Originally Posted by
bondjamesbond
I will echo those who suggest getting education/training that is outside of aviation. There are so many of us (myself included) who are trapped in the cockpit because, unless we are flying airliners, we are nothing more than unskilled workers. We can't leave airline X for airline Y because, unlike other professionals, we can't take our experience and qualifications and command a reasonable salary. We would go to the bottom of the list, first year pay, weekend reserve.
DANG! I'm sure sorry you feel that way - because I'm a pilot who has never flown an airliner and I sure don't feel like, nor am I treated like, unskilled labor.
Beyond that, I would make sure he understands that he should only get into aviation because he loves to fly. The opportunity still exists to make quite a bit of money, and the prospects for hiring and success in the industry are finally beginning to look up, but the days of the Pan Am Clippers, three weeks off a month and paying cash for a new Corvette every year are long gone.
To the OP, the other thing to remember is that there are other avenues to the professional pilot world that DON'T involve the airlines. MANY people get stuck in their head that there is only one path to a successful aviation career. No matter which path your child chooses to venture down should they decide to give this profession a try, it is best to not have blinders on as many opportunities exist in the industry for those who are ready to grasp a gem once found.