How is a job in aviation a lottery ticket? Yes, you can be furloughed, but that is true in pretty much every other occupation. My boss when I worked in the business world was at AON for over 25 yrs, made 300k plus, and one day was sent packing because the business unit was downsizing. As a pilot you can make a good living, and unless your an idiot, you should save for a rainy day. My friend loves his job at Skywest. How is he so much different from everyone else?