Introduction

[TimothyC-FL-708]

Roger,

I just got off the phone with Erik at ATP and was told that you are my "coach". OK, that sounds wonderful but I don't exactly know what that means.

About me, I have 12 years military experience (4 Navy, 8 Coast Guard). I have 0 flight time and have only ridden on planes. I am 46 years old (47 in September). I did have an opportunity to fly a Navy S-3 in a simulator and completely enjoyed it (even trying to land on an aircraft carrier - needless to say, it was a crash & burn! LOL After being Honorably discharged from the Coast Guard, I became a police officer and was the 1st motorcycle police officer for the department, and after that, a dispatcher. Ever since I can remember, I have really wanted to be a pilot. My father-in-law is the mechanic for St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Helicopter (AIR-1). I took the offer to fly with him and the Sheriff's Office pilot and all I can say is I want more! I want to fly.

Being currently unemployed, Erik's advisement of the 5 month course seems to be the best route for me. I know that I am "smart" enough to complete the class, as I was a Navy diver and had to learn more than just get the equipment on and get in the water.

I am currently married with no children with this marriage (marriage #4). However, I do have 2 children from wife #2 & #3 (one from each). I live in Palm Coast, FL approximately 1/2 hour from Daytona.

I look forward to hearing from you. If it is easier for you to contact me by phone, (H) 386-437-3093/(cell) 386-793-6239.

[ExpressJet Roger]

Tim,

Welcome on board, it is nice to have you join us. As far as what a coach does, I will be here to help you find answers and give you my advice. As I am sure, you have many questions regarding the business of aviation. See I too fell in love with flying however as I found out, flying is such a small part of this industry. I and all the other coaches here at ATP thought that it would not only give you insight as to what you’re getting into but also bring us pleasure by helping new guys achieve their dreams, but more importantly I want to make sure that they understand that the dream they have also includes some realities. This way when they get to where I am they are truly happy because they knew what they were getting into right from the start.

So please don’t be afraid to ask me any questions or concerns you may have regarding aviation. I will always do my best to give you an honest and truthful answer.

[TimothyC-FL-708]

Roger,

Thanks for answering so quickly....alot of my concerns and questions come to the actual training and cost of the training. Erik told me about Sally Mae financing. But to go into an additional $70,000 + in debt is a scary thought. And, seriously, with the price of fuel these days, are there really vacancies in the aviation world for pilots? With some advance timing, I am able to move to where a job might be, but that debt has me really second guessing becoming a pilot. Sadly, my wife was just diagonsed with severe arthritis, bercitus (sp?) and osteoartritis on her entire right side, and her doctor has put her as "disabled", so her pay is no longer coming into the household (she does have insurance for 80% of her pay). Can you explain the 12 month course (as I am probably going to have to work and train at the same time). Any suggestions? Do you know of any grants available for continuing education?

What do I have to look forward to as a new graduate of the school? Is the pilot field "wide open" or is it like everything else in the US - (It's who you know, not what you know).

Can you shortly explain what training is like? What is a typical day in the "classroom"?

Thanks for your time and input, I sincerly appreciate it.

Tim

[ExpressJet Roger]

Tim, it is no problem. I try to get back to everyone as soon as possible. I generally only get on line while at home. You can always check where I am at by going onto my schedule and seeing if I’m on a trip or not.

Going into debt is always scary, especially when you have a loved one at home or worse; when that loved one is counting on your income to stay healthy.

Well there is no refuting the fact that there is a slow down in the economy and particular the rising fuel cost have both caused the airline industry to pull back and reduce flights. This means that they will be needing less pilots.

Now let’s not beat around the bush, if you were a 21 year old single kid, I would not hesitate to point out that the airline industry is a cyclical industry were they hire until they fire and they fire until they hire. Where the most important thing is to continue to stay positive and fly. Because in this industry it is the attitude and hours that provide you with the greatest satisfaction and make you marketable in the future, plus lets not forget that until you get to that job where you want to hang your hat, changing jobs and picking up and moving from location to location has to be an option you can exercise.

Ok, so where does that leave a 45 year old married man? Well that depends on you. Yes there are still a lot of jobs out there. Are they where you want to leave? Will it be at a pay that you will be happy with? Is it going to give you the time off you desire to take care of your wife? These are questions that you will have to ask yourself. I will tell you this, you have 20 years of flight time and during that time you could potentially land that job were you’re in the left seat of a 777 or A340 working 12 days a month making six figures but you will have to go through years of tough times to get there and it will not be easy. There will be times when not only everyone around you be questioning your decision to keep flying but you will begin asking yourself the same questions. The only thing I can say is that when your hands are on the controls and you just fought your way through some really bad storms to the final approach fix then to land the plane with such grace that even a 10 year captain turns to you and tells you how great of a job you did, that is when you know you choose the right career.