AirTran Airways 717

Ever since I have been about 7 years old I have dreamed of being a pilot. But recently I have come to realize how important family would be to me and I'm not sure that I could stand being away from my family so much. I have always had a second interst though: law enforcement. While police officers do not make as much money, I would be able to go home to my family each night. I think I may have to retire my dream of being a pilot and pursue a career in law enforcement. It's kind of a sad thought, but I will never lose my love for aviation. It is not only part of me, it is who I am.

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AirTran Airways 717

.....and now my hobbies have gotten even more expensive collecting not only 1:400 aircraft, but 1:18, 1:24, and 1:64 police cars too!

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dylan

Here is how I read it:

"I've given up on my dream because, at 17, I've figured out all of life's great mysteries. And I'm lazy."

I don't think law enforcement is up your alley. Maybe a barista at Starbucks?

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N787BA

I share the same interests in jobs as you. I like the Medical field as well, that takes money to go to school, and I don't have that right now. I am Type 1 Diabetic so I cannot fly commercially like I always wanted...unless I move to Europe. I have an interest in Law Enforcement as well....I'm still always hoping that maybe by the time I get my PPL American will follow in Europe's footsteps and let T1 Diabetics fly commercially.

I also understand that you wouldn't want to leave your family for so long, but people do that everyday.

Dylan: As for your post...uncalled for.

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dylan

You're correct. My apologies to you and the other pre-teen girls on the forum.

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A Tupolev

Some specialized training involved to be a barista. That might be pushing it.

j.patroni

I'm going to give you this bit of advice -
Happy are those who dream 'dreams' and are willing to pay the price to make that dream a reality .
Right now family schould be the furthest thing from your mind and you schould be concentrating on what you really want to do ,do you really want to be in a position when you are older where you question the choices that you made in haste and regret those choices ?
You want to learn how to fly ? Then get out and do it !

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"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison ?

dylan

When I was 17 years old, I was a senior in high school and I had two things on my mind: Getting laid, and airplanes. Unless you knocked a girl up, what the heck makes a 17 year old suddenly realize the importance of family?

My wife just gave birth to our first child, Lily, on monday. We spent two nights in the hospital, one night at home, then I had a 3-day trip start on thursday that I got back from late last night. And I'm start another 3 day trip on monday. It was damn hard to leave that quick, but I'm not changing careers. We have an excellant support system in place when I'm out of town. And I get a LOT of time home as well.

The reason I waited this long to start a family (I'm 35) is it took me this long to get established. The road to becoming a pilot, getting a job, and making enough damn money to pay the bills is long, hard, and winding. But it is beyond worth it when you get there.

Like Joe said: starting a family should be the FURTHEST thing from your mind right now. Go be a 17 year old and keep chasing your dream.....It's not your dream if you're not chasing it.

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Prestwick Pioneer

Firstly, congratulations on the arrival of a new Hardman.
Secondly - Best. Bit of advice. Ever.

Air Tran, I worked for 10 years in the Pilot Training Industry. I never ever wanted to be a pilot, but I did want to be an Ops Man. And I wanted to work at Prestwick. And I got to do it.
Im still an Ops Man, but now in dispatch/weight and balance and not currently at Prestwick. But I do flights here that are important and that I am good at to the point where no one can touch my experience with some things so get the feck out there and do it. I will leave here I guess when these flights end in a couple of years. Until then they need my experience and passion. If it's money, try gliding or sport aviation to get started. Gain hours, instruct, volunteer, whatever.


N787BA - If you can be employed in Europe with your diabetes, then go for it. The market is a wee bit depressed at the moment, but its just a blip. Things will get better and I think some airlines are recruiting at the moment.

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The Prestwick Pioneer

AirTran Airways 717

I guess what you guys don't understand is that I am not giving up on my dreams! I have also dreamed about being a police officer. And by family I don't necessarily mean a wife and kids. And at 17 I haven't figured out all of life's mysteries, I simply need to pick my college and college major. I honestly feel that I would be happier as a police officer than I would as a pilot.

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AirTran Airways 717

Thanks for actually giving me feedback that I can truly think about and use Dylan. I've always kind of looked up to you on the forum and you are probably the sole reason I started doing my research on any topic on here before I posted. I didn't want to be one of those stereotypical teenagers that everyone gets annoyed with on here. But anyways, there is a college that I have been seriously considering that has a major blending aviation an law enforcement. I know a few pilots and also a few police officers that have gone there and only have positive feedback for it.

And I don't remember who asked, but it's not money that is my barrier. I have about $30,000 saved for college which should pay for about one year. The rest I will just have to work on getting scholarships and student loans for.

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gospodin

I hope you've thought that through really well, and done a lot of research. The idea of being a cop sounds a lot better than the reality (trust me, I've been through it). Being a pilot has a lot of drawbacks, too, and it's not a secure job as Dylan can probably tell you...but gawd, the idea of flying around and getting paid for it, it's pretty cool. Wish I'd gone that route.

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Steve







I've discovered what's wrong with my brain. On the left side there's nothing right, and on the right side there's nothing left.

AirTran Airways 717

I've put so much thought into it.. I have flown a lot and I have also gone on a lot of police ride alongs with my local police department, both pilots and cops say that they wouldn't trade their job for the world. It's not an easy thing for me.

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N787BA

It's all about what you want to do. If I was in your shoes without the Diabetes, I would go Pilot all the way.

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jetbluefan

I will let you decide for yourself but here is what I have to say: Knowing pilots and police officers, I will tell you that being a pilot is A LOT safer than being a police officer... (At least in the area I live in/near)

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Upcoming flights: July 2013 (Delta/Horizon Air, Two 757-200's, One Q400, One A320)

thamesradar

Air Tran Airways 717, like Dylan said, if you choose the pilot route,it is a really long, slow road to getting to the point in your career where you are able to afford a decent lifestyle, family etc...at least 5 to 8 years from the point you qualify commercially...but its worth every bit of it man.

Its worth the hard slog working as a delivery guy or airplane cleaner or flight school desk assistant to get the cash for the flying that you need to get your licence, its worth the hundreds upon hundreds of hours of study, its worth the endless early mornings and late nights and no sleep and different time zones away from home and loved ones and company politics and all the other negatives because only when you can sit on a flight deck watching things most people will never even know are out there, knowing that at the end of the working day you will guide a craft weighing many tons safely to its destination with as little fuss as if you were typing an email,will you feel that very very wonderful sense of happiness that makes it all worthwhile.

There are many, many negatives, don't get me wrong. This industry is incredibly unstable, you do often have to spend long periods away from home, but it really really is worth every bit of it.

Just my bit of advice, hope it helps.

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Heathrow Freak

N787BA

But, the good thing about being a Pilot or a cop, they will always be needed, so you know that you basically should be guaranteed a job after you are all ready to get one.

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fazeman

Congratulations to you and your wife! Oh yeah, the career path in American society...40 years for me to get established, but never felt lead to marry/have kids. Now, where's the cigar.

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Steve

thamesradar

No, not really. Police Officers' jobs are WAY more stable, being part of the public service and therefore employed by the State. Pilots jobs are notoriously precarious, being entirely based upon your 'company number' and if the industry experiences a dip (as there has been the last three years), it is the crew with the least time in company (or highest company number) that get cut. There are thousands of pilots presently out of work worldwide-many with thousands of hours and very good ratings as well as thousands of fresh graduates.

Last year I lost my job of four years as an FO due to the economy, I hung in there though and after 8 months got another,better job, but despite everything, I love this business.

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N. Eberhard

Boy, is there some misinformation here.

Yeah, tell that to all the families who lose their husband, father, son or brother to gun-toting criminals or suicide. Look at the statistics and get back to us on how safe it is to be a cop.

Say what? The only cops employed by the state are the highway patrol/state troopers (and also those who work at the state pen). There are way more cops employed by counties and cities. Besides, have you seen how much tax-payer funded budgets are being cut back on every level across the entire country, and how much that is directly affecting law enforcement employment along with pensions?

Pursue your dreams young man, but don't ever forget that you will be a totally different person in 10 years than you are now, and quite different again another 10 after that. Right now you know less than 1% of the knowledge that is available to make a very informed decision about the rest of your life, so don't try to hurry things up any more than you absolutely have to. I would admonish you to talk to as many people as possible who are already in the careers that you are dreaming of doing someday, because they are the only ones who will honestly talk about the downsides of their careers.

thamesradar

Hey Nick,

Sorry, I was assuming the USA has a similar law enforcement system to over here, where the National Government employs all law enforcement officers.I know what you mean about budget cuts though, quite right you are.

I also agree with you saying that police definitely don't all go home to their families every night...there are many, many police families who have no father/brother/son/daughter as a result of senseless criminals, not to mention the fact you stand just as much chance of being transferred to another city if you're in law enforcement as you have of being sent to another base station if you work for an airline.

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Heathrow Freak

j.patroni

Another avenue you might want to consider is going the military academy route and it's a great way to give back something to your country in the process .
Besides you'll put less hours in as a pilot and make more money than a policeman in the long run.
As for changes in 10 years that is a sure bet ,I remember the days of steam gauges if that gives you any idea as to how long I've been dodging clouds .

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"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison ?

gospodin

I'm not sure if a Type I diabetic can be allowed to enlist in the military.

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Steve







I've discovered what's wrong with my brain. On the left side there's nothing right, and on the right side there's nothing left.

j.patroni

Oops! I must have been reading too fast and missed that .

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"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison ?

AirTran Airways 717

I am not diabetic, that is the other kid posting in this thread. But thanks Nick! I am doing as much research as I possibly can. The only turn off I have for a police officer is all of the paperwork. The gun-toting people aren't really a concern for me... If I get shot and killed on the job, at least I was serving my community/county/state! The reason it is so appealing to me is I want to help people. I love doing that. I don't care who you are or what you've done to me, I would still take a bullet for anyone... I also love the unknown factor in the job. I like the rush you get when you pull someone over and your heart is beating through your chest as you walk up to the vehicle not knowing if it'll be the sweetest person you've ever met, or someone that is about to pull a gun on you. (yes, I do know this feeling already because of all of the ride-alongs I have taken with my local police department). Police officers in my area make around $66,000 annually so it's not terrible pay by any means, but it's not the highest either.

I am still doing my research on both sides of it though guys. I haven't 100% made my decision....

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gospodin

Sorry, I start getting confused when so many people post at once...oh, the voices in my head!

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Steve







I've discovered what's wrong with my brain. On the left side there's nothing right, and on the right side there's nothing left.

gospodin

One thing I would be concerned with about being a cop is personality changes over time. Many police officers experience depression, anxiety, mood swings, apathy and frustration over dealing with scumbags and the lowest tier of human society, along with tragedies and accidents. I think it really takes a certain type of temperment to be able to deal with this kind of life and not let it sour you or make you cynical. It's a tough calling, best of luck to you if this is what you choose to do.

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Steve







I've discovered what's wrong with my brain. On the left side there's nothing right, and on the right side there's nothing left.

Prestwick Pioneer

I am the voice in your head, send your models to Sandy. Send your models to Sandy.

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The Prestwick Pioneer

ANA Mohican

Becoming an officer, you will learn many wonderful things, such as:

• Officers are public's enemy number one. People hate you.
• firefighters are the heroes, not officers.
• you'll see a lot of dead people....in most horrific ways.
• One wrong move and lawyers will be all over you.
• every ticket you write, expect to be challenged.
• you will be spending a lot of time at the court (on your day off too).
• you'll be working 24/7.
• bureaucracy, politics, conspiracy, corruption

...................and on and on.


I used to work for.......

Attached Thumbnails

 

N. Eberhard

Good on you for riding along with the local police, However, $66k is not anywhere near enough coin to risk losing your life over, or risking your mental stability because the scumbags who you run across each day are way, way less important than even 1% as important as your family.

Put your brain and mind to work in a field that has low personal risk, if you do in fact have a family that you care about and that cares about you because society won't give a crap that you took a bullet for them beyond the day of your funeral.

thamesradar

[QUOTE=AirTran Airways 717;976692]The only turn off I have for a police officer is all of the paperwork.QUOTE]

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!! There's a saying in the aviation industry that an aircraft can only take off once the weight of the paperwork equals the weight of the aircraft...just a subtle heads-up. To get a commercial flight in the air, the following typically have to be filled in/signed and read thoroughly by the pilot in command:

-sign on sheet
-acceptance of weather
-acceptance of NOTAMS (Notices to Airmen)
-acknowledgement of Red Tags (safety notices)
-acknowledgement of Yellow Tags (general pertinent info)
-Pre-flight aircraft acceptance forms (detailing handover from Ops/Dispatch to the crew)
-NOTOC (Notice to Captain) acknowledging any special cargo.
-Nav. logs
-Weight and Balance trim sheet
-Passenger manifest
-Fuelling Orders/acceptance
-Flight Folio
-Company DFR (Daily Flight Report)
-TOLD Cards (Takeoff and Landing Data for each leg)

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Heathrow Freak

Prestwick Pioneer

[QUOTE=thamesradar;976746] As a flight dispatcher just about to leave the office to dispatch a 77W, I can confirm this.

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The Prestwick Pioneer

AirTran Airways 717

I wouldn't mind doing that paperwork, now the 4 hours it takes to write up a DUI report... That's not even interesting. Been there...

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WSobchak

Oh wait you're talking about a cop not a pilot. Never mind.

I was lucky enough to spend 4 years at ERAU graduating with a CSMELI.

That was 1991 and also happened to come right at the same time Pan Am, Eastern, and Midway (based in my home town, geez!) all went out of business. Not including America West which only filed for bankruptcy in 1991 but still kept flying.

That was a lot of pilots walking around the streets. I still plugged away at getting my CFI ratings, but getting a job at a flight school was near impossible so I worked sporadically as an independent CFI. The die was pretty much cast for me, however.

When one of my students offered me a job in his company's engineering department along with a steady paycheck it was a no-brainer. Goodbye flying career, but looking back from today I don't have any regrets. There is something to be said for being able to sleep in your own bed every night, but that shouldn't be a deciding factor when you're 17.

I was lucky in that I had some skills to fall back on. My advice for what it's worth: pursue both. You can go to college and get a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement or whatever and get your ratings. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Have a back up plan. A lot is going to change between now and when you graduate college.

thamesradar

I agree WSobchak. When I left school I had a burning passion for aviation but my parents, being quite wise, insisted I go to university before pursuing a career in aviation. I did a law degree (worst five years of my life!) but if anything it just helped me decide 100% that flying is really what I want to do the rest of my working life.

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Heathrow Freak

AirTran Airways 717

Wow, thanks guys for being so helpful with this. And all those comments about police being hated and such I haven't seen much of that... I live in a town of around 20,000 people and a police force of only 24 full time officers. For the most part all of the citizens are pro-law enforcement. We have some cool cops here. But on the other hand, I've never seen the side of the larger cities. I need to ride along with a larger city or Illinois State Police once I turn 18 so I can see the other side of things.

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T7_4ever

Big Congrats to you and your wife! Our first child was also a girl and she's becoming a big airplane fanatic! hee hee! She just turned 3 last month. I wish you and your family all the best with raising your beautiful daughter; have fun when Lily enters the terrible 2's stage (it really is true what parents say about their child when they are 2years old ). Cheers! T7 (jealous of your support system it really helps alot; I tried having my mother help with the baby support for us, but my wife and her just didn't get along, so my mom flew back to British Columbia)

mt8667

There are many other jobs in the aviation indusrty other than pilots. I have always loved aviation and even have some solo time, but while I was in the Navy as an avionics technician I realized that I didn't want to be a pilot--as a career. I moved back to my hometown after the service, returned to being a line service tech at my local airport, then to line supervisor, now 12 years later I am lucky enough to be the prime candidate for replacing our retiring Operations Manager, they are even paying for me to take a few accounting and management classes to prep me. I make decent money, live 4 miles from the airport, am home every night, and will eventually finish my private ticket and still be able to fly. Just remember you can still work in the industry without being a pilot, and still be home every night.

thamesradar

Agreed. You could also look into becoming an Aviation Maintenance Engineer, they get payed quite well and I have a friend who is one and he loves it-lots of very challenging things they have to work on and always different...its an idea!

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Heathrow Freak