I'm currently finishing my last year of high school. I've put much thought into aviation and have put together a 4 year plan of what colleges i'll be going to. When i'm done, i'd like to graduate from either southern illinois university or the university of illinois. both have excellent flight programs.

Anyway, I thought I would get some input from guys who have taken the flight path. I still have no concept of how a pilot's life is. Are most pilots paid well? Is it an exciting job? How much free time do you have? How hectic is the competition for pilot jobs? Does the position carry a lot of respect? Basically, does this job become your life, or do you still have lots of time for family and hobbies?

I mostly want to do the job because of my fascination of flight, and also because I wouldn't be able to sit in an office filling out TPS reports all day. With that in mind, does anyone have any advice on what steps I should take if I want to fly large passanger jets one day?

 

Go to college. Join the military. Don't get married and pray.

SkyHigh

 

7th gear:

I'll try to make this short and sweet. Great flying jobs are difficult to come by. There are a lot of pay your dues flying jobs and many folks are in the pipeline to get the best jobs. So yes, it is highly competitive. The pay is not as good as it once was and who knows if it will ever get back to the good old days - probably not. As you ascend through the ranks you will have many days when you ask yourself "what did I get myself into"? Long days, low pay and many nights away from those you love. Don't chase this job looking for respect. If you want respect be a fireman or a doctor. This job can consume your life as you are always looking to go to the next level. Who knows where this career will go over the next 10, 20 or 30 years. As for myself, I am luckier than many and would never want to do anything else. There is nothing like popping out of the cloud tops and witnessing a beautiful sunrise, or seeing another jet pass by within a thousand feet. This career will provide you with things you will never experience anywhere else - good and bad. If you are not driven to do it - look elsewhere, the road is a long hard one. .

 

TPS reports!

"I believe you have my stapler."

 

You won't get anywhere without "paying your dues," either by graduating from flight school and flying for a small commuter company with low pay and bad hours until you can get someone's attention at a major airline or cargo company and get in with them, where you start from the bottom all over again (although at better pay!)

I got my flight experience thru the military (AF for 24 years), which has it's own way of getting its payback from you as well. It all depends on what you eventually want and what you are willing to sacrifice to get there. I have no info on the commuter airline path, but if you have any questions about the military, drop a line.

 

If you get an aviation degree, expect to have approx $60k -$75k in debt when you graduate. You will then go to a regional airline making about $20 an hour. Good luck paying that loan back!

Go the military route. Free flight training if you win a pilot slot.