Newbie pilot concerns
 

Hi all,
I am a newbie and before enrolling a training school, I have a couple of questions to inquiry. If you can help me out, I will appreciate.

1, is there any occupation illness to be a pilot ? such as hearing disorder, prolepsesof lumbar intervertebral disc and insomnia.

2, I read heaps of news say there is big shortage of pilots. However, I checked the BLS website and The Truth About the Profession, both of these two websites show me that there is not a shortage in pilot field. What is the reality as to the pilot job market ?

3, I know a girl who graduated from ATP Flight School 9-month fast track program (and finished 1500 flight hours) told me that she got 50 dollars / hour as a co-pilot in USA, interestingly based on the writer of The Truth About the Profession, an entry level pilot who just got 1500 flight hours tends to got very low salary, e.g. regional airline co-pilot salary 20k-40k, and major airline co-pilot 50k-60k. Honestly salary is important for me, and the training fee is very expensive. What is the realistic salary range for a entry level co-pilot ?

I can't answer number one or two, although I understand skin cancers have also been an issue due to the high level of radiation pilots are exposed to up in the flight levels.

Yes there is somewhat of a shortage of qualified pilots at the entry level, although the carriers that offer defined career progression or better pay have no problem attracting applicants. Pay has gone up tremendously in the last few years, and should continue to go up at a more moderate rate in the time you take to finish your ratings. The stuff you have read is likely outdated, or represents sub 1500 hour jobs. You should expect to make 60k your first year at a regional, 65k your second year, and 95k your third year, at least at Endeavor pay, which will hopefully be matched by others carriers. Once you're at the majors (maybe in 5 years looking at current retirement numbers) you'll be making double what you'd make at a regional.

Thanks for replying Flydiamond. I think the girl that I mentioned is very lucky, because she finished her 1500 hours from as a Flight Instructor than she got a job and paid as 50 dollars hourly

Thanks for replying Flydiamond. I think the girl that I mentioned is very lucky, because she finished her 1500 hours from as a Flight Instructor than she got a job and paid as 50 dollars hourly

I'd say there is no shortage at the _entry_ level (135 VFR/SIC, Skydiving, Banner towing etc), but a huge shortage at the mid tier (regionals). Regional airlines are not entry level jobs.

Getting from 0 to 1200 is the hardest part of your career. At 1200 and 135 IFR mins, you have more options, and 1500, world is your oyster.

This is all true, although foreign training demands in the US along with a strong economy (people wanting to learn how to fly just to the private level) has created a bit of a shortage of flight instructors.

True, as has regionals hiring fight instructors.