So I have been looking around the forums and what people are saying definitely does not make the airline pilot career path very appealing. Low pay, furlough, pilot oversupply ... yada, yada, yada ... I've heard it all.

With this said, its what I have wanted to do my entire life. With the compensation set aside, how is this career? Here my story:

I am 24 years old and live in Michigan. I have just finished my BS in Business Administration and am currently working full time and most likely making more money per year than what everyone is saying about regional FO's. But I'm not satisfied with it. I am also married, and own a home.

Though I love my life, I miss flying. My wife tells me to go for it which definitely makes me feel better considering the debt I am about to incur if I move forward with this. But I need some direction .. I can't do ATP Flight School because I have a life and have to keep working full-time (and it's ridiculously overpriced). With this said, I am thinking about just gaining my PPL, Instrument, Commercial, and CFI here at our local airport; most likely Part 141.

I would assume after I get my certs, I just instruct and maybe "fly on the side" to gain hours? I know its the "long route" but that seems to be the only practical way considering my other real-world obligations.


Let me know your thoughts, I'd be interested to hear what you all have to say.

 

Your thinking is sound. Get the PPL, do some more flying, then see if you want to move on. All of the "practical" routes (including military pilot training, if you're interested in that), are long, but you have plenty of time. Good Luck!

 

It works only if you are well prepared financially to take the low pay and austere working conditions for a few years. Flying professionally will be tortuous at the entry level if you have debts in tow and a family to take care of.

You should put flying back in your life immediately, but save the career change decision for later. Much later.

As Tom says, you are going about it the right way. I had an eye towards flying professionally beginning in about 2004, and was not able to do it full time until 2009. Even then I felt I should go back to my standby career of engineering, although craving adventure brought me back to flying again last year. Currently I am flying full time and largely enjoying it, although it still amazes me how low the pay is. Indeed it is a long haul if you do not throw loose cash at the problem. Concentrate on economical flight training at this point, and in 5 years you will be eligible for an airline job and without the debt that so often ruins one.

 

A great man once said, "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."

RIP JB

 

What is it that you love, flying, going where you want, being able to turn left or right, flying when you want, etc, or is it being an airline pilot, flying a schedule, going to the same places, going on several day trips, etc?

Flying does not = being an airline pilot.

There are dozens upon dozens, if not hundreds, of ways to work in flying without being an airline pilot. So, is it being an airline pilot that you're dreaming of, or flying on your own terms?

 

Seriously, whatever you do, follow these rules and you'll be OK.

Rule #1: DO NOT incur any debt in order to get a flying job.

Rule #2: When/if in doubt, refer to Rule #1.

 

What's your concerns other than the low salary? Can your wife support you financially for the first years?

 

Cubdriver,

What do you think about the possibility of flying professionally while working as an engineer (or consultant) part-time? With your schedule, do you think that it's feasible?

Lately, I've been tossing the idea around in my head obviously due to the large salary hit. I am currently studying for my patent agent license (and working on my advanced ratings), thinking that it may be a decent part-time and mobile job to have while flying. Thanks for any insight!

 

What makes you happy? Conversation with wife tonight - "I tell people how lucky your are. Thirty plus years of flying and you still enjoy your job and you make good money on top of it."

Everyone's career will be different. The next 20 yrs will be different than the last twenty years. Figure out what you can expect from your career and decide if you want to take the chance. Nothing is guaranteed.

Good luck.

 

JamesNoBrakes, you are exactly right! Personally, I just love being able to fly when I want and to have control of the cockpit. You made a good point though because I don't necessarily NEED to be an "airline pilot". I guess it is somewhat assumed that all individual need to become airline pilots in order to support a family given the low salaries; which is probably the case if that is ALL your going to do.

I am definitely considering just gaining my PPL and Instrument just to go up and enjoy ... and still have a full time job elsewhere.