This site is depressing...
 

But, it also offers an invaluable perspective to any would-be pilot. I was kicking around the idea of pursuing a piloting career because I've long dreamed of doing such. However, this site opened my eyes to the brutal reality of the U.S. aviation industry and its employment propects. I had no idea the industry, as a whole, suffered from such systemic dysfunction. It's really quite sad -- pilots are HIGHLY trained professionals and should be compensated as such. You take on debts equal to that of many medical professionals and get paid less than the high school drop-out schmuck mopping the floor at the local gas station. Regardless, I still have an immense amount of respect for what you guys do and I'll make sure to buy one of you a latte the next time I'm at the airport.

P.s. I still plan on getting my PPL though. :)

If you have long dreamed of becoming a pilot and you have the means to do it, go for it. Get your PPL, see if you really enjoy flying, then take a look at how things are going with the profession. This year, in my opinion, is going to be a very interesting year.

www.thetruthabouttheprofession.weebly.com

I will admit there a lot of dommers and gloomers on this sight , some of it is true and some of it is exaggerated lies from angry people who all have unique stories. Depending on the type of person you are I feel many can make the best of it and make it where they want to go.

As said above , if your dream was to fly then get some of your ratings , and see how the business is at that point . Who knows maybe in due time it will be for you.

I haven't been 100# pleased with the way my life as a pilot has been so far . But I have had many great and pleasurable experiences to go with it , and I don't regret my choices in any way. I do feel that it will work out for those who do their part to get that. Those who just wait are sometimes the ones complaining the most.

IMO a flying career only seems bleak if your goal is to become major airline pilot because there's only so much movement and room at the airlines and the ones with the best pay and QOL are going to have hyper competition at app time.

There's a whole other world out there between freight, charter, fractional and corporate.

Best of luck!

As someone who is going through training on the military side, I can tell you that this site offers a lot of good information and can definitely help you make the best decisions if you do decide to pursue this career, even if much of what you read on here is not what you want to hear. It's better you get insight into the career now, before you make your own investment into the career.

Hey Skyhigh, like the new name. :rolleyes:

Definitely not him, but I must admit his posts are cogent. I really think he has a point, at least for the average joe footing the bill for their education. It's really hard to justify six figure debt for a pauper's life.

I don't quite get the David Allen Coe reference, but have listened to a good bit of his music. :D

Just like Sky pushing the six figure number. It is possible to spend that much money, but it is also easy to get it done for much, much cheaper.

Please do explain -- I'm genuinely curious.