Just from a view point of the pilot's who made it? Will it ever end of having to scrape change for gas and rent, eat raman noodles and peanut butter sandwiches, and not having to work 3 jobs? I know that I will not make a fortune, but I'd like to be able to pay the phone and electric bills both in the same month and to not starve... At least I have my Comm/Instrument so the most financialy straining portion of my training is over.

 

Short answer is no. I've been doing this for a living for 28 years. Made 6 figures for the last 8 years or so. Company went out of business the begining of this year, 6 months on unemployment and looks like another 3 on "training pay" at a new job. I'll be lucky to get to 5 figures this year.

 

I was just starting to make ends meet after doing this flying thing as a "professional" for 4 years. Got furloughed.

If I move up fast enough to where I'm paying the bills in my new (non flying) job I might not come back.

 

... so whats the moral of the story?

not to fly for a career?

 

Are you joking here? Scrape for gas and rent...??? Ramen???

So what!? This is the career that you've chosen... your money is how you manage it!!! If you don't think you have enough... try investing it or getting another job or not taking out loans.... America is waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy better off than most countries... at least you can pursue your dream to fly!!!!!! Scrape to pay for Gas? Gas is what.... a dollar more than a couple years ago? So what!!!

I pay the bills just fine, I have a car that's paid off.... I don't eat out all the time but things are good! No loans... and every rating that others have gotten through taking out ridiculous loans for.

Starve!?!?!?!? honestly here, America isn't the horn of Africa!! We have the ability to pursue whatever we want to... whatever that career may be and the pay thereof.

 

I'll let you know when I've "made it."