Hi Roger

[AudreyM-NY-509]

I am an Army wife and have been in the Airline industry since the good old days..LOL..i would love to pursue a career as a pilot, but seeing i am 42 i believe i am way past it!!...also i do not know of any kind of financial help. I know Army spouses get some kind of financial aid.
Thank you for listening!!

[ExpressJet Roger]

Audrey,

So with us since the good old days, Pan-Am? ha ha ha just joking. Well I don’t have to tell you what being a pilot is all about, the long sits, delays and oh yea the short overnights. You could probably tell me a thing or two about that and more, well minus the overnights which you’re not missing much.

As you probably already read, I’m 42 as well. The difference is that I am already at the regionals, and while this part of my journey only took a year to get here you might have to plan on 2 to 3 years. Then to make any real money you have to at least up-grade or go on to main-line. When I first got hired, they were telling us that up-grade would be a year and a half to at best two years before we up-grade. Last week I was talking to my buddy and we don’t see an up-grade in sight, let a lone moving on to main-line. We were half joking of course but right now until those old guys start killing off here I sit.

Now I’m not telling you this to discourage you, far from it. Since I was hired here, I have never been happier. I highly recommend this career to anyone who is 18 to 24. Someone who has the time to put into getting their degree, learn to fly, teach flying, then working their way up to maybe flying a 777 as a captain before they retire. I’m telling you what to expect so that you know what you’re getting into. You should honestly be ready to make no money for the first five years. Then unless something wonderful happens, not plan on progressing past the regional (not that there is anything wrong with that, there are guys at our company that have chosen to stay here and they make good money). Something like that is totally do-able. Hec, you have over 20 years before you have to retire now.

As far as financing goes, I would talk to ATP’s main office. They have a couple of girls there that are way smarter than I am when it comes to that kind of stuff. As far as the military assistance for family members, the girls at the main office would know way more about this stuff as well. I could tell you what I heard, but that would just be hear say and try to avoid doing that all together. Now if you want to know what I think the best route would be to get to where I am now or what pit falls to avoid (especially the ones I found) I’m more than happy to help out.

Go ahead and call the girls and ask them about the financial stuff. I will always be here to help with the other concerns you have about the journey. Really nice meeting you, and look forward to hearing from you soon.