Airline Pilot Central Forums - Yet another career change thread :)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmyz80 (Post 401168)

Now I know I can't base my life on the on the input from an internet message board and should really follow my dreams, but hear me out. :)

I grew up in an aviation family, with a father who did some flight training back in the '50s and then went on to be a machinist for UAL at SFO for almost 40 years. I used to walk through the maintenance bases with him at SFO back when security was lax, and have always had a passion for aviation. Somehow back when I was considering college, I guess I was under the impression that the only way into the pilots seat was via the military. Had I known otherwise I may have done some things differently.

Long story short, I have a four year engineering degree from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and currently work as an engineer for Cisco Systems here in San Jose, CA. I'm 28, make a salary in the low six figures, live pretty comfortably, but I'm really looking for change. And before you jump all over me, six figures doesn't get you much out here...I could never dream of buying a single family home on my income alone unless I could make it elsewhere.

In March 2007 I started working on a PPL at a local flying club mainly as a hobby, and with the hopes that it could eventually turn into a career at some point. I'm starting to really think that I'd like to ramp up my training efforts and take stab at a flying career more than I had originally anticipated.

My main questions are the following:

-For someone who is a quick learner, and already has a four year degree under their belt, how long (best and worst case) could it take to get hired with a regional, move to a major commercial or cargo, and make a decent above average wage? Am I talking 5 years after I earn all my ratings...10? :) Remember also that I'm more than happy to leave CA, so an above average wage is relative to wherever I'd be moving to.

-How does the living situation work when entering this career? When you start work for a regional, do you pretty much have to pack up and move wherever they dictate, or is it usually doable while staying put? Are there desirable places to live which would give the most options for both regionals, and transitioning to a major? Generally is it a safe bet to locate near one of the major hub airports, like DFW for example?

-Aside from breaking into the majors, what other paths can be taken that are financially lucrative, and not a dead-end? Does flying for a corporate outfit work out pretty well, or is it on par with flying for a regional? What are the ups (no-pun intended) and downs of working for a cargo carrier vs working for a commercial airline?

Basically I've done my reading and understand the ****storm I'll be stepping into for a period of my life, making under 1/5 what I currently do. I'm just trying to figure out whether the light at the end of the tunnel is worth it, and which direction I'd want to head.

Thanks so much in advance for any guidance you can provide!
--James

Don't take something you love and turn it into a "JOB" I too am 28 and what I would give for a "low six figure income". How would you like to be making an average of 40k for the next 8 years at a regional then when you get lucky enough to get a job with CAL, UAL after piling up debt for the first year (LIKE SO MANY HAVE), then guess what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay Furloughs in the fall. Go to work to make money, fly on the weekends..............

That being said I wont quit until I am either at CAL, SWA, UPS, or FEDEX, preferably SWA.

I say I would give anything for $100,000.00 a year but M-F 9-5 is for suckers I can hold day trips and 17-18 days off a month :). Of course I will be an F/O here forever and living on $50,000.00 a year is tough n the Northeast, but life is way to precious to spend in an office, even if you make a lot of money enjoying all that it can buy for 2 days week is BS

OIL WILL NOT STAY THIS HIGH............. Don't base your future career on todays economic environment. Airline will figure it out, or the government will for them.

If you want to fly, then do it. But forget about the money. 100k will be nearly impossible at the airlines for years. There is a possibitly you'll never make that much in an aviation career.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Utah (Post 401287)

If you want to fly, then do it. But forget about the money. 100k will be nearly impossible at the airlines for years. There is a possibitly you'll never make that much in an aviation career.

I don't know why people say that, its not "nearly impossible" at all....................

SAAB,

You are right, 100k is very attainable. My friend has been flying for Skywest for seven years, and makes around 110K. He knows how to work the schedule, and still has a ton of days off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickdb (Post 401351)

SAAB,

You are right, 100k is very attainable. My friend has been flying for Skywest for seven years, and makes around 110K. He knows how to work the schedule, and still has a ton of days off.

Problem is, your buddy is going to retire at 65 from Skywest still making 100k. It won't buy much by then.

Jimmy: Do not even consider becoming a pilot. Whether you do or don't, doesn't affect me at all, but unless you can live at your parents house for the next 10 plus years, on and off again, then forget it. The money blows and it will never come back to the pax side of things. Very few barriers to entry (for the airlines) and the internet equals very low wages for pax pilots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyHigh (Post 401269)

Let it go and forget it.

Don't let the sour grapes get you. I think that's rather invasive and presumptive ... everyone has their own value systems.

That said, things will be very tough depending on your values. Like you said, ****storm and pay cuts. Guaranteed. With the impending furloughs all kinds of things are in flux. There are companies, including mine that have just hired, are hiring, have new aircraft, and have aircraft on order. I've had setbacks and lost a huge chunk of lifetime earnings, and am very happy where I am. I have substantial pay bumps already lined up and am positive future opportunities will be more than adequate if I choose to pursue them.

This business is very much timing, networking, and presentation. While it is who you know, who you know could be the person whose hand you just shook for the first time.

Quote:

you'll probably realize that the glamour of airline piloting is mostly illusion

That is something worth considering. Whether it's the TSA or the pax or the CEO or his kids, someone's gonna be testing your patience. I have had more second thoughts based on this than on the money. (Haven't flown cargo ...) But my non aviation work has had many of the same issues without the satisfaction of flying to balance it.

I'd seriously consider taking your engineer work anywhere where your money buys you more, including savings. Probably could be somewhat scientific about that. Offset as much aviation training as possible with a lower cost of living ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickdb (Post 401351)

has been flying for Skywest for seven years

I'm positive ... and will remain so ... but it's important to distinguish between someone who has 0 TT today and someone who's already burning jet fuel. That's the real 100k question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickdb (Post 401351)

SAAB,

You are right, 100k is very attainable. My friend has been flying for Skywest for seven years, and makes around 110K. He knows how to work the schedule, and still has a ton of days off.

I'm year 9 on the payscale at SkyWest. Last year I averaged 105 hours of credit a month and still didn't break six figures. I typically picked up 2-3 days of additional flying above my awarded schedule and this included around 50 hours at time and a half last year. This year I'm not picking up anything extra and I won't come close to 100K.

Is it possible to work the system and make 110-120 in the seven year range with a lot of time off. Sure, but it's not typical, and this year will be even harder with the overstaffing. Time and a half has for the most part dissapeared, lines are built to lower credit now, and everyone is looking for stuff to pick up. Put a 5 hour local or standup on the swap board and it disapears in minutes, last year it could be on there for days and may not have been picked up.

Living on 100K+ in Cali is better than 20-30K elsewhere in the U.S. If you want to pursue your ratings, do so. Don't give up the golden goose in the meantime though! I'd find out where your company's hangar is and go talk to their pilots. Maybe if you network right, you could slide in there down the road. Better yet, buy a Pitts, Stearman, Cub, etc., and fly for the pure enjoyment of it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slice (Post 401442)

I agree, nothing in the world compares to an early morning flight in a Cub, no doors, no radio, no ATC.....................its amazing.

Nothing more aggravating then missing important LIFE EVENTS becuase your ground stopped to Newark, or get Junior manned over a Holiday weekend.............