Things do change over time. A long time ago the blacksmith was the hot job in America. In the 60's and 70's pilots were in the sun. There will be a continued need for pilots for some time to come and to some the sacrifices and investment required is still worth the return. However it is obvious that pilots will not make the kind of money and will not enjoy the same quality of life and status that guys did in the past.

Legacy pilots currently average half of what they earned in 1980. They also work longer days and have much fewer benefits. If the current trend keeps going pilot wages at the legacies will halve again in ten years. The cost of training and education are rising at the same time.

I write from the perspective of the guy who is starting out today. As such, my position is that the numbers just do not work out anymore. The local university quoted me $72,000 as a conservative cost for four years of college. The local flight school claimed that a flight student could finish their commercial CFI "within $80,000". All that to hopefully make as much as a plumber in 15 years.

I understand that many here are not all that concerned with income and QOL as I. My goal with aviation was to make a better living than if I hadn't made the effort and to be able to provide a better quality of life for me and my family. It is obvious that aviation can not provide enough security and return to be worth the risks anymore.

I have no issue with those of you who advance knowingly into this profession. Others however are concerned with the same factors as I and benefit from this kind of discussion. It is true that other well know professions are struggling too. Most likely their time is over as well. The glamor jobs of yesterday usually are not so good today. A better strategy is to look to the future and invest yourself into a growing industry and into a profession that is in demand.

SkyHigh