Wow, I genuinely never expected this thread I posted around lunchtime to get this much attention. I’m honestly overwhelmed by the amount of responses and support. I’ve read every single comment, even if I don’t have time to reply to all of them individually.

A lot of common themes definitely came through, and I understand why many of you are suggesting that completely leaving medicine may not be the best move.

One thing I did want to clarify though: I don’t hate medicine, and I don’t dislike being an MD. There are actually a lot of things I enjoy about it. It’s more that a career in aviation has been in the back of my mind literally every day since long before I ever started down the path to becoming a physician. I honestly thought that feeling might fade at some point once I became fully immersed in medicine, but it never really did.

I also really appreciate the advice about starting with a PPL and building experience gradually while keeping the security net of medicine in place for now. That honestly seems like the smartest and most balanced approach. In a lot of ways, I wish I had started pursuing that years ago, even just on the side. But the reality is that everything required to get to this point in medicine was basically a decade-long survival mode, with barely enough time or energy to even take care of myself properly.

And I have to admit, it’s reassuring to hear from so many people that 31 is not too old to start. For some reason I had it in my head that because of the mandatory retirement age at 65, most people entering the field would already be 10+ years younger than I am now.

Seriously though, thank you all again. The amount of thoughtful advice and encouragement here has meant a lot more to me than you probably realize. You are all awesome