Office Job to Pilot Trajectory (& Vice Versa)
Posted by Reasonable-Cash-3467@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 9 comments
Can someone tell me their motivations and story for leaving their office job to become a pilot (and vice versa if it applies)
greetsforteets@reddit
I’m holding the bag for going to an aviation college for all the flight training needed, but graduated without enough resources to immediately continue to the instructor grind (that wasn’t part of the egregious tuition)
But the degree got me into aviation safety contracting, which brings a decent salary and has led to interesting networking opportunities through my work. I’ve visited every major airline HQ, got to sit in various sims, and know great folks that would love to help me get a job with them someday.
But, the student loan situation means I can afford to sacrifice the salary for the hours, and the market has changed since then. I’m in it because I love it, but I am envious of all my college buddies that are at the majors before 30…
Tradezulu@reddit
I love flying, it’s as simple as that.
Worked almost 10 years in an office job and I make in the mid 6 figures but I cannot wait to give that up to get paid to fly.
Money doesn’t buy happiness, it only buys opportunities. I’m grateful to not have to worry about the cost of flight training but at the same time I wish I did this 10 years ago out of university.
PC-12@reddit
There’s nothing like flying. But if you’re used to making 400-600k, I’d suggest living for a month or two on whatever your revised fixed income will be. It is very unlikely you’ll replicate that income in the short or medium term.
I say this having known a few people who made the shift to flying and couldn’t handle the overall income cut, as well as there being no material upside/bonus.
orcajet11@reddit
Speaking from experience with 121 flight ops there’s plenty of people going both ways. We joke everyone in the office wants to go fly the line and everyone on the line wants to fly a desk. Obviously it’s not that simple, but the grass is always greener to an extent.
No_Diver_2133@reddit
Vice versa? Well, there really are not a lot of pilot jobs and being unemployed doesn’t pay the bills.
Lots of people work their normal jobs and build hours/wait for hiring to improve.
Impossible to pay bills as a CFI unless you’re in a 1 and 1000000000 position.
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
Motivation?
Why would anyone need that? Everyone wants to grow up to be an office worker
Reasonable-Cash-3467@reddit (OP)
The only thing stopping me from becoming a pilot is my marriage to Excel
EliteEthos@reddit
Not the loneliness?
https://www.reddit.com/r/flying/s/wYzPQu5BYx
rFlyingTower@reddit
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Can someone tell me their motivations and story for leaving their office job to become a pilot (and vice versa if it applies)
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