Don't be an airline pilot?
 

I see so many pilots saying how bad it is.

So, should I not go for it? I don't care about not getting filthy rich...I just want to be able to make a DECENT living.

Will that be possible in a few years? Really, I've wanted to be an airline pilot since I was 9. 9 YEARS LATER, it's in the crapper.

It was in the crapper just about 9 years ago also.

If it's really what you want to do then you should go for it. You'll find lots of advice as to options from prior posts regarding how to get there (civ or mil), so check them out. My advice is ask yourself if you could see yourself actually doing the job. Don't get caught up in how challenging it will be to actually get there; first ask yourself if you can see yourself doing the job. You should read pro and con arguments with a bit of a critical eye (i.e. why are they for it or against it?). Most here will be in favor of it because it's what they do for a living. If your family knows someone in the business try and get some time with them and chat them up. And then think about it some more before putting money into getting there.

The job is for me, definitely. To this day I've always loved traveling by air...and being in the cockpit would be the time of life.

And you know what? My Uncle who flew for United since the late 60's until the late 90's would've have been ta good guy to talk to about it but unfortunately him and my mother do not talk.

My CFI doesn't plan to go into the airlines so I can't really ask him much.

Some advice:

1)If you really want to become a professional pilot, then you should proceed with that career but be smart about it. Don't rush out and pay $60k to be done in 12 months. Do some research and figure out a cost effective way of obtaining all of your pilot certificates (Private, Instrument, Commercial, Commercial Multi, CFI, CFII at least). If you spend a couple of years working towards this goal, you will be more experienced, will have spent less money, and your timing will likely be much, much better than if you were looking now or even a year from now.

2)Go to college (a cheap state school) and get a good, marketable degree in something useful. Something related to medical, engineering, accounting, etc. This will allow you to have a backup in case something happens to the aviation sector and you find yourself unemployed. I'm sure I'll catch some flack for this, but getting a degree in something aviation related is a big, big mistake... If the aviation industry is in the crapper and you lose your flying job, you are going to have a difficult time using that airport management degree or whatever.

3)Be open about the type of flying you will do as a professional pilot. There are all kinds of different ways to earn a living, and you will be much better off if you take the best opportunity available to you as it presents itself. I used to want to be "an airline pilot". Luckily I was open about it, and after instructing for awhile I worked in 135 charter and now part 91 corporate. Thank God I went that route instead of the regionals.

4)Be willing to move where ever you have to, within reason. I grew up in Colorado, and I love it there. But the job market sucks in Denver so I moved to south FL. As far as my aviation career goes, it was an excellent decision. I know people that are still stuck in dead end pilot jobs (or have totally quit aviation) as they were unwilling to move when they were starting out.

4)Keep your expenses down. Do not buy a new car, don't get married, don't buy a house, etc. You really, really need to be flexible when you're starting out.

Good luck!

Getting married can be (besides the other reasons why you marry) financially beneficial if your spouse makes decent money. This can give you flexibility when it comes to choosing between Campbell's soup or the more premium Chunky soup.

True...if he/she is willing put up with moving all the time, having you away from home. A divorce if they aren't behind you can be much more costly than being single one on one income.

wrxpilot hit the nail on the head, listen to what he/she said.
It's exactly what I would have told you.

Obviously, being a "pilot in training" I am...well..this advice is still news to me.

wrxpilot, thanks for the advice. I'll definitely take into mind.

Very eloquently stated wrxpilot. This is good advice for anyone starting out in this career.

Take your time SoCal, choose wisely and listen to your instincts. This is not the industry it was 25 years ago - the money went by the way of the A list. People now get into this profession because they love to fly...a true passion.

Good luck!