Spartan0536

Hello fellow aviators, I have always been interested in flying aircraft, even from the early age of 3 (or so my father says). I have recently been seriously pursuing this as a profession, where before it was just a hobby as an enthusiast. I am currently taking a few flight lessons at KSRQ's Cirrus Aviation flight school which is a certified Part 141 school.

Most people I know that share my dream of becoming an ATP usually want to go right for the "big boys", 737's, 757's, ect... I however am thinking a bit differently. I have watched a few "webisodes" from real pilots and also that CNN video about life as a regional pilot. I am considering 3 different approaches to my end goal...

1. Dedicated regional pilot (not moving on to major airlines, sticking with a regional airline until retirement)

2. Corporate Pilot

3. Freighter Pilot


From what I have gathered in my research many pilots pass these fields up to get a piece of the "majors", this leaves vacancies that need to be filled thus making it more promising to start a career in that path. Now from what I understand a starting first officer in a regional position is lucky to make about 20-21K per year for the first couple of years. However I have seen many people state that they made it to PIC (Captain) in 2-3 years and then after about 5 years as PIC you are making good money.

My questions are...

1. What is the pay REALLY like in these respective fields?

2. What are my chances if I apply myself to getting a job as a pilot in one of these fields?

3. Am I stupid for even thinking about this at the age of 28?

Any and all helpful information is greatly appreciated, I am a flight sim nut and like I have said I have always been an enthusiast about aviation. Not to mention when I am flying a C172 for training I feel at home, but that could just be the no-pressure "fun" feeling one might get.


Additional Notes:
I am married, been with my wife now for 11 years (yes we started dating in High School and it has continued WITHOUT interruption). I also have a father who is supportive of my goals so long as they are reasonable and I have done my research properly (hence why I am asking on these forums). I also have a fallback career in IT Hardware Systems, but the thought of a cubicle job drives me nuts, and truth be told many IT jobs pay crap (my best is 18k a year right now). My wife is a middle school mathematics teacher, we have no children at this time and she is very supportive of my goal as well (in fact as a wedding present she bought me a flight lesson).

OnCenterline

Spartan, you need to dig around this site a bit. All of your questions have been answered on here before, and much is subjective opinion that you need to sort through and decide how to use.

I'll give you my .02 cents worth on some of it, and I'm sure others will chime in. First, there is no rhyme, reason or logic to plan on a career in the regionals. If it happens, it happens, but it makes no sense to plan on that for reasons too numerous to mention. Three of those reasons are money, money, and money.

Second, you can plan on topping out between $45-50K as a regional FO, and between $75-95K (consistently) as a regional captain after 12-15 years. As an FO at a major, you'll surpass that income in your second year. "Good money" is a matter of personal definition, and what is "good" without kids is suddenly starvation wages with kids, car payments, a mortgage and a bunch of student loans.

Third, your chances of getting a job are excellent if you have the right attitude and a good training record. That said, if you don't have a 4 year degree, then your plan to stay at the regionals might turn into a reality. If you have a degree, the sky is the limit.

Finally, you can start at age 28, but the real question is, Can you afford it? You may be looking at over $100,000 in expenses with no guarantees except that you need to service the loan every 30 days. Don't make this decision lightly.

Jason5

I got my first flying job instructing at 28, then went to Part 135, and am now upgrading at a regional almost exactly three years after that first job. Granted, I'm probably going to quit flying, but it was still a fast progression. I also have no debt and no family. Would never have done this if I did.

You CAN, however, make ok money from the start if you stay 91/135. With a family, that's probably what I'd do.

Spartan0536

I greatly appreciate the comments, they seem to be in line with most of my research. While I understand that making a career in the regionals should not really be a goal, and if "it happens it happens", and pay is something to consider, I just like flying (and making some money doing it). I looked into Silver Airways, I like turboprops and I have lived in the KTPA area my whole life and plan to live here as long as possible, that being said I think Silver might present a reasonable goal. Anyone have any insight to this from the inside perspective?