Originally Posted by ryane946
I don't mean any disrespect, but who here has ever been shot at???
Cops make a modest income. Maybe regional captain pay.
I lived in the bay area CA (one of the most expensive places to live in the US), and I know that cop pay scales now max at 100k in San Jose (largest city in the bay, also the safest). That 100k ceiling is higher than any other city in the area. It is the result of a brand new contract.
So I disagree that you will make more money as a cop than a pilot. If you start at age 22 in both jobs, do the cfi, do the regional stuff, major FO, and you should be at a good major job with a solid 20 years of high earnings (and that was very conservative). And a captain job at any big carrier (except JB EMB-190 capt) is more than senior police officers.
Plus, everyone knows the most dangerous part of flying is the drive to the airport. The same is NOT true with cops. Their job is inherently dangerous. And do you want to put up with the kind of crap that cops must go through on a daily basis. Wouldn't you rather fly fewer hours a week, and be able to fly airplanes, or patrol city streets???
Very easy question for me.
Those "payscales" you refer to never include the OT...that's the real kicker.
I agree that your tolerance for excitement is factor in choosing a LE career, and the higher paid agencies usually earn their money. There are numerous QOL issues related to being a cop, maybe worse than airline guys.
Plus the ability to reire at age 45-50 with a generous defined benefit plan is HUGE...those guys can then take up a flying job as a hobby if they want and not worry about making ends meet...
and yes I've been shot at...lots of people have been lately lol. You either get used to it, or you find another job. Don't get too excited about gunfire though, I know people who ride motorcylces in such a manner that they would be safer spending their saturday afternoon in Fallujah. But it's not the actual shootings that get to people, it's the constant threat of being shot at that wears you down in the long run.