Right/wrong reasons to get into commercial aviation?

Pilot121

Pilot121

Well-Known Member
Hello, JC community!
What are your thoughts about some of the "good" and "bad" reasons to pursue a career in commercial aviation? It seems to be that the only good reason to become an airline pilot is if you can't imagine doing anything else, but what other thoughts do you guys have?
 
If you love flying airplanes, fly airplanes. This just happens to be the corner of the industry I'm most 'comfortable' and familiar with.
 
I don't know a good answer to this because it is different depending on each person you ask. For me a good reason to pursue anything is because you have a passion for it. A bad reason for pursuing something would be any other reason.
 
I like to look out the window. That is what first fostered my attachment to airplanes from a young age, and continues today. I didn't have any idea if I would enjoy flying them or not. But the view is worth it.
 
It's fun once you start getting a descent pay check. The actual flying part is pretty easy, especially once you get to the airlines. That being said, as I told someone asking me for advice on becoming a pilot, it's best to have a separate skill/degree. Despite the overall outlook being good right now, he industries history is riddled with furloughs, and stories of lost medicals.

But there is money to be made right now, especially if you are willing to move.
 
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As has been kind of pointed out above, if you are getting into it in order to meet women or make money you are doing it wrong. Pretty much anything else is an OK reason. We all have our own subjective reasons we do what we do.
 
Hmm. If you are getting into it to meet women, well that part could work out ok. Meeting is not the issue, the issue more might be related to the kind you meet! Took me a long time to get it right!
 
Agreed with the above. I got into it for the beautiful women and the absurd pay. To date I have been relatively disappointed in those two aspects. The job itself however, is easy and lucky for me I enjoy going to work. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. This is a great forum to read different folks' opinions about the industry.
 
I got into commercial aviation so I could have something to dream about as I make Power Point. Seriously, I really enjoy making close to minimum wage as I flight instruct on the weekends.
 
Aviation is a fickle mistress, you love it so you jump in with both feet then slowly begin to realize this isn't what you thought it was going to be. This would be the first hurdle, and plenty of people change careers at this point, if getting kicked in the balls a couple times doesn't change your feelings regarding your chosen path you'll probably get through it. This is an industry that values experience and without the experience it's hard to get a job to get the experience. That's where networking and this website can help. I will say probably the most fun I've had making money in aviation was probably 2nd shift line service at KBUR in the early 90s.
 
If you're in it for the money, you're gonna have a bad time. If you're in it for the women, stop at a PPL. If they are indeed impressed with the fact you fly, they don't care if you're flying 172s or 747s, at least in 172s you can take them along for the ride and have a job that pays well if flying isn't your mainstay. Really, do it because you want to do it bad enough to invest the time and money and accept the limitations(drug testing, passing medicals, frequent recurrent checks, time away from home) that come with the career.
 
I fly airplanes because somebody will pay me to do it. If I wasn't getting paid I wouldn't do it. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy flying airplanes. It beats working in an office or busting my ass in the hot sun.
 
"Bad" Reasons to get into aviation:

Wealth
Stability
Family Life
Sleeping in your own bed
Good Health

"Good" Reasons:
Itinerant starvation keeps the weight off
Not having to file taxes since you made no money
Being able to fit all of your belongings in a box
Appreciation for "antique" cars, since yours is likely to be one, but not the good kind.
Learning how effectively evade bill collectors
Those diamond shaped scars on your forehead from walking into a trailing edge of a Cessner
Those horizontal scars on your legs from walking into the trailing edge of a Piper
Having to live a relatively monistic lifestyle keeps you away from the "bad element"
No pesky relationship thingies, so no hassles buying gifts during the holidays/birthdays/other events.

Richman
 
Richman said:
"Bad" Reasons to get into aviation:

Wealth
Stability
Family Life
Sleeping in your own bed
Good Health

"Good" Reasons:
Itinerant starvation keeps the weight off
Not having to file taxes since you made no money
Being able to fit all of your belongings in a box
Appreciation for "antique" cars, since yours is likely to be one, but not the good kind.
Learning how effectively evade bill collectors
Those diamond shaped scars on your forehead from walking into a trailing edge of a Cessner
Those horizontal scars on your legs from walking into the trailing edge of a Piper
Having to live a relatively monistic lifestyle keeps you away from the "bad element"
No pesky relationship thingies, so no hassles buying gifts during the holidays/birthdays/other events.

Richman
Click to expand...
And stress, you forgot stress.
 
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