Generally not much more than the cost of the ECG. Otherwise mostly the same exam, just held to higher standards, although AMEs set their own prices so ymmv.

 

If it helps, there are plenty of wide body captain's making peanuts.

 

Kevbo is one of our resident "glass is almost empty" chicken-littles.

His attitudes are informed by his personal experiences and own personality.

But there's a grain of truth there... someone who does not have the aptitude will struggle, possibly fail, and will not make it to the higher echelons. There are some reasonably accurate predictors of success, if I had your resume and hobbies/interests I could make a prediction. If I talked to you in person, I could make an even better prediction. But that's not foolproof and there's only way to know for sure....

Also the entry-level can be hard on the family, especially if you have to commute to keep them anchored. Best to drive to work, or have a short, easy commute.

 

Why? Why would you get to that level and accept peanuts for your compensation? Who are they flying for?

 

I'd be willing to take you up on that offer. I can easily email you my current resume and I'd be willing to Skype for a face to face. Getting a professional's take is worth it's weight in gold.

 

For whom are they flying.

The operators that pay peanuts.'

Not everybody wins the lottery.

 

Excatly. But but but....optimism bias says that never happens to ME, only to YOU. This is why these career change questions are insufferable. Nobody ever listens to nuance.

 

I'm LOOKING for dark clouds. So, some pilots get stuck with an operator that pays peanuts to fly the big boys. Sounds like a bad deal.

How does it happen?

What keeps the pilot there instead of taking his experience elsewhere? Seniority? Lack of desire to fly in overseas environments that pay well for this level of experience?

Give me some examples to deflate the optimism. That's SPECIFICALLY why I posted. I've read though these forums voraciously over the past few weeks collecting information. I'm reaching out to fill in the gaps and check the conclusions I've come to.

 

Overseas may not be the panacea you think.

Having a fist full of ratings and certificate doesn't necessarily mean that you get to write your own ticket.

By and large, pilots are a dime a dozen, despite the feeding frenzy at the bottom rungs.

 

Many things will be out of your control on a journey such as this. Look at the number of times throughout history that airlines have disappeared or gone bankrupt. If you're a finance guy it should be easy. Remember your job is not portable from employer to employer.



You make a mistake, have a FAA action against you. You fail check rides, your Captain makes a mistake you don't catch. You have a simple accident and the CVR confirms you didn't write up the problem when you became aware of it. Now you are someone who competes with others who don't have these issues.

You are already middle aged. Becoming a senior wide body captain at the best paying airlines may not be a option for you based on the seniority system. How many of those jobs are there anyway?

You make a career sacrifice to help the family instead of a divorce.

The highest paying airlines may not want to hire you. They have thousands of applicants. Why hire you over every single military pilot or every single pilot currently at the regional with more experience and ability. The shortage or at least higher demand is in the lower paying positions. These are often contract carriers who do not own any flying and have contracts whipsawed.
The low paying airline may be your only employment opportunity., remember there are pilot in pilot training every year wanting to take your job for much less money.

The economy tanks again. Cabotage is allowed in the USA. Flags of convince become common. Unions weaken at the airlines due to regulatory actions.

Ok i gotta stop I'm depressed!!! It can certainly be a good job. But you said to mention some downside.

Good luck