Originally Posted by SkyHigh
ChrisH
Being an airline pilot is just a job, however it is a job that has a broad appeal. I don't think you will ever see people lining up to pay 65K in training expenses in order to become a plumber at 18K per year.
I think people don't sympathise with the plight of pilots because many wish they could trade places and some do. It is difficult to make it anywhere but it is especially difficult to make it to the good life as a pilot.
As for myself I have been self employed for almost three years now. The first two years were very difficult but things seem to be taking off in the last 10 months. If next year is as good as this one was it would take a lot to get me to go back.
SkyHigh
You are exactly right. It is an "appeal" thing. It is much more fun to fly an airplane than work on plumbing. But I don't think the $65K is spent on an $18K per year job. I think it is spent on the hopes that they will one day get to the "good life as a pilot", and be a SWA, UPS, FedEx, etc., captain.
Some people, and some jobs, unfortunately, involve some lower pay, and rough times starting off. Someone who goes into medical school to become a doctor has to start off as an intern. They will work many 12+ hour shifts, for little pay, and still be in $100K+ debt from medical school. The pay off in the end is good, but so can be the case with a pilot, when/if you get to the majors. And, a $75-$80K regional captain salary ain't that bad either. As mentioned earlier by Baja, can you buy a $1.1 million house with that? No. But, it is still a good salary, and plenty of people live on those salaries and less.
I know a guy who I work with now who is about to graduate college with a business degree in marketing. He wants to work in sports marketing. He applied for a job, that really is an internship, for after he graduates, working for a state golf association. Starting pay; $17K per year. Sure he could find something paying more, but so can a pilot. Those pilots who start flying corporate, or charter, instead of regionals, typically make a good bit more than a first year regional FO.
The airlines business is all about risks. Does the risk mean that pay should also help compensate for that risk? Sure. But a doctor can just as easily lose his license, and be in the same situation. The same can go for other careers. I can take what I am majoring in now, and go be a database analyst with some company and eventually make $80K per year. In fact, my aunt does just that. But, I would rather take the risk, and work my way to being a regional captain making $80K per year. And, if I am one day lucky enough to make it the majors, like UPS, or SWA, and be making $150K+ per year, than even better.
I wish you all the luck with your business, and I hope it continues to do well. You seem to like it very much. I think everybody has to just do what they like, and what appeals to them.