skylover

I see.

I understand that a little over $20K the first year and a bit over $30K the second year is not a lot any way you slice it; maybe it will increase a little before I would join the workforce. But I think if you begin with a regional realizing this, it's certainly possible to make do, especially if one is young and single, and you try to work as much as possible.

USMCFLYR

Sounds like you two are telling the OP the same thing.
Most on here are pushing the same message.
Some on here do NOT want him to have both sides of the story.

USMCFLYR

skylover

I've heard the negatives; now, are there any specific positives to the profession that may not be obvious at first glance?

AZFlyer

You'll get a pretty sweet collection of Hotel toiletry items.

jungle

Well, as already mentioned, you can really cut your soap and minor toiletries bill especially if you like those tiny samples.

I have known lots of Lawyers, Doctors, Academics, Accountants and various others in many professions. They all have their problems and they all have their complaints, something that some don't seem to be aware of here. We are pilot-centric and don't seem to understand that other jobs come with their own set of problems.

So, on to the positives, I have flown military, 91, 135 and 121. All have their good points and bad. The ideal is to enjoy your work, but understand that no matter how enticing; work is not its own reward. Although I did have someone tell me they thought I would find the work to be its own reward in an interview once-a good thing they couldn't tell what I was thinking at the time.

The best part of being a pilot is that the work is fairly easy, clean, interesting, enjoyable and you don't have to be in the same place for eight hours every working day. Most of your co-workers will be like minded and interesting folk of many and varied interests and you won't be working with them for five or ten years at a stretch.

You will see a lot of the country or the world, and even more beautiful-see the many moods of the sky and oceans. If you have a nice job, the pay is good and you will almost never work more than twelve days a month.

It is one of the great ironies of this job that the most dangerous and demanding flying pays much less than the easiest and least demanding, so you may have something to look forward to as you get older.

In all, many consider it to be more of a sport or a part time hobby that pays well yet does not consume all of their time. Some may scoff at this and proclaim they are true professionals-but sometimes the enthusiasim of the gifted amateur is far more pleasing than that of the hard nosed pro.
Has anyone seen a professional at living life?

Jughead

Yep. Naive, young dreamer, but just a little friendly advice: please stop telling the world that you'll fly for free.

We all like to fly - that's why we all started this in the first place. I really can't think of a single person I've worked with who hates flying. But free isn't an option, ever.

crewdawg

Yes. I also, work with many guys (in the Guard) who are married with kids that are extremely happy, in their Airline jobs. They are home > half the month and all make 85-100k+...most are fairly junior at their airline.

Hey...don't be knocking mustache march. Nothing says, I'm a pilot like a amazing patch of hair gracing the upper lip!

Case in Point!


HMP: I'm not totally knocking you, because I think the negatives need to be heard. You just paint such a doom and gloom picture and that's not necessarily true for everyone. A little less "you're an idiot, don't come here, this is the worst career possible," and a little more facts...like below.

Great Post!

OP: I'm not sure of you age or what your plans are but have looking into the cost of attaining all your ratings? Have you considered joining the Air Guard/Reserves? I was able to get my degree and up thru my CFII and finished school with zero debt! That was because of all the benefits I was provided + working a few jobs. I never missed any school that I didn't want to and only went on trips when I wanted (minus basic/tech school). I know the military isn't for everyone but even if you never end up flying in the military, graduating college and starting out at the low regional pay is much more manageable if you have little to zero school debt. Not to mention all the places you'll get to see if you want. PM me if you want to know more.

2!

HotMamaPilot

Even if I posted facts, you people would promptly spin them as you do to skyhigh. And my threads are more of an op-ed; subjective in nature. Details are for others.

USMCFLYR

I just gave two bags to someone who is a Special Education teacher in a small town after she mentioned that she could use them as *incentives* to some and a chance to teach about basic hygiene.

I like traveling. I actually wish I could spend more time just hanging around at some of the FBOs we go to and visiting with other pilots. I find them to be interesting people with stories to share. I like spending nights in different cities, and though we tend toward the bigger cities for a variety of reasons, sometimes I find myself in Clovis NM for example. Hardly a garden spot, but I found a great little trucker stop style diner with a killer chicken tortilla soup. I also presently travel for the most most up and down the central US, so I rarely have some of the less desirable effects of extensive travel like jet lag, having to deal with the TSA at airports, huge air traffic delays, pressing the weather, or even extensive night flying (though I enjoy flying at night).

I like the challenge of flying. Actually controlling the aircraft and making it do what you want it to do - especially if operating of the edges of the flight envelope. There is less of that now in my present job but I still try to hand fly when able.

Compensation and benefits. Though I started down the aviation path to fly in the civilian world, I luckily realized my dream to fly in the military. That means that I had few of the earlier low time jobs other than flying jumpers. Since that time I have had well paying jobs that usually required flying as part of my duties. I was pretty lucky in that I only spent a few years out of the cockpit in the military and I also realized that I loved instructing once I had some real world experience under my belt. My first job out of the military was with a defense contractor who paid very well, but contracting work has its' own hurdles to overcome. In my present Federal position, I am compensated well and have good bennies though I'll not make the pay of the airline captains of yesteryear. I rarely work weekends, nights or holidays and if I chose to I am rewarded for it.

skylover - there are many different types of flying jobs out there besides the airlines. It is something that I would suggest you keep an open mind too as you learn more and more about the industry. Personally I never had the desire to be an airline pilot or fly the "big metal". Smaller, faster, and more maneuverable was my kick (and I wanted to fly low, low, low which is why I almost went helos in the military but that is another story). Once I got out of the military I wanted to fly large cabin corporate aircraft all over the world. This is an example of how things change over time. I'm being given the opportunity to fly Lear60s and Challenger 604/605s (internationally) and I have asked to be left in the King Air 300 flying the central US for now. People on the boards are right when they say that after a while it is much more about compensation, benefits, and QOL than it is about the airplane you fly.

USMCFLYR

USMCFLYR

How are they spun HMP?
We are cautioning the same things.
We just don't call people "idiots" or "morons".
It has been said a million times that most can agree with the message, but not appreciate the delivery method.
It is you and SH to name a few who like to spin anything positive said about the business. SH has said before that it is *impossible* for him to say anything positive about aviation. Anything - really? A job that he stayed in for all those supposed years and toiled to make it and recently said that he would join the ranks of Alaska if offered? And yourself - a person sitting at one of the most desirable companies for some - can you share a few good points of your career or experiences or do you contend that every single day is a waste?

USMCFLYR