Now for a anti-happy pilot post...
 

A buddy of mine, who only has a High School Diploma, and 2 years experience, just got a job paying $50,000/yr and good beneies.... Here comes the kicker.


He is a Wal-Mart Assistant Manager!!!

Something else I didn't know...

A STORE manager makes roughly $110,000/yr! And half the time thats with only a 2 year degree!

So when your sitting reserve today, making $19/hr to keep 50 people safe in a flying metal tube at 600MPH, and thinking about the loans, remember this post.

/rant. I gotta go fill out my app for door greeter.

Think about this post prior to becoming a pilot. Of you really have a passion for something, you'll do whatever you need to do to make it happen. I know this. I've put myself through flight training all while going through veterinary school. I've worked my butt off, and will graduate soon with yet a bunch of student loans...that I often wonder how I'll pay back. But, I know in the long run it's what I want to do. Life isn't always a bed of roses, especially at first. Your buddy may make 110K, but is that the job he really wants? If so, then I'm happy for him. He's found his nitch, and gets paid well for it. Personally, I would hate that job. You have to have a passion for what you do. Yes, new pilots make crap for pay. So do new doctors. Some get lucky and get a lucky break...but the average starting pay is about the same for interns (20K) And yes, I agree with every single person who says that's unliveable pay...especially when your looking at even more college. Yet, somehow it's still what I want to do. I enjoy the 120 hour week, non stop learning, and anxiety of not knowing how to treat a patient - especially in veterinary medicine - when the patient cannot speak. Emergency medicine is great. It keeps you on your toes. I feel the same way when it comes to flying. Nothing excites me more than to sit down to a good book, and apply what I learn in that aeronautical book to real world flying.

And yes, I'm still making the switch to flying. I'll always have medicine as a back up. Personally, I wouldn't mind switching to human medicine and trying to get with NASA. Baby steps first though.

Point is...if you have a positive attitude...and realize why you started a career in the first place...it may make those beginning years with low pay, and crappy QOL more tolerable. Oneday you will make a decent pay check, and things will fall into place. Your hard work will be worth it.

If we start sending dogs to space again, you'll be golden!!!

If all you are ever thinking about is money, you're going to drive yourself crazy your whole career. Someone is ALWAYS making more than you, I don't care who you are.

And, on top of all that, the wealthiest people are not always the happiest.

If flying is what you want to do, then keep plugging away. If not, then go work at Wal-Mart. I'd wager the quality of your co-workers with whom you spend all day with will suffer greatly, though. The type of person that wants to fly airplanes will not do well in a Wal-Mart, and the type of person that wants to work at Wal-Mart would not do well flying airplanes.

I'm not advocating that everyone should be content with $19/hour, but you've got to remember that this is a STARTING pay, and a market driven one, at that. If nobody took the job, the pay would go up - simple as that.

HAHA that was awful!

I'm not technically complaining, sorry if it took that spin. I was merely giving facts versus what pilots make, when clearly you are in charge of peoples lives. He will gladly admit if someone comes to rob the store, he is the first one out the door.

AGAIN, not complaining, just stating facts. Ease it up a little.

Haha, that was eased. I backspaced a lot of what I originally wrote because it sounded too harsh.;)

ouch.

so crazy jenn how do you pay off med school loans on regional FO pay?

And alot of things need a little harsh, especially now days. But Im not a low timer, I know the ropes, and enjoy my life. I was just sharing facts with my fellow pilots at this god awful hour of the AM. It is just that the industry has taken such a turn. HOPEFULLY we are turning back to the light...

This is stupid and doesn't belong here.