Originally Posted by
BillDougy
I am a 32 y/o firefighter/paramedic currently with 18 years before retirement is an option (private pension years prior to current department didn't count) and I am looking at a new career as a commercial pilot due to earning potential and boredom after 14 years fighting fire. Question I have is related to pay and job opportunities as well as training leading up to getting a ticket for a regional. Is starting pay really in the 60k range or is that just including bonuses as a marketing gimmick? What is the time line from start to finish of required training. Is a bachelors degree required for the flow to a legacy? Thanks in advance.
With your paramedic history, think about air ambulance. Sort of the same, sit around waiting for the phone to ring. Some air ambulance companies hire right seaters at around 600 to 700 hours.
Pay starts low, but jumps up each year and even more when you get to the left seat, and is basically a recession proof job unlike most other jobs in aviation.
And I agree with others. Aviation is boring 99% of the time. it is the 1% that makes a pilot worth his money.