand. What else could you ask for? Lots of chicks too.

Nurse Anesthetist, have a friend (male) who does it and he makes over six figures. Great job if you like to do actual procedures but don't want the hassles of being an MD (malpractice etc.) or cleaning up after incontinent patients (nursing).

 

[Goose Egg]

college degree, college degree, what does that have to do with flying for Ameriflight? Start flying do your degree on the side, it has nothing to do with flying an airplane.

For once I agree with Yip on this one. If Ameriflight is going to do it for you, then just head straight there. Make sure you do finish up the degree though--I still think it's important no matter what.

-Goose

Note: What I ended up doing is getting my ratings via a college aviation program (on the cheap--it was a state school). I am now instructing full time, and have been accepted into an MBA program for which my employer will foot the bill. I think the MBA will be good because it gives me a lot of options should I lose my medical or get furloughed. From there I'm hoping to go to a regional.

Note to note: I am not endorsing any particular path for flying. I think there are as many ways to be successful as there are pilots. I'm just citing what has been working for me. Overall I've been pretty fortunate.

 

[414Flyer]

ATC. Flying is not the career it used to be, and aviation jobs that actually have a retirement are not common anymore.

At least in ATC, you can afford to buy a house, buy a small plane, not have to eat beans and ramen, you have stability and a job. Plus since you can afford to buy a small plane if you want or go in on one, you can fly for fun and enjoy it still.

Look at those pilots now who thought they had it made, and now are without a job and have little to no pension.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Good luck with Ameriflight. I had to do a redeye passenger flight a few weeks ago with my airline and decided that flying freight would definitely not be for me.

 

[Goose Egg]

Once again, I can only speak for myself here, but I really wouldn't be happy doing anything but flying. And sure, the flying career may not be what it used to be, but I never got into this to be compensated like a rock star. I just want to own my own little subdivision house, to drive a normal car, and to add a new board to the quiver every now and then. Maybe if I do exceptionally well I can play a little golf too.

-Goose

 

[Snakum]

Go To College First!!!

Until recently, I would say I agree. However, I was recently introduced to a 23 year old Citation Captain who spent his college-age years washing airplanes for single-engine time and sitting right seat in the same King Air I'm in part-time now. He's 23 years old and flying for a medium-sized 91/135 operation and he can go to school online or part-time or whatever. So I dunno ...

Minh

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Until recently, I would say I agree. However, I was recently introduced to a 23 year old Citation Captain who spent his college-age years washing airplanes for single-engine time and sitting right seat in the same King Air I'm in part-time now. He's 23 years old and flying for a medium-sized 91/135 operation and he can go to school online or part-time or whatever. So I dunno ...

Minh

Identical to my story almost. Except I left 91 to go 121. I had been working on a degree at a local college while instructing when I got the job offer in the Citation. I was a fairly low time CFI but this was pre 9/11 (I was 19). I upgraded to Captain a couple of years later then after building a bit of PIC turbine I took a 121 job (better schedule and QOL). Now having a fixed schedule with at least 12 days a month off I hope to find the time to finish my degree. There are many paths that one can take I suppose, but I've been pleased with mine so far.

 

[414Flyer]

Once again, I can only speak for myself here, but I really wouldn't be happy doing anything but flying. And sure, the flying career may not be what it used to be, but I never got into this to be compensated like a rock star. I just want to own my own little subdivision house, to drive a normal car, and to add a new board to the quiver every now and then. Maybe if I do exceptionally well I can play a little golf too.

-Goose

I think every pilot has this stage, where aviation is the most important thing in their life. I know I went thru it. But I predict that eventually you will reach a point too where you realize there are a lot more important and significant things in life too.

 

[Goose Egg]

I think every pilot has this stage, where aviation is the most important thing in their life. I know I went thru it. But I predict that eventually you will reach a point too where you realize there are a lot more important and significant things in life too.

I can't say that I won't ever leave flying--I don't have a crystal ball, but I can say that there are already other things in my life that are more important. Flying is a job, flying is work, which means that by definition there will be times that aren't much fun. I knew that a long time ago. But honestly I really enjoy myself, and I say this as a CFI, which is arguably one of the crappiest flying jobs ever. I'm not thrilled just to get paid and fly, I've been over that for a while. I just find the work to be quite satisfying. Aviation is not the most important thing in my life, but it is great to be able to say that I love my job.

(But dam ned if I don't like my days off sometimes!)

In any case, I'm not recommending one course of action over another. I'm just saying where I stand on my own little internal debate.

-Goose