Relevance
 

All this chatter reminds me of a conversation I once had with an on duty NYC police officer. He told me that he was able to hire on to the force at 18 and now was approaching 38. As an average foot officer on the beat he was preparing to receive a full 20 year retirement, move to the country and open a fly fishing shop. His annual retirement would pay him over 60 thousand for the rest of his life.

After watching that Frontline story I don't see how it will be possible for an average pilot to do as well. Even an enlisted person who puts in 20 years can receive a retirement by 38. By 38 most pilots are reaching their first real equitable form of employment and probably have to face a furlough or two.

If you stop and honestly look carefully at the facts of a career as an airline pilot you will be horrified. It is no wonder these old timers are fighting for changes to the age 60 rule. They most likely are broke.

I wish I could continue this however I have a house to paint. :)

SkyHigh

Deferred gratification
 

True statement, but it applies to all career fields, not just aviation.



Right again, but a college education greatly increases your chance of success, especially if you want to "rely on yourself", increase your career options, and enrich your life. Good luck! :)

Apples to apples
 

we could play this game with many different careers and income streams. I like to use police and fire since it is something we all can relate to and the evidence is easily verifiable on line. Actually a lot of failed pilots move on to become police officers and are very happy. One of my friends was an F16 guy in the 90's and now is a sheriffs deputy.

As pilots we can commute and love to overlook the losses incurred. Firefighters also can commute (drive) to distant rural towns and can take their fat paychecks and benefits with them.

If you are really interested in comparisons then study other professionals who live in major urban areas. As you mentioned it takes a lot of money to live there and they earn it. Pilots don't and have to commute to foreign lands in order to survive.

SkyHigh

It's amazing how in one post you admit you don't have any numbers to back up your claims but continue to use words like "most, a majority, a lot of" when you really don't have a clue what you're talking about. Bottom line is you did't have the dseire, or the guyts, or the balls, or whatever, to stick with an aviation career. Ok, we get it. But I did and I promise you, no matter what happens to the company funded A fund, I will retire with more than your cop or enlisted service man will. But I guess I'm not in your "most" category

Forget about being a pilot. If you really want to make money this is what you need to invest in. Heck.... you'll be able to afford your own jet if you manage to stay in business for a few years. My only advice....don't get caught and don't stay in this business too long, get all you can fast and then jump ship.


http://www.extremefunnypictures.com/funnypic1404.htm

maybe
 

maybe you will. I don't know you or your situation but the odds for most are not so rosy.

Skyhigh

I saw the program again...I have to say - didn't these people set themselves up by not having a plan - b? I mean, to count on a 401K and not know how its being invested and not caring about your returns. Is it just me or is that being passive about your life?


I don't remember being told someone else will put food on your table when you are older...Maybe I'm different - I don't think so...

-LAFF

There you go again. You don't know what the odds are do you.. Just say it didn't work out for you and leave it at that. But please don't talk about me or how I am this incredible success story. I'm just a normal guy who worked hard and had a bit of good fortune. But I'm not special....

In 20 years I might be thanking my lucky stars that my airline dreams were mercifully killed off while I was still young enough to be saved.

SkyHigh[/quote]

But you might be still on this "airline pilot" forum, talking about your ex-career. I was in love once, when it was over...it was over. It's healthier that way. Let it be, or come back. I wish you the best either way.

Chalk it up to the culture of a welfare state. In 25 years, you and your wife alone will be responsible for the Social Security and Medicare payments for one other individual, given present trends.