I won't deny there's a lot of nerve grating stupid little things about being a pilot for living. In the last 5 pages people have probably covered most of the the top 10% of that list, I'm sure there's plenty more. I took two years off from this industry after my last regional beat my love of flying out me. During that two years I learned how much I disliked working for a living. To me, flying isn't work, it's something I enjoy tremendously. The fact that I've tricked someone into paying me to do it is a bonus, and lends creibility to my argument that "this is my job" when I have to deal with a DDPR (dreaded domestic progress report) while on the road. I'm lucky because I enjoy what I do. In my mind, what I do is just plain cool and that makes it worthwhile to me.

Hey just look at the software aisle next time you're in wally world- there's only a few careers that people pay money to pretend to have. Pilot, Military, and of course CIA mutant zombie slayer!!! If this is where your heart is, I say go for it.

 

And this, my friends, is why pilots will make less and less. We're so lucky they pay us to do this.

 

To me, this is probably one of the strongest arguments against getting involved with airline flying. Being away from home so much kills me (especially right now, because I'm leaving home for 5 days at a time to sit reserve) and I don't even have kids. But my wife and I are planning to have children within the next few years, so what then? Maybe I'll have a better seniority number and a better schedule. But I still won't make enough money to support a family until I upgrade.... and then QOL goes back down to where I am today, unless I wait it out as an FO for a number of years.... making an FO's income all that time.

But let's just pretend for a moment that being away from home didn't matter so much. These are some other questions I would ask myself:

Am I planning to put my children through college? Are those educations already funded? (You are not likely to make enough money to contribute to this for many years. If you have outside sources of income, or are financially independent, perhaps you don't need to worry about this as much.)

Does my wife make enough money to support our household spending? If she's working (or has to take a job at some point), who will take care of the kids? (Especially if you're only home 12 days per month.)

Is my retirement plan sufficiently funded to keep me on par with my goals? (You are not likely to be capable of making substantial contributions for many years. If you have outside sources of income, or are financially independent, perhaps you don't need to worry about this as much.)

My answers to these questions (and other like questions) have provoked my interest in closing the Aviation Career chapter of my life.

If you decide to "take the plunge" (double entendre intended), probably the single thing you can do to improve your quality of life substantially is live in base. Commuting is no fun. (Especially, as I mentioned above, when you are commuting to reserve.) When you live in base, you can be at home with the family on reserve. In addition, you will be in a better position to pick up premium pay trips which can improve your earning potential. Most of the time, I've found that difficult or impossible as a commuter.

 

I can think of other career fields where many people will accept almost any standard of living just to "be there" and hope for the big break. One is show business -- that's why Actors Equity and the SAG were formed. Other than enforcing a modest minimum pay scale, I don't know how effective they have been for the average actor. Another is professional sports, but their healthy minimum pay scales don't apply to minor-league players, most of whom need second jobs. Of course, neither of these career fields require spending thousands of dollars or years of military service for training, and these workers are not responsible for the safety of human lives.

 

Sidebar / Movie reference:

I thought is was the Film Actors Guild.

 

The time away from home is a real deal breaker. Just think of all the great moments with your family that you will miss. Being junior on the seniority list with no vacation for the first few years will be tough. You need to have a strong spouse who has lots of extra time and money. ADD to the list - Very forgiving and understanding.

If you work and live in the same place life will be much better. Think of all the extra time you are away from commuting. Even if you only spend 5hrs on either side of the trip getting home it adds up at four trips a month. 40hrs(1.6 days) a month x 12= 19.2 days. That's being conservative for a normal commute. I would say that you would spend an extra month away from home commuting. Granted some times you run over to the plane after your last leg and get right on. But other times you miss the last flight out, get bumped on the first three flights in the morning just as snow storm hits. All this while your wife is calling telling you that a kid just went to the hospital and the toilet is overflowing. That is not worth the 20k you will make that year.

Is your life really worth that little? Sorry bad rant here but I hate hearing how people think that this commuting business is so easy. Without a family and responsibilities it could be a lot more fun.

 

Also one more thing I've noticed. The "majors that people think their going to after that 1000pic are shrinking. If things continue the majors will only be flying the profitable international routes and the domestic flying will all be contract(regional airlines).

 

Great point! Yes we love it, but a professional pilot really does earn more than they actually get paid. While this is great fun, it takes a lot of hard work to get there and maintain it. Pilots should be paid accordingly!

 

I love my job because:

even from 17,000 (the mighty Saab has a hard time getting above there when it's got pax) the view is pretty spectacular

no matter how many times you do the exact same flight, it's ALWAYS different

when the weather gets socked in, it brings in challenging situations that make you stay on your toes (as I like to call it "1.5 hours of boredom followed by 5 minutes of sheer terror")

talking sh*t and making jokes with the captain about random stuff and having "that's what she said comments" to see who can come up with the most creative ones ... and getting paid to do it!

doing what I love and getting paid for it ... enough said

 

I like my job because....

1. See all of the above by CAPTAIN152

2. Being part of the "system" and the complete satisfaction of a job well done after every flight

3. Jumpseat / non-rev benefits

4. I'm losing weight! (Colgan diet plan)


I dislike my job because....

1. The pay is ridiculously low

2. I have to wear a hat that never seems to fit my head and looks dorky

3. Captains that moan and whine about everything (the majority are great though)

4. Delays by certain rampers or other incompetent people that could be completely avoided