Career Change
Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:21 am
Folks:
Anyone thought of changing your career? With the economy down, and certain industries disappearing perhaps it's a logical choice. For example, I'm a civil engineer, recently obtaining my PE license, but the entire field has nearly vanished at the moment. So the dilemma is, wait it out, or do something else? I'm considering getting all of the aviation ratings all the way up to IFR, CFI, CFII, and commercial. It takes money, by the time you get all of these certs., you will have spent close to 20k. So perhaps better to accept mediocrity for the next 2 years, or to train in something else and lose some savings in the process? What's the better option? I'm sure Jack Cook, Ryan Short or BDK would know. Is anyone willing to dicsuss this with a lowly 2nd class A2C?
Anyone thought of changing your career? With the economy down, and certain industries disappearing perhaps it's a logical choice. For example, I'm a civil engineer, recently obtaining my PE license, but the entire field has nearly vanished at the moment. So the dilemma is, wait it out, or do something else? I'm considering getting all of the aviation ratings all the way up to IFR, CFI, CFII, and commercial. It takes money, by the time you get all of these certs., you will have spent close to 20k. So perhaps better to accept mediocrity for the next 2 years, or to train in something else and lose some savings in the process? What's the better option? I'm sure Jack Cook, Ryan Short or BDK would know. Is anyone willing to dicsuss this with a lowly 2nd class A2C?
Re: Career Change
Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:29 am
A2C wrote:Is anyone willing to dicsuss this with a lowly 2nd class A2C?
Yes, but not tonight. I've got to get some sleep. I'll get back with you early next week if the schedule permits.
Ryan
Re: Career Change
Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:00 am
I'm not sure I'll be any help here Chris.
I don't think being a flight instructor is a quick path to riches. All the airline pilots I know with the majors have either had their pay cut, their pension cut, their retirement medical insurance cut or all three. I don't think that profession to me has the allure ($$$) it used to. On pilot I know for the majors had to sell his warbird fighter because after his retirement benefits were cut, it became his retirement nest egg. He couldn't afford to insure it and he couldn't afford to lose it if he rolled it up into a ball.
Gone too are the days when an aerospace engineer could support three sons and Uncle Charlie all on a single income (My Three Sons TV show reference).
Many of these industries have consolidated and become much more competetive. Also as an airline pilot you will spend a lot of time away from your lovely new wife.
I didn't know you got your PE. That is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations. Maybe you could start a consulting business?
It's tough out there and unfortunately I can't predict what or when I should do anything so I am reluctant to offer advice to anyone else. My company is laying off a few here and there and taking full advantage of attrition. All I can hope is that they'll retain me to shut the lights off after everyone else goes out the door!
I don't think being a flight instructor is a quick path to riches. All the airline pilots I know with the majors have either had their pay cut, their pension cut, their retirement medical insurance cut or all three. I don't think that profession to me has the allure ($$$) it used to. On pilot I know for the majors had to sell his warbird fighter because after his retirement benefits were cut, it became his retirement nest egg. He couldn't afford to insure it and he couldn't afford to lose it if he rolled it up into a ball.
Gone too are the days when an aerospace engineer could support three sons and Uncle Charlie all on a single income (My Three Sons TV show reference).
Many of these industries have consolidated and become much more competetive. Also as an airline pilot you will spend a lot of time away from your lovely new wife.
I didn't know you got your PE. That is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations. Maybe you could start a consulting business?
It's tough out there and unfortunately I can't predict what or when I should do anything so I am reluctant to offer advice to anyone else. My company is laying off a few here and there and taking full advantage of attrition. All I can hope is that they'll retain me to shut the lights off after everyone else goes out the door!
Re: Career Change
Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:00 pm
bdk:
Thanks! What you say about the aerospace and aviation businesses applies to manufacturing and many other fields at this time. The field of Civil eng, is really bad, but I think it must recover in 2 years if people want new buildings, bridges, infrastructure etc. Otherwise where will they live?
Maybe it would be better to wait until it recovers, and not ambitiously pursue other fields. So, it's a difficult choice.
On the other hand, it may be good to do it just to have something else to fall back on when the bad cycles happen again in the future. At least an air charter business or small flight school would straight forward to create on a convienient basis if you have all the ratings.
Thanks! What you say about the aerospace and aviation businesses applies to manufacturing and many other fields at this time. The field of Civil eng, is really bad, but I think it must recover in 2 years if people want new buildings, bridges, infrastructure etc. Otherwise where will they live?
Maybe it would be better to wait until it recovers, and not ambitiously pursue other fields. So, it's a difficult choice.
On the other hand, it may be good to do it just to have something else to fall back on when the bad cycles happen again in the future. At least an air charter business or small flight school would straight forward to create on a convienient basis if you have all the ratings.
Re: Career Change
Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:07 pm
It is never a bad idea to get more ratings, that's for sure!
Re: Career Change
Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:01 am
i'm in the same position, but not in your field. i'm a business owner along with my 3 brothers & 1 sister. were on the skids & i'm ready for adult diapers just thinking about it at 48 years old.
Re: Career Change
Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:20 am
A2C: A big congrats on the P.E. That's what, 16,000+ hours of time devoted to making that registration? Lots of time devoted to making it. Maybe you can find some way to combine civil work and flying in such a way that you can make the $ you need to. I would be hesitant about getting out of the the civil field, having a P.E., despite the dearth of work. If it were me, I would be starting to shop around for a different location or a different field that could use civil expereince. Heck, I'd bet that you could even find work with some of the big demolition companies, figuring out how to bring down structures that are being replaced....Just a thought....
Tom: Done the big career change three times in my life. Twice was by choice, once was by necessity. It can be scary, but the more you prepare for it and get things set up while you don't have to change, the easier it will be. Dan Miller's "No More Mondays" might be some worthwhile reading.
Tom: Done the big career change three times in my life. Twice was by choice, once was by necessity. It can be scary, but the more you prepare for it and get things set up while you don't have to change, the easier it will be. Dan Miller's "No More Mondays" might be some worthwhile reading.
Re: Career Change
Tue Dec 15, 2009 10:51 am
CVairworks:
We were sorry to leave Chippendale's. Hope your next career works out for you!
You were one heck of a dancer!!!!
We were sorry to leave Chippendale's. Hope your next career works out for you!
You were one heck of a dancer!!!!
Re: Career Change
Tue Dec 15, 2009 11:07 am
If I were to dance there, they would have to change the name to ChipnChunks.... 
Re: Career Change
Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:01 pm
I'm not thinking I like the direction this thread is turning! 
Re: Career Change
Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:31 pm
Chippendales, now there's an idea. BTW, I thought I was a PE just found I failed the test. I'll try it again in April.. I had all my paperwork in order to send in, and the test seemed fine... but wasn't....
Re: Career Change
Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:06 am
I wouldn't recommend getting into the airline business. With the exception of a few companies, it is extremely unstable, unreliable, and generally not worth the heartache. I have plenty of friends who have been with 5 or 6 airlines, been furloughed multiple times, and make the same amount of money now as they did when they started 20 to 25 years ago. If you did decide to go into this career field, make sure you are not married and have no kids, because either the commute, lack of money, lack of retirement, or instability will kill your marriage. Either that, or make sure your wife makes more money than you do, and then it won't be an issue! 
BTW, nobody is hiring right now in the States, and probably won't be for a while. There are literally thousands of applications sitting on all of the major airlines' desks waiting for an interview. And those applications are the ones from pilots with 10,000 + hours! There is such a backlog for pilot jobs right now, that it could very well take 5 to 7 years to clear out. The only exception would be living overseas. I hear that some airlines overseas, like in Asia, South America, Africa and India are hiring. Would you be comfortable living in China, India, or Africa for the rest of your aviation career?
BTW, nobody is hiring right now in the States, and probably won't be for a while. There are literally thousands of applications sitting on all of the major airlines' desks waiting for an interview. And those applications are the ones from pilots with 10,000 + hours! There is such a backlog for pilot jobs right now, that it could very well take 5 to 7 years to clear out. The only exception would be living overseas. I hear that some airlines overseas, like in Asia, South America, Africa and India are hiring. Would you be comfortable living in China, India, or Africa for the rest of your aviation career?
Re: Career Change
Sat Dec 19, 2009 4:47 am
Does that mean I can hire a warbird pilot to fly at Reno for cheap ?
Wanted :
Pilot , experience doesnt matter , preferably not married without kids or family to test pilot a Quad turbo 5000 hp Reno Air racer . Commission only
Wanted :
Pilot , experience doesnt matter , preferably not married without kids or family to test pilot a Quad turbo 5000 hp Reno Air racer . Commission only