After considering this AND KNOWING what I know now,....no.

 

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So very true. If you've been bitten by the bug, you can never look back...just accept that your life may not be exactly what you've been planning on!

 

My .02 cents, and take it for what it is worth;

I cannot tell you whether or not the career is worth it, from pesonal experience. I am merely in the training phases, like yourself. I have had the opportunity to work for a regional airline, as a ramp rat/customer service agent, over the last year. This has given me the opportunity to query many crews, and I have yet to have one tell me they wouldn't recommend it.

I agree with an earlier post, that money really shouldn't be at the top of reasons as why to go into this career, or not. First year FO pay isn't great, but if you cannot live off of regional CA pay, you do need financial counceling. These are still well paying jobs, it is just like any career, it can take time to get there. A VERY SMALL (I believe less than 5%) percentage of Americans make a six figure income, so I am not realistically getting into any career, expecting to make a six figure income; although I will definately fight for it.

I think the #1 consideration when looking at a career, as an airline pilot, is the lifestyle. The time away from home, thus missed holidays, birthdays, etc., can all begin to take a toll. I have to imagine that being young and single, the traveling and time away from home, can be fun. But, after a while, and especially once you settle down, and have a family, it will certainly begin to get old.

I have been bitten by the bug. It is what I have wanted to do, since before I even understood what an airplane, or a pilot was. I've contemplated going into other careers, and still do, sometimes, but in the end, I don't know if I would be happy doing anything else. I will always look up, and smile when an airplane flies over. I just don't know how I will handle it, if I chose not to pursue the career, if an airplane flies over, and I look up, and wonder, "what if?".

 

I assume this is directed at me? I'm not THAT old, and still have a shot at widebody CA. But I am actually glad that I did do some other things in my youth...turns out that I made some money, and some investments, and I have skills to earn money on the side.

When I break it down for the younger folks it's because I certainly would not want to be in their shoes without a financial fallback plan. Remember, not everyone will make it to the majors...my best long-term realistic estimate is about 50% of current regional pilots will go to majors, and only about 20% to top-tier majors.

What makes YOU think you'll get on with FDX?

If you have a degree (or two), family connections, no black marks, and usually out-compete your peers in life then you're a realistic contender.

If you have an AA, play a lot of video games, and are an "average joe" it's going to be tougher for you...you'll be up against a lot of applicants with well-rounded qualifications.

Remember, when you apply to major airlines, EVERYBODY knows how to fly a jet...that's not good enough. They have ten thousand resumes from RJ drivers, but they are only hiring 30 this month. They will be picky on OTHER criteria simply because they can be.

 

Rick no I was not talking about you directly. Didnt mean to offend any of the older guys out there. Just seems that the guys that complain alot are the guys that are older -with wife, kid etc., (not that only older guys have these things) and are probally never gonna have the time it takes to make serious money in this buisness. I wish everybody out there the best of luck to end up in the dream flying job that they want, and that they'll have plenty of years left to do it.

 

Pilot Career , worth it?
If you are questioning it from the start, I would tell you NO.

Flying is my passion, my dream became reality. No better feeling than that.

 

Thanks so much for the help everyone!!!!!! yes, i have the bug bite, and it burns! i will just have to accept whatever future my passion creates for me.

Geeet er duuuun!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm not sure whether its worth it or not. From a financial perspective, it definitely is not. You'll have to invest a lot of time, effort, and money to make a piteous salary fist as a CFI and then a regional FO for several years. You'll end up several years behind your peers in different fields, and you'll likely have a mountain of debt. Once you actually get on with an airline, its pretty cool, but I question whether getting there is worth it. Unfortunately, I'd have to say that unless you're independantly wealthy... its just not worth it.

 

Best answer.