No kidding. Either this guy didn't WANT to fly or was doing it on the side. I made almost $28k my last year instructing and flew 968 hours in that time (I instructed longer than almost everyone I know, at 1 year 10 months). Cops in my area start around $34k.

For those that think it's a "struggle" to become a pilot, here are my past and estimated income figures:

Training costs - ratings: $35,000
Instructing, first 10 months: $16,000 income on my W2's
Instructing, last 12 months: $27,500 income on my W2's

Year one at regional: Will show about $28k on my W2, ~14 days off a month
Year two at regional: Will show about $42k on my W2, ~14 days off a month
Year three at regional: Will show about $44k on my W2, ~14 days off a month. Those figures include per diem.

That's all without upgrading, just as an FO. Upgrades are slightly less than 3 years right now, but I don't want to speculate what they will be when I get there. Yes, you could make a little more money eventually as a cop, firefighter, teacher, etc. rather than a regional FO. Once upgrade hits though, it's not horrible income. And the more senior you get, the better trips you get, etc. etc.

The catch is if your airline goes down, and you start over. I don't think I would start over at a regional, no way Jose.