What to choose....

[eurodreaming]

Hey guys, I'm 18 years old and just graduated High School. I've known everyone at my International Airport since I was 16. (Flight instructors, Air traffic controllers, mechanics..)

I don't know what I want to do at this point. I flew a Cessna 172 the day before senior year(1 year ago) and it was great, but I don't want to be gone from home too often so being a pilot is out of the question.

I've had a tour of our Controller's tower here at GEG Spokane International Airport. Tracon and all...
It's great, pays great, great schedule, and not too bad with schooling. I never believed anyone about the stress level but I'm starting to. It's not something I want to deal with. Even a NEAR mid air collision would paralyze me.

A while ago I was told about being the manager of an airport(I believe that's what it was) and how great it was because everyday was something new. Anybody know more about this?

I've literally done so much thinking I'm starting to stress out. I don't know what I want to do. I keep thinking about the money(who doesn't want $$?) but that's dumb. I want to come to work and NOT hate it. SOO that mind set constantly takes me back to planes. I love them. My dad worked with the electrical system in fighter jet cockpits back in the day in the army.. so it's always been something I cared about. I don't feel like being a mechanic my entire life.. I'm more of a suit and clean type of guy..

Any ideas? Something with planes that pays GREAT? Working at Boeing? Designing aircraft and improving them? I'm lost.

[Gern_Blanston]

Find something that you really really really like to do. Money is 3rd or 4th on the list of important attributes of a career. Trust me. If you do something you're truly passionate about, the money will come.

[Cabrio60]

Still can't get enough of my airport operations job... in just this last month we've experienced two VIP visits, our FAA certification inspection, an 80 mph derecho windstorm, new Delta mainline service starting soon and the list goes on. Not bad for a non-hub airport! Very dynamic aviation career if that's what you're looking for.

Just to reiterate what Gern had already stated.. you have to love what you do, or why else do it? Find the career that makes you say: "I can't believe they pay me to do this!"

[gr8shandini]

There's a lot of personal factors that go into a decision like this. If your goal is to become a pilot, but just don't want to be on the road all the time, there are flying jobs that can accommodate that. Helo pilots and corporate guys, in particular, spend much more time at their home base than away (I could be wrong, but I get the impression that corporate flying is a lot of out and backs. Some of you corporate guys back me up here).

If that's not your bag and you're good at math and science, engineering can be interesting. I work in flight test and have gotten hands-on experience with everything from helos and tilt-rotors, to bizjets, to fighters, and even the C-5. Gotten to ride in most of them, too. I even got a fair amount of stick time on a couple of programs. Of course, that also means that I've had to live in some pretty desolate places over the last 15 years, so that can be a factor.

One thing I would warn against in engineering is thinking you're going to design an airplane. There's only a few dozen people in the world that do clean-sheet designs. Most design engineers spend most of their time figuring out how to route hydraulic lines and looking up what kind of sealant should go under a panel. It's important work and some people love it, but you have to be a real "nuts and bolts" kind of person.

If you want to be a mechanic or work in ATC, and have the temperament, I'd suggest checking out the Air Force. Chances are, you won't end up directly in harm's way and you get to see the world and get paid while learning either skill. It's also not for a lot of folks (myself included). Getting an A&P on your own isn't a bad deal. It'll cost $20 - 30,000 and 18 months of your life, but you'll make decent money especially if you like to work overtime.

Oh, and if you want GREAT pay, get a business degree and become a banker. As an engineer, I make a comfortable living, but I wouldn't call myself "rich". Our test pilots make a little more than me, but most commercial pilots make much less. Mechanics can clear 6 figures, but they have to work their butts off to do it. And ATC pays crap.

Good luck, and if you want to know anything more about engineering, feel free to PM me.

[joness0154]

I'm in airport planning/consulting. In particular, I deal with a lot of physical aspects of airports. Here's a quick sample:

Runway/Taxiway/Apron Design
Terminal & Facility Layouts
Airspace Design
Airfield Simulation (Delay, Noise, etc)
Airport Operational Issues (NLA MOS applications, 139/Cert issues, special event planning, etc)

I could type forever. A decent amount of travel, lots of interaction with pilots, controllers, airport managers, etc. It's an awesome job and pays great!

[B3sat16v]

Helo corporate pilots and corporate guys, in particular, spend much more time at their home base than away (I could be wrong, but I get the impression that corporate flying is a lot of out and backs. Some of you corporate guys back me up here).

One thing I would warn against in engineering is thinking you're going to design an airplane. There's only a few dozen people in the world that do clean-sheet designs. Most design engineers spend most of their time figuring out how to route hydraulic lines and looking up what kind of sealant should go under a panel. It's important work and some people love it, but you have to be a real "nuts and bolts" kind of person.

As for the Helo comment, sure if you are civilian or flying corporate. Military Helo guy are gone a lot.

The second paragraph is spot on. Design is the type of beast that in large scale, you are only doing small parts and once you start to travel up the ladder you become more of a Project Manager than anything else. Good money with a good company and it tends to be rewarding; however to get a design position with Boeing you need good connections and at least a Masters Degree in Engineering.

[eurodreaming]

Still can't get enough of my airport operations job...

Cabrio I just remembered YOU'RE the guy I talked to a WHILE back about that. I'd love to know more if you could shoot me a PM?

One thing I would warn against in engineering is thinking you're going to design an airplane.

And ATC pays crap.

There's the problem.. That's why engineering wouldn't be great for me. ATC pays crap? Since when!?

I'm in airport planning/consulting. In particular, I deal with a lot of physical aspects of airports.

Please PM me with more info? Sounds exactly like something I'd like.

[87vr6]

Hey guys, I'm 18 years old I don't want to be gone from home too often so being a pilot is out of the question.

Why not? Don't be afraid to leave mom and dad. Seriously. You should be going as far away from home as possible. Broaden your horizons. I get it, you're 18. I probably thought the same thing when I was 18 (now 31). Hell, I know I though the same thing because I'm from MD and when I joined the USMC, I requested east coast so I could be stationed somewhat close to home.

Now I really wish I wouldn't have. There's so much to see in the world. So if you can find a job that you will enjoy and you get to see lots of places, do it. Don't look back.

[eurodreaming]

Why not? Don't be afraid to leave mom and dad. Seriously. You should be going as far away from home as possible. Broaden your horizons. I get it, you're 18. I probably thought the same thing when I was 18 (now 31). Hell, I know I though the same thing because I'm from MD and when I joined the USMC, I requested east coast so I could be stationed somewhat close to home.

Now I really wish I wouldn't have. There's so much to see in the world. So if you can find a job that you will enjoy and you get to see lots of places, do it. Don't look back.

I completely understand. What I meant was in general. Once I have my own family and all. I know this girl I went to school with and after we had a normal conversation I was informed that her dad is a FedEx pilot.. I was like.. lol.. She says he's rarely home.

When I got the tour of the control tower, we even talked about that. The controller was telling me how he loved his job and his great schedule, while his friend was out flying and struggling because he had a kid on the way, and he couldn't be there for his wife. It's things like that.

[Gern_Blanston]

It can be tough, but when you're cruising serenely past the Eiffel Tower at sunset on approach into Le Bourget, with your wife sitting on the jump seat, looking forward to a week in Paris before you blast off for a few days in Zurich, or you're standing knee-deep in the warm Pacific in Maui with your 13-year-old daughter because you 'had to fly to the company convention', it's pretty cool.

[eurodreaming]

It can be tough, but when you're cruising serenely past the Eiffel Tower at sunset on approach into Le Bourget, with your wife sitting on the jump seat, looking forward to a week in Paris before you blast off for a few days in Zurich, or you're standing knee-deep in the warm Pacific in Maui with your 13-year-old daughter because you 'had to fly to the company convention', it's pretty cool.

Hahaha seems like you found a loop in the system I've never heard of it being so lenient.

[gr8shandini]

... ATC pays crap? Since when!? . . .

I stand corrected. I checked the BLS stats and it looks like controllers get paid a lot more than I had heard. Median salary is $108,000. I don't know how much overtime is involved in that figure, though.

[joness0154]

I stand corrected. I checked the BLS stats and it looks like controllers get paid a lot more than I had heard. Median salary is $108,000. I don't know how much overtime is involved in that figure, though.

That's because there's an A & B payscale now.

The new hires get the ****ty payscale, while the older controllers are on the older (and higher paying) payscale.

[Gern_Blanston]

That's because there's an A & B payscale now.

The new hires get the ****ty payscale, while the older controllers are on the older (and higher paying) payscale.

The Fed controllers still do pretty well though. The contract towers are a little lighter, but the FAA guys and gals are doing OK, even on the 'B' scale.

[hamilton6t9]

The Fed controllers still do pretty well though. The contract towers are a little lighter, but the FAA guys and gals are doing OK, even on the 'B' scale.

Im "B"scale and not compaining

[joness0154]

The Fed controllers still do pretty well though. The contract towers are a little lighter, but the FAA guys and gals are doing OK, even on the 'B' scale.

I still think its low for a job that requires retirement after 25 years in or at age 56. They also have a very unique skill set which makes it tough to go do anything else afterwards, especially at that age.

That was one of the biggest reason I chose to avoid it. I think the FAA screwed the pooch on that one, and are losing out on some great candidates because of it.

[Gern_Blanston]

I still think its low for a job that requires retirement after 25 years in or at age 56.

Interesting outlook. Retiring at 56 wouldn't bother me a bit (and FAA retirement ain't bad at all. Also, I have a small side business, plus enough smarts that I could do a lot of stuff afterwards, even at that age.

...They also have a very unique skill set which makes it tough to go do anything else afterwards, especially at that age.

Take a look at my job... Talk about a unique skill set.
I'm typed and flying in an airplane of which there are only 180 on the planet, so I know all about unique skill sets and the problems that go along with them.

[joness0154]

Interesting outlook. Retiring at 56 wouldn't bother me a bit (and FAA retirement ain't bad at all. Also, I have a small side business, plus enough smarts that I could do a lot of stuff afterwards, even at that age.

Take a look at my job... Talk about a unique skill set.
I'm typed and flying in an airplane of which there are only 180 on the planet, so I know all about unique skill sets and the problems that go along with them.

High end auto dealership?

[Gern_Blanston]

High end auto dealership?

How'd you know?!?

[DonL]

So you want to be an air traffc controllr, eh?

[Slider388]

When I was in OP's place I knew I had to get into aviation, and I decided to go the mechanic route to start. Now I'm 18, I'll be graduating with my two year associates degree in four months and of course, after the 18 hrs of written, oral, and practical tests, my faa A&P certificate. I love a&p school, met some really good friends and had a great time. Classes are a lot of fun and I'm interested in everything. I'm planning on getting My aircraft electronics technician certification in the next few months too, then its on to my private pilots certificate and building myself a homebuilt or two. After that I'll have to decide what I really wanna do.

[eurodreaming]

Thanks for all your help guys. I appreciate the input!

[Smoky_Llama]

Have you completely ruled out Military? I'm USAF and I know a few guys in airfield operations that dig it pretty well. Do 4 years, have a place to live, food to eat and get some decent travel opportunities if you're lucky. Worst that could come of it is you get a new experience and have college paid for. Just another option as I understand the Military isn't for everyone, I should know, I haven't worked out for more than 30 minutes in my life and sit around looking at pictures of Volkswagens all day and I'm doing just fine with my ass on a beach.