Is it worth it?
 

I am currently a 28 year old fireman who has always had a fascination with flying. I plan on doing a discovery flight soon to see if I will like it but I'm pretty sure I will. I have never really had the resources to get flight training,(still don't really) and know that I will be taking on more debt unless I choose to go into the military(last option) and even then I'm not guaranteed to get into the pilot programs the military offer.

Now I know the saying is "not to do things for money" but thats not realistic for me as I have a family to support. I want to do something I enjoy and live comfortably at the same time. I have researched that the pay is horribly low in the beginning but can improve tremendously. I work at a major airport as a firefighter and see pilots in the terminals that never really look happy.

With all this being said, I just wanted to know the current feeling of some pilots as far as work conditions and compensation, and also would it be a good idea to get into the industry at my age?

You make good money I'd bet and can support that family of yours on your firefighter job. It is a common misconception that you have to fly professionally to enjoy flying, while it is often just the opposite. Spend some time reading on the forum and you'll unfortuantely find that many pilots who fly for a living come to view it as just a job. Once you take that Discovery Flight and find out that you in fact *think* you enjoy flying, why not keep your good paying job and fly recreationally. Fly when you want, where you when, in what you want (for the most part), with whom you want.

Honestly, I wouldn't do it. The good news is that yes... there's going to be tons of openings and you're nearly guaranteed to get a JOB flying, but unless you luck out and get the right connections at a posh corporate flight department flying Citation Xs right away, you're going to have to go the regional airline route and get your time that way. That means you're going to be away from your home and family a lot, miss them on birthdays and holidays, and as you already are aware, make lousy pay. At 28, you're not anywhere close to being too old... you could conceivably make it to a major airline before age 40 and once there, things really start to improve. The question is, do you really want to spend $70,000 (not counting a 4 year degree which you'll also need) to make only a third to half that amount at a regional for 8-10 years and go through all the beatings, before you wind up with a "good" job? You tell me, is it worth it?

From a purely financial point of view, for the average Joe who doesn't have wealthy parents or a job currently paying 6 figures (in which case they would not elect to become professional pilots), becoming a pilot makes NO sense. NONE. Zippo. You have to be a one-trick pony with nothing else on his mind, convinced that the only thing you're good for is flying... in order to take that route.

Depends on the job on who you work for too many variables to really answer your true questions. Ask 100 dif people and you will get 100 dif answers but one thing remains common and that is ask if you are sorry that you did it and you will prob find that the answer is no. I like many have the sickness. All pilots will complain, part of the DNA I think. I wouldn't trade my life for anything or anyone, to each his own.

All being equal everyone has to wade through their share of the snow to get to the cabin. Some never do make it but most who persist get there before the frostbite sets in. You will get many votes that say stick with what you've got and that's prob because no one wants to recommend the very long pain of the internship that may never materalize into a 200+ year job.

I for one don't do this for the money and believe those that do never find happiness but unfortunately I need to feed the sickness that lies within. You can love flying without selling your soul but if you want to have a career then you have to go all in.

I disagree with this.
To the OP, I am a late career changer switching from a 6 figure engineering career to start building time at a regional.
If this is what you want to do, do not listen to the naysayers nor outsource your decision to anyone! And if this is what you want to do, do it as early as possible, because the more you wait, the more painful it will be and I am speaking from my own experience!

You said military is your last option. How close to 29 are you? Just realize that you need to start pilot training by 30 (USAF) sometimes waiverable. You actually are guaranteed a pilot slot through OTS If they hire you for that and you pass your physical. If they offer you something else you can decline. This assumes you have a four year degree. I'd consider the reserves or guard, you can keep your fire fighting job and fly on the side (eventually).

The OP asked for the feelings and opinions of others. I merely said that I wouldn't do it, if I were in his shoes. That's not being a naysayer... that's giving him practical advice on WHY I wouldn't do it, and he needs to know the risks (and indeed, I believe that's what he specifically asks for.) Telling someone to just go for it if that's what they really want is wise advice, but I'm not convinced it IS what he REALLY wants... are you? Read our friend's post again: "I have a family to support... I want to do something I enjoy and live comfortably at the same time." He's not coming from a 6 figure salary like you and I did.

I may as well say, jcstorey, that if you can scrape together the funds you will need to launch a pilot career from the bottom up, you might instead consider putting that money towards an engineering degree (if you can handle the advanced math), or a computer science degree... IF those careers would be of interest to you. Both degrees will nearly guarantee you a job, both are among the fastest growing careers, both are among the highest paying, doctors and CEOs not included. And both will have you home nearly every night, plus you will have the money to rent...possibly even buy... your own aircraft to fly wherever you want on your days off. THAT there is true enjoyment... IMHO.

I guess my first question is do you have a 4 year degree. If you don't, you need to get one first. You simply aren't going to get very far as a professional pilot without it.

Most of the people that come on here asking questions like yours already have a private or even an instrument rating. You would be starting from scratch, and that changes the equation.

Whether you have a degree or not, you should pursue a private certificate first. See how that goes, and re-evaluate. You will never regret having one, and assuming you stay healthy, you can use it for the rest of your life...

Thanks for the replies
 

I've taken a lot of time to think about this. I know I would enjoy flying but I believe my issue is that I don't want to be just another employee. Im going to become a millionaire with one of my ideas by the time I hit thirty and buy me a plane to fly. We as people need more control over our lives but we give it away so quickly for peanuts. I don't want to do any work that has a cap on my worth or earnings.

I wish all of you well and thank you for your replies

Is it worth it? That depends on the individual that you ask. Some have had storied careers and others, not so much. I knew my path at the age of 5, and as an adult I had no idea how to get where I am now, yet managed to do it. For me it was a labor of love, don't worry about the money, do what you love and the money will follow. You mentioned being married, that could change things a bit. Make sure your spouse is on board with your decisions, as you could find yourself with no one to complain about your choices.