Originally Posted by SkyHigh
Yes Fosters, I agree with your assessment. My next question is: Is it better to earn 50K starting at 20 years old and slowly raise at 5% per year over the next 40 to 45 years or to pursue a typical civilian flying career?
Example: 5 years in college then 3 years as a CFI to be followed by 5 years as an FO at a regional before reaching 50K. 80 to 180 thousand in education and training costs. Eventually reaching 100 thousand at the 20 year mark? Versus no college, trade school as a truck driver, heavy equipment driver or welder. 6 months in school and 10 to 20 thousand in training costs.
SkyHigh
I would still pick being a pilot, because I know when I worked "typical" jobs back in high school I know how much those suck to work. I spent around $35k or so in actual ratings, so I don't consider that excessive. For those that are spending $100k+ on college and ratings they either didn't want to look for another way or were lazy in training and spent more than they had to.
I disagree with your yearly outlook as well. I did college and flight training in less than 3 years, CFI'd longer than most at 2, and ended up at a regional. Hopefully this one hangs around for awhile. I would at least hope until I upgrade to captain and then some. Like I mentioned in an earlier thread this is a means to an end which allows for more time off than a 'normal' job (albeit while making less, but also working less).