Need insight from experienced pilots
 

Hello everybody.
I'm 20 years old and I'm in the Air National Guard of Ohio. I'm going to be leaving for my basic and tech school in March.
I went to college for a year and dropped out after realizing the expense of schooling and the benefits of the National Guard.
I have a $20,000 signing bonus, 100% of tuition paid for, the GI Bill and the Kicker as well.
I've had aspirations of becoming a pilot since I can remember, hopefully flying for a major airliner or a corporate jet.
Basically I'm about to take a shot in the dark unless you guys can help me out.
If you could let me know what kind of pay to expect these days, a typical work schedule, and how fun it is to pay off loans I'd greatly appreciate it.

When I was in school I took aviation as my major and heard a lot of mixed reviews. Most of the instructors had military training. I was told about pilots making $150K and I signed up.

Please help me out here, I'd one day like to own a bit of land and have a family. Is this going to be a diffculty?

What information you graciously give me is going to help me decide whether I want to be a pilot or a professor.
Please be 100% honest, I need all the pros and cons I can get. Basically let me know if you are content where you are, and tell me everything about being a pilot you can manage to type.

Thanks a Million.
Benson

You have a LOT of reading to do, this forum is a good place to start. Here's a few things to think about...

1. Get your 4-year degree. Period. And you might as well do it first. This will be important in life in general, as well as aviation. If you are positive you wish to fly professionally, consider a degree program which includes flight training...there are a few good ones and some bad ones out there.

2. If you can possibly get a military fixed-wing pilot slot, do so. You'll need the degree first, and being in the ANG will help.

3. The pilot career normally progresses through several phases...

- Training: You pay for all of this, it will take 1-2 years normally.
- Flight Instructor/Light Aviation: You teach and/or fly small propellor airplanes for very little money, and may work a poor schedule. 1-2 years.
- Regional Airline Pilot: You fly turbo-props or small jets for 4-10+ years. The pay is poor to marginal for most regional pilots, but the schedule may allow you 15 days off/month after you acquire some seniority.

Everything up until this point is "dues-paying" where you are working for less compensation and putting up with more BS than the job is worth in order to acquire experience, which might pay off if you move to final level...

- Major Airlines (includes FedEx and UPS). You fly larger jets. The money and schedule will be poor to mediocre in the beginning, but you might make $150K+ after 3-15 years.

- Corporate Flying. Some folks prefer flying small corporate jets instead of airline flying...the pay varies wildly, but there a handful of really good corporate jobs to be had (it's all based on who you know).

4. You will probably have to move numerous times during your career.

5. If you fly in the military, all of your training is payed for, and you will probably be able to skip all the "dues-paying" jobs and go directly to a major airline when you leave the service (you can always stay in the guard or reserves). Actually the BEST way to become an airline pilot is to fly in the ANG (or maybe USAFR) and pursue a civilian flying career in parallel.

6. If you just want to make $150K/year, there are MANY ways to do that which are faster and easier than commercial flying. PhD's in the hard science fields can get this kind of pay in industry, government, or even academia.

7. Don't major in aviation, unless it is aero engineering.

8. If you decide to major in avation, pick up a BS or BA degree in something non aviation related first, then transfer those credits toward a degree in aviation. Most colleges will give you LOTS of credit for coursework, and in some cases flight ratings toward the aviation major. I did a double major this way (sort of), earning a BA at Cal State and then picking up a BS in Pro Aero at Embry Riddle. I only needed 10 classes (30 units) for my degree at Embry, mostly to meet residencey requirements at the college.

If you're in flying for the money, better look somewhere else, just my 2-cents.

Agreed 100%. Only get into this profession if you enjoy flying. Timing and luck play a big part whether you make it to the "big time". Some will make it, others will not.

You already have a pretty good source of information readily available. Get to know the pilots in your ANG unit and ask lots of questions.

What it takes
 

I would say that it takes desire, luck and politics. If any part of the puzzle is missing then you are at a major disadvantage.


SkyHigh

What's wrong with a degree in Aviation Management from a major university such as Auburn? It seems like a great degree in the business school. I'm able to do my flight training with the flight school and get elective credit towards the degree. I expect it to make a great back up plan to my aspirations of flying professionally. You know, in the event I lost my medical or something...

Some people here go the route of a professional flight management degree, which is another degree from the business school. However, there are fewer business related courses in the degree in comparison to aviation management, so it doesn't seem like it would hold up as well in a post-flight career.

Thoughts?