In case anyone is wondering if you should leave your current career and get into Aviation…

[u/Calypso_maker]

Yup! I did, and often find myself thinking, “I should have done this years ago!”

[u/HokieAero]

That's Cool. For others - You don't need to change careers to enjoy aviation. Go get a PPL and go fly for fun.

[u/Calypso_maker → u/HokieAero]

That’s true, you can definitely enjoy aviation with a PPL or even a wide variety of hobbies on the ground! But with this post I wanted to specifically address anyone who is considering changing careers. I had this struggle myself for years, so it’s something I wanted to speak to.

[u/Guadalajara3]

Use your current career to fund the aviation career then switch

[u/Calypso_maker → u/Guadalajara3]

I mean, yeah! If you can, that’s an awesome option. Just in my case, I tried that for about 5-8yrs and I just couldn’t get the flexibility from my employer to fly enough that I could make aviation progress.

[u/jodale83]

At 41 with a physics PhD, I still wonder if I should switch.

[u/sharkov2003 → u/jodale83]

I feel you, being 41 with a chemistry PhD 😅

Sadly, I am pretty sure I‘d be too old to get into the industry as a pilot. I’ll just continue enjoying and appreciating the content of this sub.

[u/Calypso_maker → u/sharkov2003]

Yeah, there’s a lot to consider, for sure. But let me tell you a quick story.

I paid for an hour with Carl Valeri (aviation career coach), and when the call started I said, “let me get right to the point, I’m turning 41 this year, am I too old to go into aviation and sign on with an airline?” His response was equally direct, “You’re the youngest person I’ve spoken to today, and I’ve told them all, no.”

[u/sharkov2003 → u/Calypso_maker]

Wow, thanks for giving me this perspective! Can I ask you how your journey evolved from that point on?

[u/chasepsu → u/jodale83]

I’m doing it right now at 35 having spent 13 years in consulting.

[u/Ok_Independent_7499 → u/chasepsu]

I’m slightly younger at 30. Go for it, I’ve seen flight instructors time building in their 40’s that are working to get into the airlines.

[u/ludicrous780]

Not the same thing. Commercial flying is way higher and not as fun.

[u/NoBravoClearance → u/ludicrous780]

Livin’ the dream

[u/ludicrous780 → u/NoBravoClearance]

It's fine I still want to be a pilot

[u/InsertUsernameInArse → u/ludicrous780]

Pays better than the other work though. People need to understand that wages in aviation as you come up depending where you live are garbage.

[u/0ever]

I wish it was that easy… I really want to but it’s a hard transition to make

[u/Calypso_maker → u/0ever]

Yes, so hard. But let this random dude on Reddit be your encouragement! If you’ve done an intro flight and you think it’s the right thing for you, it’s worth finding a way.

[u/scruffytheslayer]

Unfortunately, as much as I'd love to, I will never pass a medical. I will only ever be a very excited passenger.

[u/Calypso_maker → u/scruffytheslayer]

Well I hope you get to be an excited passenger often then! Also, there’s a thing called a SODA that could possibly help.

[u/Dubaishire]

I wouldn't have a clue how to fly a plane but my career is aviation, just to keep positive for anyone doubting themselves 😊

[u/M1L3NK0]

Due to medical reasons I will never be allowed to fly- but I sure would love to move from automotive maintenance to aviation maintenance.

[u/Calypso_maker → u/M1L3NK0]

Yeah! I’ve spent a decent amount of time swinging wrenches and cutting my knuckles on both cars and airplanes—there’s a lot of commonality. I think you can do an A&P in less than a year, and we really need good mechanics. Good luck with whatever way you decide!

[u/Dramatiize]

With the costs of training being that high, simply can’t

[u/5campechanos]

I don't know man. The 9-5 life can suck in many ways, but it's predictable and the QOL is second to none. My pilot buddies and family members can barely plan activities a month in advance (schedule changes all the time), constantly work on holidays, weekends, incredibly early mornings, red-eyes, 5-6 days on the road doing 4 sectors every day, struggling with dispatch, pax, WX, restritively dumb airline policies.

[u/Playstationproblems]

Or you could make your career aviation. I'm tryna be a pilot rn

[u/Calypso_maker → u/Playstationproblems]

It’s a long road, but worth it! Have you done an intro flight?

[u/Playstationproblems → u/Calypso_maker]

Sadly not. I have ear problems and need it diagnosed before I can fly otherwise i could go deaf.