Starting my aviation career, please respond.
08-22-2006 | 01:08 PM
#11
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
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If you don't want to starve for a while this career isn't for you.
As an flight instructor you'll make 10K if your really lucky.
As an entry level commercial pilot (commuters) you'll make 18-20k.
Not to mention have an unstable future.
I'm sure you've read all this on the forums-these things shouldn't be a big surprise.
Keep in mind this is just a job like and other and the charm will wear off.
You just have to go with your gut and stand by your desicion.
As an flight instructor you'll make 10K if your really lucky.
As an entry level commercial pilot (commuters) you'll make 18-20k.
Not to mention have an unstable future.
I'm sure you've read all this on the forums-these things shouldn't be a big surprise.
Keep in mind this is just a job like and other and the charm will wear off.
You just have to go with your gut and stand by your desicion.
08-22-2006 | 01:28 PM
#12
On Reserve
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
That's what I am grappling with...I would absolutely love being a pilot, but there are other things I would like doing as well, so I can always fly for fun. I would have serious trouble taking that much of a pay cut to fly (if the 10K figure is accurate...I make three times that in an entry-level job right now...I can't imagine regressing to that level of pay).
For me the stakes seem high because the money I saved can provide the flight training or a Masters degree in another field that I also find interesting. I am just having trouble choosing which direction to go...I am going to have to do some soul-searching over the next couple of months.
For me the stakes seem high because the money I saved can provide the flight training or a Masters degree in another field that I also find interesting. I am just having trouble choosing which direction to go...I am going to have to do some soul-searching over the next couple of months.
Last edited by Smooth_Landing; 08-22-2006 at 01:30 PM.
08-22-2006 | 02:39 PM
#13
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,864
Likes: 663
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
If you don't want to starve for a while this career isn't for you.
As an flight instructor you'll make 10K if your really lucky.
As an entry level commercial pilot (commuters) you'll make 18-20k.
Not to mention have an unstable future.
I'm sure you've read all this on the forums-these things shouldn't be a big surprise.
Keep in mind this is just a job like and other and the charm will wear off.
You just have to go with your gut and stand by your desicion.
As an flight instructor you'll make 10K if your really lucky.
As an entry level commercial pilot (commuters) you'll make 18-20k.
Not to mention have an unstable future.
I'm sure you've read all this on the forums-these things shouldn't be a big surprise.
Keep in mind this is just a job like and other and the charm will wear off.
You just have to go with your gut and stand by your desicion.
CFI: $25-35K+
As a CFI you want to avoid working for $10/hr for a sleepy school with few students. Either work for $10/hr at a pilot factory (where you have lots of students) or freelance at an FBO where you can charge $30/hr and drum up you own work.
Regional FO:
Year 1: $25-30K
Year 2: $35-45K
Last edited by rickair7777; 08-22-2006 at 02:42 PM.
08-23-2006 | 04:54 PM
#15
Self Employed.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 7,120
Likes: 0
From: Corporate Pilot
Luck
Not exactly right, these are worst case numbers. If you are agressive and can relocate to chase the best opportunities these are realistic pay scales:
CFI: $25-35K+
As a CFI you want to avoid working for $10/hr for a sleepy school with few students. Either work for $10/hr at a pilot factory (where you have lots of students) or freelance at an FBO where you can charge $30/hr and drum up you own work.
Regional FO:
Year 1: $25-30K
Year 2: $35-45K
CFI: $25-35K+
As a CFI you want to avoid working for $10/hr for a sleepy school with few students. Either work for $10/hr at a pilot factory (where you have lots of students) or freelance at an FBO where you can charge $30/hr and drum up you own work.
Regional FO:
Year 1: $25-30K
Year 2: $35-45K
SkyHigh
08-24-2006 | 06:11 AM
#16
On Reserve
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
So do you recommend against this career path SkyHigh? I have known some people to be quite succesful with it (my brother's flight instructor was hired by Delta a couple years ago and even though they are bankrupt I know he enjoys his job...)
08-24-2006 | 07:52 AM
#17
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
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It can take a lot of luck and determination to find those kinds of CFI jobs. In my opinion the 10-16K is a more common experience. I wouldn't bank on much else. In addition it can be very expensive to live near those higher volume schools in the big city. The high pay can be absorbed by the higher costs of living and moving.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
08-24-2006 | 08:21 AM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From: Any seat that pays
Yeah right
Not exactly right, these are worst case numbers. If you are agressive and can relocate to chase the best opportunities these are realistic pay scales:
CFI: $25-35K+
As a CFI you want to avoid working for $10/hr for a sleepy school with few students. Either work for $10/hr at a pilot factory (where you have lots of students) or freelance at an FBO where you can charge $30/hr and drum up you own work.
Regional FO:
Year 1: $25-30K
Year 2: $35-45K
CFI: $25-35K+
As a CFI you want to avoid working for $10/hr for a sleepy school with few students. Either work for $10/hr at a pilot factory (where you have lots of students) or freelance at an FBO where you can charge $30/hr and drum up you own work.
Regional FO:
Year 1: $25-30K
Year 2: $35-45K
You can pump'em up with those figures all you want but few and far between.
Don't get me wrong I love flying but it sure is a lousy gig when you just get started. Most of these newbies don't wanta pay there due, don't wanta struggle, and definitly don't want a starve- not even for a week.
Let's say they even gotta gig paying that much to start. Well, how about the 60-100k note? rent? food? GAS? Kids? Mortgage? Spouse? Utilities?
This is not being explained to new comers to the industry as they are signing their name on the line with the co-signers while smiling at the 777 cockpit picture on the wall.
There's a difference between being positive and dellusions of gradure.
Now I wish I could share this gleeful vision of the aviation industry, but my mama told me never to lie.
08-24-2006 | 09:30 AM
#19
On Reserve
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 19
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Sure there are tough aspects of it like anything else...
I think it is a great chance for people like me with no kids, no marriage to speak of, ability to put that debt on FAFSA with great interest rates (if I go the TSTC route), a side business that generates about $1600 in residuals each month. All With the ed deferment all I need to worry about while I instruct is rent, gas and food. Plus, if the entire career falls I fall back on my accounting degree....
I definetly think that it can be done. I know people scratching out livings as artists and musicians in very expensive cities...talk about starve. Pay $120,000 to go to the Rhode Island School of Design and end up being a starving artist.
I just can't believe its as bleak as you paint it...
I think it is a great chance for people like me with no kids, no marriage to speak of, ability to put that debt on FAFSA with great interest rates (if I go the TSTC route), a side business that generates about $1600 in residuals each month. All With the ed deferment all I need to worry about while I instruct is rent, gas and food. Plus, if the entire career falls I fall back on my accounting degree....
I definetly think that it can be done. I know people scratching out livings as artists and musicians in very expensive cities...talk about starve. Pay $120,000 to go to the Rhode Island School of Design and end up being a starving artist.
I just can't believe its as bleak as you paint it...
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