Originally Posted by nightrider

I don't usually answer posts but I am going to give it a shot for you.

The pilot shortage is crap, the schools and magazines have been talking about this for years, airlines also try to use it to talk the gov out of any legislation that restricts their ability to rape and pillage their pilots at will.

I heard all of this when I graduated in 1990, I spent 10 yrs flying regionals and cargo, I was hired in 2001 by a major cargo carrier , I won't mention which one,but it's not fdx. After 11.5 yrs here I make around 200k and I do actually hold week on week off schedules. However there is no progression and I honestly can't say the personal price I have payed and continue to pay is worth it. The majors are no longer a guarantee if you get there you will be lucky but the pay and benefits are not what they once were
I have missed so much with my son and daughter these are things I will never get back, while the money is nice in retrospect the memories would have been better. I am lucky I still have a pension and good pay and I am the only one of my friends who are not divorced, but my wife is a one in a million and has always been very flexible and willing to step up to the plate and be a single parent when required this is a very lonely lifestyle and not many can do it.

I guess what I am saying is this is your choice but it is very hard on your family and requires a lot of sacrifice
You won't make a living for awhile so be prepared. If I knew what I know now when I started I think I might have gone down a different path.