Help for a High School Kid?
 

Good Evening!

I'm currently a year away from wrapping up my time at highschool, in the time that I have left I've been busy looking at colleges to pursue a career in professional flight, My great grandad used to fly and before he passed he taught me in his Piper cub (unfortunately sold with his estate after he passed) so flying's been with me for a while. I always thought, too, that it would be a good career choice, I have no sources, but I heard that there are more people with PhD's and Masters degrees than there are full licensed pilots, so it must pay well right? Well, apparently yes, only very far down the road though. In fact I read, just about an hour ago (which is what actually prompted me making this account) that introductees to professional flight aren't very well paid at all. Now I can understand this, putting an untested rookie behind a six-figure investment would worry me too, but when I saw that most new pilots are paid only hourly, and at that point, around 30k a year, well i couldn't really believe it. So I'm asking in hopes some of the more seasoned aviators among the community (or really anyone, I'll take all the advice I can get) is this true? How long did you have to live off of so little money? Is it difficult to make the jump from poor paying regional airlines to major or international? Is it a competitive application process? How long would I spend in this position? Do I even have to take that step, or is there any way to circumnavigate this process?

Anything else you think I need to hear, please tell me! I look forward to hearing from you guys, cheers

Learn to fly in the military.

A lot of this has been answered on the forum BUT, your research is essentially correct. It is an incredibly expensive (especially when you factor in opportunity cost) career choice which won't pay well for maybe 10 years AFTER you start working in commercial aviation. It is not the kind of thing you should pursue with a "try it out" kind of attitude, simply because it is so expensive. A pvt. pilot's licence is in the neighborhood of 8-10K. All the necessary ratings including instructors are going to run about 100K. Up until very recently, you started out making a salary in the teens, this is probably why there is a "pilot shortage"--actually there is no shortage, just a shortage of those willing to spend so much to earn so little.

IF you really have the desire to become a commercial pilot, and I mean REALLY are obsessed with it, then pursue it, if not, don't. It is a cruel mistress. It is my second career, and unfortunately I was caught in the last ten years of stagnation; I was lucky enough to make captain at regional and I make about 90K, BUT many have been stuck 8 yrs making less than half that. Pay is now getting better as regional and other traditionally low paying jobs can't attract employees anymore. Major airlines can still be very choosy whom they hire.

Even going into the military to fly is not going to guarantee you become a pilot, many are being tagged to fly drones. For a youngish man without family, and able to survive on the minimum for a few years, it's probably the best time to get into aviation. If you are flexible, you can fly anywhere in the world. But you really, really have to want it. That means no real home, moving around a lot. Losing out on friends and relationships as you move and work every holiday and weekend. If you make it, it will be a great adventure, but you will have a lot scars and sacrifices made.

Don't go to Emrby Riddle--way way over priced. Get a degree in something you can use like STEM or business. When the airlines lay off, there may be NO jobs in aviation for a while. If you can learn a marketable skill outside aviation do that too that too.

That is what I did, and what I would still do today. As Bedrock noted, there are no guarantees of where or what airplane you will fly, or even that you will fly at all, but that's true in the civilian world as well. At least the military pays decently and leaves you with no flight training debt. If you can snag an Academy appointment, no college tuition debt either. :)

not to be cliched but I most definitely want it, thanks for your advice!

If it's your passion, go for it. As posted, flight training costs a fair amount of $$$. Taking 10 years to slowly get your commercial license won't put you on the fast track to a job. You really don't want a $200k debt out of flight school. Always have a backup plan with piloting jobs.

Yes, ideally the military is a great option, from one of the academies to ROTC, etc.. As a long time scattergun shooter I like the shotgun approach, look into all options. Don't wait either, you could be taking a private pilot ground school course right now or this summer at little expense.

I have a close relative at Purdue, really enjoying the aviation program. Over the years I've seen people wait for things to happen, contrasted with those who 'make' things happen. When you find a wall in your path, you find a way over or around.

What ever you decide make sure you get a bachelor degree, and, groom a second career choice to use in bad times... Real estate, law degree, financial planner...

A lot of good points made above. My advice would be to go to a four year school. Get a double major, if you get those 60 credits from a four year you qualify for Restricted ATP mins.

Don't go to Embry Riddle..waste of money

My recommendations probably Univeristy of North Dakota, Purdue, Kansas.. There's a bunch of fairly good programs out there find what fits for you.

Go to college and get a degree in something other than aviation as a backup.

Look into the Air Guard or Reserves and start networking now with different units in areas where you could see yourself living in the future.

Upon college graduation, you will be going to OTS, and hopefully followed up by flight school with a guaranteed slot in an aircraft that the unit that hired you on flies (i.e., not a drone).

Exactly this! Guard and Reserves is a great way to know ahead of time what you'll be flying. Network early though - there is a bit of "who you know" at play in their hiring process.

As for schools, UND and Purdue are top notch and less expensive than ERAU. They're also widely known in the flying community as being excellent schools. Good luck!