If you went off to college...

#26
#26
amazingGRACE said:
I'm 21 & I've always been a homebody & loved being around my family. I'm moving a few hours away to Murfreesboro in August to finish flight school..that's what my real dilemma is.

I love flying airplanes, but once I get a real job, do I wanna be away from my family & possibly wife & kids for 20-25 days a month, living in a hotel? Absolutely not. I'd be miserable. So I'm kinda stuck now..do I give up on my dream of flying for a living so I can be around my family?
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If I may impart a little wisdom and experience on you, you are hitting this industry at the right time. Major airlines are starting to hire and massive retirements are around the corner. If you go the civilian route and join a regional airline, keep your head down and get to the left seat ASAP. Grab 1,000 hrs or so of PIC turbine and keep your app in at the majors. Short term pain but it's still fun flying. Hard work and some long hours, but fun. I'm 14 years at a major and life is good. Been through 9/11 and bankruptcy but we've come out on the other sided and right now it's good. I fly about 15 days a month, usually 3-4 day trips (gone for only two or three nights) and the way the scheduling falls, I can usually finagel an additional three or four weeks (in addition to vacation) off through out the year where I can either pick up a short two day trip for extra $$ or just enjoy the time off. Unless you have an "IN" at the best corporate aviation job out there, be careful. Corporate flight departments are "here today, gone tomorrow" First thing that goes when a corporation hits the skids are the airplanes. Military secret here: Get in a full time guard unit if you want someone else to pay for your training. Go part time when you get your airline job. Deployments do happen but less so in the current environment and you'll be home most nights.
 
#27
#27
I left Atlanta for UT and never looked back. Was so looking forward to college and getting out on my own... and big time college football! Never went home except for holidays and part of the summer.
 
#28
#28
The wife and I bought a house that is within 15 minutes of both sets of parents. What does that tell ya? Went to college an hour away and was home often, partially due to having a summer and weekend job back home.
 
#29
#29
Was extremely easy for me to leave east Texas and head to College Station. Was slightly harder to leave College Station for Denver, where I graduated.
 
#30
#30
Vol737 said:
I left Atlanta for UT and never looked back. Was so looking forward to college and getting out on my own... and big time college football! Never went home except for holidays and part of the summer.
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Glad you came to UT. Curious why didn't you go to Georgia or G. Tech? Out of state tuition, etc.
 
#31
#31
I grew up in a really small town in West TN. The only thing I miss about it is not seeing some of my extended family who still live in the area.

That and Bell's hamburgers and good pulled pork BBQ
 
#32
#32
Ernest T. Vol said:
Glad you came to UT. Curious why didn't you go to Georgia or G. Tech? Out of state tuition, etc.
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Grew up a semi Georgia fan but parents were from East Tennessee. Dad went to UT and played baseball but transferred because in his words, "spent too many nights on the pool table in the frat house". He ended up going to CN, played baseball and bsktball there and then did his masters at UT. Grew up coming up to Knoxville to see extended family and going to UT games with my dad and it just got in my blood. Applied to and got accepted to GT but just didn't want to go there, my entire high school was going to UGA, GA Southern or other state school. I pieced some scholarships together and worked my way through to pay for the out of state tuition. It was much cheaper when I went through school than it is now. But by God, I was going to UT! So, that's the long version of it.
 
#33
#33
737, if you were me would you do the normal progression of getting your ratings, instructing until you hit mins & then find a decent regional?


I actually have a few "ins" with some corporate departments. My mom worked for a company for 25+ years that flies a king air & I know the pilots pretty well. Also know a pretty higher up guy with Dr Pepper/Snapple & he said he probably get me fixed up with their flight department.

Not sure if I should instruct a bit longer & wait out for one of the corporate jobs that I may or may not get. I just don't wanna go to a regional..I've heard horror stories :)
 
#35
#35
amazingGRACE said:
737, if you were me would you do the normal progression of getting your ratings, instructing until you hit mins & then find a decent regional?


I actually have a few "ins" with some corporate departments. My mom worked for a company for 25+ years that flies a king air & I know the pilots pretty well. Also know a pretty higher up guy with Dr Pepper/Snapple & he said he probably get me fixed up with their flight department.

Not sure if I should instruct a bit longer & wait out for one of the corporate jobs that I may or may not get. I just don't wanna go to a regional..I've heard horror stories :)
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I'm no expert, but you should gat a job flying ASAP to get the hours
 
#36
#36
amazingGRACE said:
737, if you were me would you do the normal progression of getting your ratings, instructing until you hit mins & then find a decent regional?


I actually have a few "ins" with some corporate departments. My mom worked for a company for 25+ years that flies a king air & I know the pilots pretty well. Also know a pretty higher up guy with Dr Pepper/Snapple & he said he probably get me fixed up with their flight department.

Not sure if I should instruct a bit longer & wait out for one of the corporate jobs that I may or may not get. I just don't wanna go to a regional..I've heard horror stories :)
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Yes, I would say go ahead and get the rest of your ratings. If a corporate outfit wants to hire you, take it and run up until you have enough time to go to the airlines. Like I said, you just never know about corporate aviation. Some love it and would never do anything else. Others float from job to job and never know how long they will be there. Any path you take will be taking a chance one way or the other. Airline vs. corporate is just different types of flying. Corporate, depending on who you're with, you may always be on a short leash and NEVER know you're schedule. They might call you at 10 pm and say be ready to go in an hour. There's no refusing or you could get fired. There are some ball buster corporate outfits out there. And for what? If they're not paying that great, why do it? Airlines...you bid for your schedule based on seniority and that's what you get. You know when you'll be flying and know when you'll be home. Only exception is reserve. That's generally the most junior guys at an airline and they sit reserve for a period of time until other guys are hired behind them to fill that and you move up the ladder. If money is a consideration for you, most corporate outfits don't pay that great. The best of the best MIGHT pay six figures. Those are few and far between. UPS, FedEx, Delta, United, American...you will make six figures after a few years. But yes, if there's a job that comes your way that's better than instructing...take it, by all means. Nothing like real world experience. Some regionals are good, some not so much. You just never know, it varies from company to company. The key is that when you get your name in the hat with the majors, you'll already know how the operation works, how the airline biz works, flows, crew coordination, etc..
 
#37
#37
Vol737 said:
Yes, I would say go ahead and get the rest of your ratings. If a corporate outfit wants to hire you, take it and run up until you have enough time to go to the airlines. Like I said, you just never know about corporate aviation. Some love it and would never do anything else. Others float from job to job and never know how long they will be there. Any path you take will be taking a chance one way or the other. Airline vs. corporate is just different types of flying. Corporate, depending on who you're with, you may always be on a short leash and NEVER know you're schedule. They might call you at 10 pm and say be ready to go in an hour. There's no refusing or you could get fired. There are some ball buster corporate outfits out there. And for what? If they're not paying that great, why do it? Airlines...you bid for your schedule based on seniority and that's what you get. You know when you'll be flying and know when you'll be home. Only exception is reserve. That's generally the most junior guys at an airline and they sit reserve for a period of time until other guys are hired behind them to fill that and you move up the ladder. If money is a consideration for you, most corporate outfits don't pay that great. The best of the best MIGHT pay six figures. Those are few and far between. UPS, FedEx, Delta, United, American...you will make six figures after a few years. But yes, if there's a job that comes your way that's better than instructing...take it, by all means. Nothing like real world experience. Some regionals are good, some not so much. You just never know, it varies from company to company. The key is that when you get your name in the hat with the majors, you'll already know how the operation works, how the airline biz works, flows, crew coordination, etc..
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Thanks for all the advice man..it's much appreciated. I'll just have to pay my dues like everyone else & work my way to the top.

I'm guessing you live quite comfortably being at a major for 14 years :)

Who do ya fly for?
 
#38
#38
Lived at home and went to ETSU, but moved to Charlotte for law school. It sucked for a week or so, and then I was good until finals. Lol.
 
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