Contemplating a career change.
 

So I'm 39 with 0 flight experience and I'm contemplating a career change to fulfill my life's long dream of becoming a pilot.

I've read a ton of resources on how to start going about this, and I have decided that if I do this I will go the "modular" route for training vs going all in at a flight school. This way I can hopefully come out on the other site debt free. Since I'm already 39 and starting from scratch I was wondering if becoming and staying a regional pilot is a smart option? What I am really curious of at the regionals is:

1. Do they typically offer good benefits? Benefits like 401Ks, Health insurance?

2. Is it realistic to make 100K+ plus at some point as a regional pilot?

3. What is the actual QOL of a regional pilot? I know this is very subjective, but just curious on different perspectives of life as a regional pilot.

None of them are what I'd call good. Some are barely adequate, with plenty of out-of-pocket expenses. The best of the regionals would be on par with the lower end of respectable white-collar America.

Might get as much 10% 401k match after ten years. Maybe.

I would expect a five-year CA at the "better" regionals to break $100K. Also unlike salary jobs, creative schedule manipulation and working extra trips to maximize overtime can dramatically increase your income...possibly up to double what you'd make if you just the schedule they give you.

Widely variable, runs the full spectrum. Numerous factors come into play...airline, domicile, relative seniority, aircraft type, time of year, commuter, etc. Seniority is the biggest factor. Super-senior crews in one of our bases fly 3-4 standups/week. They are home every day, all day, and many have other jobs or businesses. They go to work about 2130, fly one leg, go to a hotel for 5-6 hours, fly one leg back home and are home for breakfast and to take the kids to school. Basically paid to sleep in a hotel.

But if it's a better regional and you're not doing some stupid commute eventually your seniority will reward you with a QOL that's better than 9-5 M-F jobs. Assuming you and the spouse can adapt.

With 0 flight time how about taking the 1st few steps? That may be putting yourself on a faster track to get your privat pilots license. After that you can look towards the next step, maybe even speed things up if you enjoy it.


https://www.eaa.org/en/airventure

Anyone looking for an infusion of aviation needs to come to Oshkosh, WI towards the end of July for Airventure.