Originally Posted by
pilot_man
Did you ever stop to think that maybe some pilots aren't in it for the money. Maybe just having a job in aviation is a dream come true. Who cares if its flying Rj's for 20k a year, who cares if your flying an A380 out of Hong Kong flying rubber dog poo. The point is flying is flying. To me I don't care how much I make or what I fly. As long as I am living comfortably and flying. I do understand at the salary pilots have these days, living is pretty hard. But if you love what you do, it doesn't matter.
You're probably fairly young, and clearly not experienced in aviation...
1) Flying will become a job after 1-2 years at an airline. I agree it's good job with enjoyable moments, but like any other other job I'd rather be home than working.
2) If you ever get married and/or have kids financial reality will arrive...your peers in other industries (ANY other industry) will be making three times what you do, you will live in marginal housing and drive a 20 y/o car which you share with your wife...since you're usually gone you don't need and can't afford two beaters anyway (extra $400 insurance). On weekends you will visit your friend's palatial new homes in the new developments...you watch the game at their place since you can't afford a wide HD TV.
3) When you start to get gray hair, and have FINALLY gotten slightly ahead of the 8 ball finacially, they will downsize you and give your job to...You Guessed It! A 20-something punk who doesn't need "money" to fly, he just loves to fly! Why would they possibly keep you around when you cost 5 times as much???
This is the reality at the regional level (and sometimes at the majors too). This cycle has been repeating almost as long as there have been airplanes...