Should I become a Pilot?
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,199
One question. What exactly is your problem? Tons of people want to enter the field because it was their dream job. However, very few of them started taking flight lessons at 11 and got serious about it. How many people who get MBAs actually get to be a rich businessman? No career is easy, unless I want to be a secretary or something.
As far as schooling, GET AN ENGINEERING DEGREE. Aviation degrees are worthless outside of aviation. If you decide down the road to get out, you lose your medial, whatever, that degree will be your safety net. Plus as an engineer you're make 4-5 times more in the 10 years after college than you will as a starving pilot (military not included). With that pay you can buy your own plane and fly on your own time.
Just my opinion, and I started at the same age as you.
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,233
Future is bright because of the shortage. You just need to know what you are worth.
Executives will tell you that we worked for nothing.
Don't listen, stay strong and make sure in 2020's your pay and benefits are at least trippled from today's.
Good luck, learn from the best, don't listen to complainers, have class and constantly improve yourself.
Executives will tell you that we worked for nothing.
Don't listen, stay strong and make sure in 2020's your pay and benefits are at least trippled from today's.
Good luck, learn from the best, don't listen to complainers, have class and constantly improve yourself.
#24
I appreciate the responses, and I think I've made a decision. I don't think my parents would ever let me join the air force, so I guess that means the military route is out of the question. I want to be a pilot. However, I would like to say that I know this is a tough career. What career isn't? I don't have an innocent view either, my cousin is a pilot for a company. I know that the hours suck, and that the pay in the beginning sucks too. That being said, I like it. I like it enough to overcome those parts, and I really like the idea of just flying packages. That way I don't have to worry about people. Too many people get crazy on commercial flights. I just have to tell this to my academic advisory when I have to meet with them. I also have to find a good college to get a doctorate in engineering. I guess I have to explain to all my friends why I don't want to be a businessman or a lawyer (college prep school joke). Thanks for helping me out, and not letting me get that crappy aviation degree.
Someone should introduce him to Roger Cohen, I think he would put this on the cover of the RAA website.
#25
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2010
Position: Student
Posts: 56
I have no problem with people wanting to make a living in aviation... more power to you, for some it works out, for some it doesn't, worked out for me so I encourage others...
But the following is a MAJOR problem with the attitudes going into this industry.
I'm not willing to flip burgers for 16K/year much less fly a jet for that much.
But the following is a MAJOR problem with the attitudes going into this industry.
I'm not willing to flip burgers for 16K/year much less fly a jet for that much.
#26
I would recommend getting a degree in engineering (since you are interested in it) and pursue aviation as well. A degree in aviation doesn't really qualify you for much outside of the field. The aviation industry is very cyclic and you are almost guaranteed to hit a bump in the road during a piloting career and having a backup plan that is viable/enjoyable is a great asset!
Continue flying and go for the gold ring there isn't a career like ours anywhere...... I love flying halfway around the globe to have breakfast in NRT with some of my best friends!
Continue flying and go for the gold ring there isn't a career like ours anywhere...... I love flying halfway around the globe to have breakfast in NRT with some of my best friends!
#27
Banned
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: Window Seat
Posts: 1,430
Im quite the opposite, flipping burgers isnt something I would enjoy at any salary. I think alot of people who make aviation a career would agree its a field for those who truely have a passion for it. Why else do they go through hell for such low salary? Those who quickly realise being a pilot is not for them usually are out within the first few years. If I had to working for 16,000 a year I would probly would rather fly and building hours rather than flip burgers or sweep and mop floors. Besides 16,000 isnt going to leave me broke I have a wife who works and a few investments I made while I was deployed.
I don't care how much passion you have if you don't have the desire to command a respectable salary for the time and effort you put forth to become (in this case) a commercial pilot then you've simply got stars in your eyes and are as gullible as a "teenager in love".
#29
16k for your first few years, how do you know if it will increase in a few years. What would happen if management KNEW they could get replacements for 16k all the time. Would you be ****ed if I applied to where you work for 10k and you get laid off? I'm willing to work for 10k for a few years.
#30
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: Furloughed -8
Posts: 71
16k for your first few years, how do you know if it will increase in a few years. What would happen if management KNEW they could get replacements for 16k all the time. Would you be ****ed if I applied to where you work for 10k and you get laid off? I'm willing to work for 10k for a few years.
The long term effects of having great technology not backed up by pilot skills is airplane accidents. Technology will fail occasionally and if our society chooses not to have an experienced pilot behind the control when it does then, well then I guess that is a flaw of our society. Expect fatalities.
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