meritflyer
Well-Known Member
All I ever hear is people complaining about the money that pilots earn. After going knee deep in research, I cant agree that there is not a very healthy living to be made flying professionally. First off, you need to define what is good money. For some, $70,000 is a good paycheck and rightfully so if the workrules and QOL fit the bill. For others, the six figure check is a must, again, rightfully so.
I've seen many folks stay at the regional level for several reasons. I personally have a good family friend who is a 12 year vet at Skywest. He loves his job, pay, QOL, seniority and base. He has no reason to leave. I recently spoke to a pilot who flies Challengers making well into the six figure range who loved his job.
There are guys here flying for regionals, majors, cargo outfits, and legacies who all do very well. Take DE727UPS who has been very open (rightfully so) about how much he makes. Doug can't hide the fact that his pay at DAL is also what I consider, a great living. NJA also has been very honest about what NJA guys make and I appreciate their insight.
There is money to be made flying. You choose what ally you want to pursue it through. If its regionals to cargo, cargo to fractional, instructing to corporate, that's your choice. But it is not the black hole that is portrayed more often than not.
It's true that things are maybe not what they used to be pre 9/11 but there is still cash at almost every major airline and even alot of regionals if you choose to be a regional pilot. Southwest, AirTran, JBLU, DAL, CAL, United, American, NJA, XJT, SKYW, Alaska, RJET, FedEx, UPS and so forth all pay their guys well to fly at one point.
Get your degree, study hard, fly safe, be a good co-worker, support your wages as a professional and you'll make a good living doing it. Make yourself an asset by doing a good job when you show up to the time you leave. Obey the rules.
Happy flying.
I've seen many folks stay at the regional level for several reasons. I personally have a good family friend who is a 12 year vet at Skywest. He loves his job, pay, QOL, seniority and base. He has no reason to leave. I recently spoke to a pilot who flies Challengers making well into the six figure range who loved his job.
There are guys here flying for regionals, majors, cargo outfits, and legacies who all do very well. Take DE727UPS who has been very open (rightfully so) about how much he makes. Doug can't hide the fact that his pay at DAL is also what I consider, a great living. NJA also has been very honest about what NJA guys make and I appreciate their insight.
There is money to be made flying. You choose what ally you want to pursue it through. If its regionals to cargo, cargo to fractional, instructing to corporate, that's your choice. But it is not the black hole that is portrayed more often than not.
It's true that things are maybe not what they used to be pre 9/11 but there is still cash at almost every major airline and even alot of regionals if you choose to be a regional pilot. Southwest, AirTran, JBLU, DAL, CAL, United, American, NJA, XJT, SKYW, Alaska, RJET, FedEx, UPS and so forth all pay their guys well to fly at one point.
Get your degree, study hard, fly safe, be a good co-worker, support your wages as a professional and you'll make a good living doing it. Make yourself an asset by doing a good job when you show up to the time you leave. Obey the rules.
Happy flying.
