Hello all, I am am CMEL CFI with 1200 TT and 80 ME. I want to pose a "hypothetical" question to those in the industry.

Suppose you own a business that nets you $150,000/yr. You love flying and have been a pilot all your life. You work part time as a flight instructor, mostly for experience and to keep yourself current. You built and fly your own aircraft regularly and really have too many blessings to count. BUT... you really want to fly for an airline. Because you own the business you can still draw income from the business make up for the low initial airline pay. Is a person like this crazy to take a flying job with a regional airline? Is a person like this a delusional romantic or like all the rest, plagued by a terminal love for aviation?

 

If you own a business that's making you that kind of money, then I have to assume your time is valuable. If you go fly for a regional, youve just sold that free time for $25/hour or less, plus the headache of constantly being on the road or on reserve.

 

Actually if you account for duty time you could make as little as $6/hour. But if you add it all up at the end of the year and your average hourly duty rate is less than minimum wage you can have the state labor board force the airline to make up the difference.

I guess the real question is can you keep the business going while doing the airline gig? If not, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

Yes........

 

I've gotta say that I love it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I think right now is a great time to get in cause movement is coming (barring some sort of crisis). So I say you give it a go and see where it goes. But don't judge the career by the training. Wait until you finish training and at least get thru IOE. Flying the line does not compare to flying in the sim at all. I know several people who just gave up during the sim portion because it is not what they were expecting. Sim is not a cakewalk and it is non-stop work and mostly emergencies which can be stressful. So if after getting to the line you decide it is not for you the. You can make a decision. But if you don't do it, it will continue to eat at you for years to come.
You sound a lot like me, where you are at a point in life where you figured out that money is okay but you want to do something that you love. If you can manage to compensate for the horrible starting salary, go for it! Or live with "what if" for the rest of your days. Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

This might make sense if you are an avowed bachelor who prefers a bohemian lifestyle. But if you have a family and responsibilities you have to take into account that this is not really a question of giving up good money for a little less money.

It's a question of giving up a viable lifestyle in exchange for abject poverty, instability, and sitting airport ready-reserve at 0500 on christmas morning.

If you have a traditional lifestyle and/or family to take care of you will need supplemental income for at least ten years, more likely 15 and that's if all goes well in your career.

 

I really appreciate the replies. I should add that I did spend 12 years as an A&P mechanic for a major airline. I do understand airline culture. So at least part of the pilot experience I am familiar with. I guess where I am struggling is whether or not it's worth the hassle of commuting. My business can still provide me income, though at a diminished capacity. Being 42 with 1 kid in college and one on the way, there's no way I could live on the meager 1st year FO salary.

 

Commuting limitations have always defined my career, due to the need not to disrupt my family, spouse's employment, and my outside income activities.

I'm OK with one leg, 3-4 hours max, with multiple daily flights. Anything harder than that is just too much to cope with.

 

I guess that depends on the commute. Living in base is best but a short commute isn't bad. Keep in mind reserve sucks any way you look at it.

 

Wait till your kids are grown and the retirement is in the bank. Then in your late fifties make the plunge.

Skyhigh