slick1537 Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 What have you guys had to sacrifice since starting your training to become a pilot? I just sold my motorcycle, I love riding so much but frankly its a money pit between tires, insurance, taxes, and gasoline. Needed the money to get a reliable car, but hopefully in 2-3 years I will be able to get a new one. Quote
permison Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 What have you guys had to sacrifice since starting your training to become a pilot? I just sold my motorcycle, I love riding so much but frankly its a money pit between tires, insurance, taxes, and gasoline. Needed the money to get a reliable car, but hopefully in 2-3 years I will be able to get a new one. Heh...I dumped my girlfriend! That alone saved me enough to pay for all my training. Quote
CYGNUS I Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 Hey Slick I sold my house last year and moved in with the girl to finance my training , and I start in two weeks Chuck Quote
Sparker Posted May 15, 2007 Posted May 15, 2007 Thats funny, because I am buying a motorcycle to get better gas milage!!! Quote
slick1537 Posted May 16, 2007 Author Posted May 16, 2007 If you are buying a sportbike don't hope for better gas mileage. You may get it around town, but your urge to crank on it will be strong. Then it sucks through gas. My buddies and I used to go through a tank a day last season. Plus at around $200 a rear tire installed which only last around 5000 miles (maybe thats just a sportbike thing) it negates the price of fuel saved. Quote
mtbman07 Posted May 16, 2007 Posted May 16, 2007 I'm staying in the Marines an extra two years in order to be able to pay it all off and not have any loans when I'm done with school. I'll be free next september and after 5 years now I can almost taste it lol. Quote
Autorotator Posted May 16, 2007 Posted May 16, 2007 I lost a wife, house and, dog. Geez I miss that dog. Quote
Tenacious T Posted May 16, 2007 Posted May 16, 2007 I guess I'm pretty lucky now that I think of it, I haven't had to sacrifice anything big. It's been more of a lot of little sacrifices like trimming as much as possible out of the budget, limiting nights out or restaurant meals to special occasions, no vacations, thinking before I spend money (Do I really need this?). All this is just to compensate for cutting back my work hours to travel to school and train. There will probably be more sacrifice once I start paying my loan back but I'll be making more money by then too so with some hard work and budgeting we'll be ok. No regrets so far, flying has been amazing. Quote
zemogman Posted May 16, 2007 Posted May 16, 2007 Let's see... Some free time...(those afternoons and weekends that were relatively free before are scheduled for training now)Some "tucking in the kids to bed" time...or getting home right when they are about to go to sleep. (I usually train after work)Some financial freedoms...interest on a credit line, watching our spending in general, less toys, etc.Some mental freedoms...studying (again), memorizing information, occasional frustration or confusion.Some exra-time in current position (sometimes leave early to catch a lesson in the afternoon) Darn...why am I doing this again??? So far...it's been worth it...hovering (somewhat...anyways) 4ft. off the ground and knowing that I'm flying this chaotic machine is pretty rewarding...except for that first day of hovering maneuvers...that sucked...that's when I wondered why I'm paying $280 /hr. to get my butt kick by a machine and be miserable...but those are the frustrating days that we must get over...and did get over...might I add! I think constant evaluation is necessary to decide if the sacrifices are worth it to you...for example...I will re-evaluate once I have my PPL. 12 to 15 thousand to get my PPL is worth it to me at this point. My main concern for the future will be supporting a family of 6 with the starting pay (or even "experienced" pay) of a helicopter pilot...absolutely impossible. I have researched and found...to my dismay and disappointment...that helicopter pilots IMO...are severely underpaid in most circumstances for the amazing services they provide in every circumstance. For now...my current career (with God's help) provides for me and my family. I will keep it that way until something bigger and better is available. Hopefully that will be in the helicopter field... It's all about weighing out the pro's and con's...and the sacrifices you are willing to make for the reward... Good thread...and best to ya! Quote
klmmarine Posted May 31, 2007 Posted May 31, 2007 (edited) I am selling my favorite guitar to help cover the cost of my ppl. Oh yeah, not to mention that other career that I liked so much. Edited May 31, 2007 by klmmarine Quote
propwasher Posted June 1, 2007 Posted June 1, 2007 thread creep.......Good idea getting rid of the bike: There are only two kinds of bikers - those that have put her down, and those that are going to. Luckily I lived through my crash. Also - a related thought: I know of two low-time pilots who rode bikes and trained in helicopters. They both rolled the throttle the wrong way at the bottom of an auto, and ruined two perfectly good helicopters. (Sch 269) Possible connection?????????? or just cranial flatulence? Quote
brushfire21 Posted June 1, 2007 Posted June 1, 2007 I am selling the Seadoo, trailer and accy's. After selling it, the money will pay for a good portion of my instrument ticket. With gas getting so damn expensive, and going thru 12-15gal of fuel in an afternoon, along with launching fees, insurance etc, its getting costly to own! Quote
slick1537 Posted June 1, 2007 Author Posted June 1, 2007 propwasher - been there, done that, and a very true statement. When I went to get my flight medical the AME told me something which I had heard before related to motorcycles. There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are NOT old bold pilots. Quote
heligirl03 Posted June 1, 2007 Posted June 1, 2007 Some days I think I've sacrificed my sanity. But as for the typical tally; so far only one boyfriend. I still have my dog (she's got a few hours herself, SIC) and a roof over my head. Luckily I've never made much money so I don't notice a difference with flying! Quote
Gerhardt Posted June 1, 2007 Posted June 1, 2007 Also - a related thought: I know of two low-time pilots who rode bikes and trained in helicopters. They both rolled the throttle the wrong way at the bottom of an auto, and ruined two perfectly good helicopters. The only reason I don't have a bike anymore. I'm amazed at people that can do both. Quote
Fastlane Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 I'm cashing in my sanity, and a 20 year pension for this little 300 CBi. Who's the dummy? Quote
Dragonfly63 Posted June 2, 2007 Posted June 2, 2007 Let's see, 12hr shifts, 6 days a week in 120 degree/80% humidity, living in a 10 x 10 room. Taking 3 minute combat showers to conserve water, which could be cut off at any time, at which point your only allowed to brush your teeth and flush the toilet. After a week of that, there is so much more you will begin to appreciate about life! Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other! Abraham Lincoln Quote
auto360 Posted June 7, 2007 Posted June 7, 2007 Let's see, 12hr shifts, 6 days a week in 120 degree/80% humidity, living in a 10 x 10 room. Taking 3 minute combat showers to conserve water, which could be cut off at any time, at which point your only allowed to brush your teeth and flush the toilet. After a week of that, there is so much more you will begin to appreciate about life! Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other! Abraham Lincoln Ditto what Dragon fly says. We're in the same place saving for the same thing...but he has a room...I stay in a tent.lol Quote
The Mad Bomber Posted June 7, 2007 Posted June 7, 2007 TRYING TO SELL MY WIFE FOR MY PPL FINANCING. DOES THAT COUNT? Quote
permison Posted June 7, 2007 Posted June 7, 2007 TRYING TO SELL MY WIFE FOR MY PPL FINANCING. DOES THAT COUNT? Depends on what she looks like, if she can cook, and her policy on swallowing. Quote
Crusty Old Dude Posted June 12, 2007 Posted June 12, 2007 Depends on what she looks like, if she can cook, and her policy on swallowing. NO you didn't... comon now. Quote
permison Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 NO you didn't...comon now. <_> All said in fun. Hope no one took offense. You know how us pilots can be when we are not flying Quote
Superman Posted June 13, 2007 Posted June 13, 2007 TRYING TO SELL MY WIFE FOR MY PPL FINANCING. DOES THAT COUNT? I tried that a few years back......... Ended up costing me 30k when it was over. Most expensive lesson to date Fly SafeClark Quote
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