Originally Posted by Cubdriver

Aspiring to be a professional aviator, whether you actually do so or not is among the most sensible reasons to expend the effort and money required to get advanced training. But people are able to ascertain that a professional pilot career is not what it once was and salaries are not what they once were. They see the job as a questionable endeavor and spending five figures on flight training in the face of a decay in salary and working conditions for professionals aviators just doesn't make sense.

However, it is still a valuable resume credential to have pilot certificates listed whether you plan to use the certificates or not. Pilot certificates are a reliable way to open doors with employers and establish a better place on the list of applicants for a variety of high paying jobs. It shows the candidate has focus, drive, skill, determination, ability to stay the course and a desire to use high level skills in the service of others. Many professions use milestones as such evidence. Politicians get law degrees, doctors get chemistry degrees, and engineers often get business degrees in addition to other training. All these jobs could go forth without the extra training but they do because it shows mettle and ability.

What's missing in GA to a large extent now is a purely recreational component that once had the money to spend on it but now has trouble with the numbers. I do not lament the loss of this group very much, because they are thrill seekers and there is nothing wrong with that but there are cheaper ways to do it. But I do lament the loss of the traditional proving ground that general aviation historically provides. If you say you have a pilot's license it instantly communicates you have moxy, skill, confidence, drive, and focus, and that you intend to do a better job.