If being a pilot is so bad...
01-19-2009, 12:34 PM
#31
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: NU Guy
Posts: 437
Originally Posted by hindsight2020
The reality is that when you put rubber to the pavement with respect to these median income calculation for pilots and translate to actual circumstances, the best the median can cumulatively attain is the prayer of a regional CA lifer job that doesn't get furloughed.
87K vs 70K close enough for gov't work I think I'll give myself a pat on the back.
Last edited by Ski Patrol; 01-19-2009 at 12:46 PM.
01-19-2009, 02:22 PM
#32
Snakes & Nape
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: B-767 Captain
Posts: 775
Sliding Downhill
Originally Posted by block30
...then why are so many relatives of professional pilots becoming professional pilots themselves?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
For those that truly love to fly airplanes, it's still not a bad job but with few exceptions, the high paying jobs that afforded 13-15 days of work a month and excellent benefits have vanished through economic factors and truly poor management of assets and resources. If you still want to fly for the pure enjoyment of flying an aircraft, go for it. Just realize that the "job" is a fraction of what it used to be as far as compensation, work rules, benefits and time off is concerned.
Be careful out there !!
G'Day Mates
01-19-2009, 02:27 PM
#33
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Posts: 58
I have a finance degree, no college debt, and worked at the world headquarters of a fortune 500 company out of college as a financial analyst. My salary was 58,000. It was so mind numbingly boring I quit after less then 6 months.
I decided to enroll at a Florida pilot factory and spent 65,000 on my ratings. Excessive, but oh well. In just over two years I was hired at a regional. I flew a turbo prop for a year, fulfilled my contract and then went to the regional of my choice.
I've been at my current regional for just over 2 years. I'm 28 years old. I fly planes that are less then 2 years old. I average between 3,800 and 4,000 bucks a month in pay (per diem included). I have consistently had between 15 and 18 days off for over a year. I am able to get at least 7 days off in a row every month. I only fly day trips and two day trips. I see my wife every single day and we go on a trip of some sort at least once a month. She sometimes joins me on my overnights and we have a blast.
This job rules. To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
I decided to enroll at a Florida pilot factory and spent 65,000 on my ratings. Excessive, but oh well. In just over two years I was hired at a regional. I flew a turbo prop for a year, fulfilled my contract and then went to the regional of my choice.
I've been at my current regional for just over 2 years. I'm 28 years old. I fly planes that are less then 2 years old. I average between 3,800 and 4,000 bucks a month in pay (per diem included). I have consistently had between 15 and 18 days off for over a year. I am able to get at least 7 days off in a row every month. I only fly day trips and two day trips. I see my wife every single day and we go on a trip of some sort at least once a month. She sometimes joins me on my overnights and we have a blast.
This job rules. To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
01-19-2009, 02:31 PM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
I work with plumbers and electricians and I can assure you that the average day is no fun for them. They are cold, wet, muddy and covered in spider webs by the end of the day. They are not having fun but are not totally miserable either. Over time they become accustomed to the job and the day flies by. They do it because it offers a good wage, a lifestyle that is in congress with most others and the promise of a better future.
From my perspective the military offers great pay, benefits and service to your country but all that comes at a huge price.
USMCFLYR
SkyHigh[/quote]
01-19-2009, 04:00 PM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Desk
Posts: 114
A Garbage Man: The Greatest Job I’ve Ever Had | Marc and Angel Hack Life
With the right frame of mind, any career can be enjoyable. There are too many of us that make the reverse a true statement as well.
With the right frame of mind, any career can be enjoyable. There are too many of us that make the reverse a true statement as well.
01-19-2009, 04:18 PM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,383
Originally Posted by boarderdw
To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
01-19-2009, 06:44 PM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: NU Guy
Posts: 437
Originally Posted by boarderdw
I have a finance degree, no college debt, and worked at the world headquarters of a fortune 500 company out of college as a financial analyst. My salary was 58,000. It was so mind numbingly boring I quit after less then 6 months.
I decided to enroll at a Florida pilot factory and spent 65,000 on my ratings. Excessive, but oh well. In just over two years I was hired at a regional. I flew a turbo prop for a year, fulfilled my contract and then went to the regional of my choice.
I've been at my current regional for just over 2 years. I'm 28 years old. I fly planes that are less then 2 years old. I average between 3,800 and 4,000 bucks a month in pay (per diem included). I have consistently had between 15 and 18 days off for over a year. I am able to get at least 7 days off in a row every month. I only fly day trips and two day trips. I see my wife every single day and we go on a trip of some sort at least once a month. She sometimes joins me on my overnights and we have a blast.
This job rules. To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
I decided to enroll at a Florida pilot factory and spent 65,000 on my ratings. Excessive, but oh well. In just over two years I was hired at a regional. I flew a turbo prop for a year, fulfilled my contract and then went to the regional of my choice.
I've been at my current regional for just over 2 years. I'm 28 years old. I fly planes that are less then 2 years old. I average between 3,800 and 4,000 bucks a month in pay (per diem included). I have consistently had between 15 and 18 days off for over a year. I am able to get at least 7 days off in a row every month. I only fly day trips and two day trips. I see my wife every single day and we go on a trip of some sort at least once a month. She sometimes joins me on my overnights and we have a blast.
This job rules. To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
Seriously though I'm glad it's working out for you so far...... I landed my dream job after regional servitude, it almost brought my family to food stamp level due to unfortunate circumstances. Time will tell.
01-19-2009, 07:26 PM
#39
Bracing for Fallacies
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: In favor of good things, not in favor of bad things
Posts: 3,543
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
When people pursue careers that others do as a hobby then you are at a negotiating disadvantage since much of your compensation comes in the form of getting to have fun while at work.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
01-19-2009, 08:25 PM
#40
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Center seat, doing loops to music
Posts: 825
Originally Posted by boarderdw
I have a finance degree, no college debt, and worked at the world headquarters of a fortune 500 company out of college as a financial analyst. My salary was 58,000. It was so mind numbingly boring I quit after less then 6 months.
I decided to enroll at a Florida pilot factory and spent 65,000 on my ratings. Excessive, but oh well. In just over two years I was hired at a regional. I flew a turbo prop for a year, fulfilled my contract and then went to the regional of my choice.
I've been at my current regional for just over 2 years. I'm 28 years old. I fly planes that are less then 2 years old. I average between 3,800 and 4,000 bucks a month in pay (per diem included). I have consistently had between 15 and 18 days off for over a year. I am able to get at least 7 days off in a row every month. I only fly day trips and two day trips. I see my wife every single day and we go on a trip of some sort at least once a month. She sometimes joins me on my overnights and we have a blast.
This job rules. To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
I decided to enroll at a Florida pilot factory and spent 65,000 on my ratings. Excessive, but oh well. In just over two years I was hired at a regional. I flew a turbo prop for a year, fulfilled my contract and then went to the regional of my choice.
I've been at my current regional for just over 2 years. I'm 28 years old. I fly planes that are less then 2 years old. I average between 3,800 and 4,000 bucks a month in pay (per diem included). I have consistently had between 15 and 18 days off for over a year. I am able to get at least 7 days off in a row every month. I only fly day trips and two day trips. I see my wife every single day and we go on a trip of some sort at least once a month. She sometimes joins me on my overnights and we have a blast.
This job rules. To those of you who are choosing to walk away, all I can say is I'm sorry about your timing or the airline you chose to fly for. You should have had higher standards or you should have been more patient. Trust me, the grass IS NOT greener on the other side.
Sure, if I could bid day trips from my home and have a guarantee my base wasn't gonna fold like a cheap suit yesterday I'd be happier than a pig in sh%t, but that's not the case for me nor for you in the long run, and it must certainly was not the product of your higher-than-average situational awareness on the economic intricacies of the airline business (the self-admitted 65K paying career changer). I wouldn't call the situation you encounter yourself in iron clad, more like a moving target waiting to burn that lawn up. And you're inciting karma at the 3 year point of your airline stint? LOL You are another exemplification of those who decry the argument while not yet having been truly confronted with the very opportunity costs you dismiss. Thanks for reiterating my point. That said I sincerely wish you good timing, if not for your ego for the sake of your family's future. Good luck.
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