JF48

While searching through these forums, to me, it always seems that pilots are complaining about their job, low pay, the industry, ect.


As an aspiring pilot, to me, hearing these things about the field I hope to get into is not very reassuring. Are there any success stories out there? Any at all?

One day I hope to have a wife and kids, and be able to provide for and spend time with them. From what I've read being a pilot consists of living in an apartment with five other guys, eating only top ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and still not being able to make ends meet. Is this really what I'd have to look forward to if I decide to follow my dream?

Is there anyone who has a successful family and is able to provide for them on a pilot's salary? If there are, I'd love to hear the story about how you got to where you are in life.

I'm starting to have second thoughts about flying after hearing how horrible things really are for pilots.

POPA

Must be nice to be able to afford three meals a day...

vagabond

You, my young friend, despair too easily. One of your very first posts talked about how flying is a life dream of yours. And you are only 18 years old. There is a long road ahead of you and my advice is to enjoy life while never losing sight of your dream. Nobody knows what the future holds, but we can certainly control our perspective of it. I choose to be happy and positive, and I am not about to let a few negative posts on an anonymous internet forum sway me otherwise.

For every person posting something horrible, I can assure you there are five others who are having the time of their life flying. They are too busy having fun to come here and enlighten the rest of us as to how bad their day was. As in any profession, reward and success will come to those who persevere and work hard at achieving something.

So, go to college, meet some girls, get a job to pay for flight lessons. We have seen many wannabes on the board move on to bigger and better things. If they can do it, you can, too! You can trust me on that.

usmc-sgt

Like me!

....if you consider a dash 8 bigger and better things

Planespotta

Vagabond, I really like your attitude, and I have also thought before about how many airline pilots must be so happy with their jobs that they don't feel the need to post on forums about it If there were fewer stories of success than there were of failure, there wouldn't be many airline pilots . . . and, if everyone listened to Skyhigh, there wouldn't be any airline pilots

JF48, I'm almost 18, and I've been through so much opposition to my dream career that it's not even funny. Parents, family and relatives, teachers ("You want to be a pilot!!??!?"), and I'm still trucking along. Whenever someone tries to mention something negative to me about the career/industry/etc., I ignore it 99% of the time (not because I don't care, but because I've already heard it and realized that it comes with the package). In the end, I'm shamelessly in love with aviation and proud to admit it. Someone on these forums once said that all that matters in life is that you impress the man in the mirror. Don't let Ramen or anybody on these forums stop you.

. . . plus, many of the pilots talk about the negative aspects of the career facetiously.

FlyerJosh

Like anything in life, there are ups and downs (pun intended) to aviation. I know plenty of pilots who have perservered through the tough times and enjoyed the good times. 95% of them are still flying. Many of them (including myself) are married and enjoy family life.

Have a realistic expectation about what you do, and you'll have gotten over the first hurdle. Most people who complain are the same ones who have misconceptions of the glamour and greatness of the job. Is flying for a living great? Definitely. Is it still a job that sometimes will drive you crazy? You'd better believe it!

Learn about the profession, keep and upbeat and positive attitude, and make contacts with folks inside that can mentor and help you with career decisions and questions along the way, and you'll be well on your way to a good career in aviation.

Slice

The early years in this career, while fun can be tough financially. I think it's best for single guys with little to no debt. If you can hold off getting married till at a major it's probably the easiest since you'll remain mobile and flexible in doing what it takes to achieve your ultimate goal. It can be done with a wife/kids but it definitely makes it harder and influences your decisions(as it should). I can tell you that when/if you make it that it's worth it(to me anyway). However, ultimately, at the end of the day it's a job and a way to make a living. Don't get caught up too much in the perceived nostalgia.

Planespotta

Just wondering, what do you mean by the "perceived nostalgia?"

Also, if you only think of your job as a job, will you enjoy your professional life very much? If so, how?

When I'm an airline pilot, it's not just going to be a job; it'll be my dream come true -- my life's goal. Regarding it solely as a source of income wouldn't be enough.

Ewfflyer

Success is measured by an individual's perception. I personally feel successful. No I'm not flying big iron, or even anything above 12,500lbs, but I'm with a great company, with benefits, and the pay isn't bad at all for what I do. Hours are great, and the people here are proud of the work they do.

My path included:
-4-yr degree/aviation program
-Flight instructed 1.5yrs, built 1000hrs, made decent money
-Flew 135 freight for 20 months in C-310's, built 2000hrs, and also the pay wasn't bad at all. Got married during this time
-Current company I fly everything, mainly Pipers and TBM's, as that is what we sell, but also anything our maintenance and avionics shops work on. Lots of fun, especially the TBM's!

Luckydawg

JF,

For me the best times in this career and life in general is when I've lived in the moment. Many, many times I did compare myself to others and their career. You hear stories of guys making it big young in their career while others struggle along from $hit job to $**** job. It's really truly about what you make of it. Enjoy the ride along the way at every juncture. Put 100 % into whatever you are doing at all times. Enjoy today, learn from yesterday and plan for the future but don't live there as you will miss the moment.

Enjoy learning new airplanes, instructing methods, weather, how to work with others, etc. If you want to explore a facet of this industry such as flying the bush in Alaska or missionary work in Africa, do it now. You probably will not enjoy a standard of living of that of friends of other industries. You know that now, take it into consideration. It will change for you but probably not for many years of struggle.