Originally Posted by
N5139
Gee, I guess I should tell all the guys I know on second year pay netting around $40,000 that they can't keep $23,000 of it. I agree with you to a certain extent, but I can't say that you paint the most accurate picture. It's pretty sad that the pay is so low, but it's also pretty sad that a lot of people are miserable in their cubicles making twice as much.
I see pros and cons to every industry. Outsourcing, layoffs, cost-cutting, and bottom feeding are certainly not exclusive of the airline industry. Yes, it's more cyclical and tumultuous than most fields, but regret is an intangible cost on one's personal goals. This is something I've always wanted to do and now I can say I've done it. I encourage anyone who has realistic expectations of this career to at least experience it.
Lastly, experience as a pilot will never hurt you when interviewing for positions outside of aviation.
Congratulations, whoareyou, welcome.
Life is a trade off. Pilots often can say that they have fun at work while their personal and financial life is in ruins. 9 to 5 types get a lot in return for their sacrifices. In the long run the "cubicle" is a better choice.
In addition as pilots our value as employees only comes from our place in the seniority system. A pilot is near worthless on the job market outside of aviation and mostly worthless in aviation as well. Pilots do not build any skills of value to anyone including most air carriers. (As proof even a laid off 777 captain would have to start out as a FO at the next company.) Pilot experience has no value except as proof that you will take a lot of employer abuse.
There are few other professions that require such a deep and highly specialised education and experience level that has so little transferable value to other aspects of life and professions.
SkyHigh