Shhh, Ernie might be selling the Cobra

Excaliber · #1 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 01:56 AM

Very low key sale, considering my options for a LOCAL sale. Don't tell anyone...

Just thought you 'Lounge Lizards' (well, turtles too) might like to know.

Whats next? Who knows!

fsstnotch · #2 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 03:01 AM

I'll go ahead and ask the question I'm sure everyone else will want to know....

Why?

Excaliber · #3 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 03:50 AM

Frankly, I could use the money as I seriously consider possible retirement scenarios.

fsstnotch · #4 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 04:27 AM

That sounds like a good enough reason for me!

Ron61 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 04:53 AM

Now I will ask the next question. Just how well off do you want to be in retirement and what are you going to ask for it? Wish I could get one again, but in this state that is not possible. Hope that whatever you decide it all works out great for you. Are you then going to join the OLD GUY'S ranks?

Ron

HI Cobra · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 11:29 AM

Watch out Ernie - I read this thread! No worries - your car, you can put the
word out. You looking for a nice Jag to redo - I know someone who will
give one away free.

Excaliber · #7 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 11:40 AM

Bryan called me within HOURS of seeing it was for sale, I couldn't believe how fast the 'coconut wireless' works. I'll pass on the Jaguar, but it do sound interesting. I'm still deeply involved with the Austin Healey these days.

Jamo · #8 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 01:06 PM

WTF!!!???

You wanna buy a bigger scooter?

You throwing in shipping to the mainland?

Should we start kicking you in the nuts again?

Excaliber · #9 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 01:20 PM

This is a VERY low key LOCAL only type of sale. If it does, fine, if it doesn't, thats OK too. My son's mother is a Professor in Ohio, his college Edu was supposed to be free as a result. But no, he wants to go get a commercial pilots license and THAT college major is NOT covered. Gotta do something to cover the enormous expenses (short of selling the house and moving to the mainland).

...maybe I'll take a second job, man I'm to old for this...

Allan A · #10 (**permalink**) 10-09-2007, 10:17 PM

Happy to inspect and test drive for any buyers.

Madmiles442 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 12:53 PM

I can't imagine retiring WITHOUT the Cobra...

Ron61 · #12 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 01:10 PM

Miles,

Believe me it is hard. I had to sell mine and I miss it more than I could ever have believed. I kept telling myself it is just a car but that just don't work.

Ron

Excaliber · #13 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 01:54 PM

So heres the fundamental question:
Does it really pay to send your kid to college?

In my case I never planned on having to pay 'much' because in theory his college edu was covered through his mothers employer, well that didn't work out as planned!

He's wanted to fly since a young age. We considered ROTC or a military career to meet those goals. Bush and Iraq have doomed any 'military' options, that aint gonna happen. Student loans? Let HIM carry that burden. Classic college (paid for by empoyer) and forget about flying until HE can pony up the money? Sell my house and move to the mainland, which would easily fund college? Gasp, I don't wanna move.

Tapping into retirement funds? Not a chance!

Whats a father to do? I sure love my boy and want the best for him, and flying meets that criteria. Four year business degree with a commercial pilots license along the way in year two. Not a bad plan, well, except for that nagging 'funding issue'...

Ron61 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 02:46 PM

Ernie,

Could he get his regular degree on his Mother's set up and then just have to pay for the school to get his pilot's license? To get a commercial license won't he have to go to a flying school? To bad the airlines are in such trouble as they used to take in trainees and send them to school, but now they don't do that I don't think. And they have a glut of former military pilots already on their waiting lists. A piolit6 for American Airlines who flies out of Portland was down to visit me a few years ago and even back then he said that they were cutting back so much he was lucky he had so much seniority.

Ron

Excaliber · #15 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 03:07 PM

Some of the college expense is covered under his mother, it's the flying part (seat time especially) that really wracks up the expenses.

Looking at the trend down the road in the next 4 to 5 years projections indicate a need for pilots at that time. A lot of pilots are retiring in that time frame and not many young people are entering the field. Airlines used to rely on the military, but for some reason, there not so keen on military pilots these days. Not sure whats up with that. In fact my son is easily the youngest in his class and about the only one who plans to do the entire four year program (wouldn't surprise me if he continues on to graduate school like his mother did).

767Jockey · #16 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 04:16 PM

Ernie,
PM me, I fly for a living. Make sure you know what your son is getting into. Flying for a living isn't what it used to be. The so called "pilot shortage", if in fact it happens, will likely be in the commuter ranks, where Co Pilots earn about 20K per year, and if they're fortunate enough to move up to Captain will top out at a whopping 60 - 80K per year, maybe. Not to mention the fact that those guys are rode hard and put away wet - it's a miserable lifestyle they lead. Think about it - if it's such a great way to make a living would there be a shortage of guys lined up to do it? I got into the game when it was still a good way to make a living, now that it's gone to the dogs it's too late to get out, it's all I really know how to do.

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 04:58 PM

I hear that Jockey! I have no illusions about if he will even be able to SUPPORT himself down the road.

Thats why I think a graduate degree, something related to flying, is where he's really going to end up. I have several pilot friends, when it's good it's great. But as you've said, they been rode hard and put away wet and in the end, it aint so great. One flies for DHL, literally been an 'up and down' career, currently fighting them through the Union to get back in the air. Another settled for flight school Instructor after working at McD's for about a year!! At McD's I tell ya, DAM!! He doesn't know any other trade. I've encouraged my son to get some 'alternate' training along the way. Could be worse, he could be an 'Art' student...

Silverback51 · #18 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Ernie,
PM me, I fly for a living. Make sure you know what your son is getting into. Flying for a living isn't what it used to be. The so called "pilot shortage", if in fact it happens, will likely be in the commuter ranks, where Co Pilots earn about 20K per year, and if they're fortunate enough to move up to Captain will top out at a whopping 60 - 80K per year, maybe. Not to mention the fact that those guys are rode hard and put away wet - it's a miserable lifestyle they lead. Think about it - if it's such a great way to make a living would there be a shortage of guys lined up to do it? I got into the game when it was still a good way to make a living, now that it's gone to the dogs it's too late to get out, it's all I really know how to do.

My brother-in-law is a pilot for Continental and his story is the same as yours. He retires in two years if I remember right and he can't wait.

wtm442 · #19 (**permalink**) 10-10-2007, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madmiles442

I can't imagine retiring WITHOUT the Cobra...

Absolutelypositively correctamundo. I also go flying in my Cobra without a pilots license.

Who wants to go fishing and play golf every day!

Ron61 · #20 (**permalink**) 10-11-2007, 04:25 AM

Warren,

In another 100 years when you grow up and become an adult you will understand that there is actually more important things in this world than cars of any kind. I didn't think I could live without my car either and at times it is really hard, but I would rather have my health back.

Ron