You Can't Make Money Being A Pilot!!!

Minnesota_Flyer said:
I'm not sure "easily" is accurate. Possibly, maybe. Average starting salary for EEs is only about $54k.

http://www.collegejournal.com/salarydata/engineering/engineering.html


The more important question is do you want to be an EE or a pilot? Money is nice, but it doesn't make up for spending 40-50 hours/weeks in a job you don't enjoy.
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:yeahthat:

DING, DING, DING

I think that is why there are a lot of pilots who are career changers. They went into the business world, they chased the money (some found it others didn't), they chased the lifestyle (what ever one they were after) and they ultimately discovered that they were not happy!

Those that made the change (whether it was to aviation or another field that they were interested in) were the lucky ones. They realized that in order to achieve what they want in life and be happy with thier place in life, they need to be happy with themselves. And in order to due that, they needed to pursue a profession that made them happy.

Everyone lives and dies, but only a select few really live!
 
ChadW346 said:
He said in another thread that he's 31.

My understanding is not that he's coming in with lowered expectations. He's just new and wants to understand the reality of working up the ladder in this profession. I would say this is a great place to come and figure that out before deciding to pursue it.
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Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Thank you for setting the record strait!
 
SIUav8er said:
man, that was a little harsh! the guys in the right place. im sure if he sticks around here, he'll learn! (I sure did!) but just the opposite will happen if everyone makes these types of comments to a new member of the forum. IMO jetcareers is really geared toward newer pilots getting started, or consdiering a career in aviation. Its great that there is so much experience in the membership here, but if you really look at the big picture, a huge part of JC is about helping the new guys.
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Thank you...
 
SD3Dog said:
I think the guy said that all the "people or schools" were telling him that there wasn't money in it. He just wanted to hear it from the horses mouth. Whats the big deal? Like others have said he will learn. BTW from what I have gathered you can make (at a decent regional and with upgrades as they are "today") 27k year 1, 34k year two, 36 - 45k depending if you upgrade year 3 and on up. So yea, its not UPS money but most people can make it work. Like anything else you have to pay your dues. To the guy who posted question. You will find a bunch of people who need to vent and rant on about how they feel things should be. Alot of the time they are right but you need to take it with a grain of salt sometimes. Hell, you might be that guy in a few years. Just don't let negativaty and nay sayers run your life. FWIW. This profession is a hard row to hoe but there are alot worse jobs. One of my AE 8 yr FO friends still says "it beats working for a living" Now ofcourse hes joking but if you have worked in construction or other laborous work it almost is true. We get to fly planes for a living. Most people only dream about such things. Its all about perspective.
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Thank you for your advice. I've been in the work force for a while now(15years operations supervisor for a school distrcit & sales) I understand about bad jobs, I just want to fly for a living, and answers like the one you gave help me make that choice. Thanks again.
 
Fly4Pay said:
I also like what an AA captain told an FO friend of mine there....

"If you keep your FE wife and your FO house, you have a shot at keeping your captain's retirement!"

Seriously, this is where a lot of guys blow it in life, and this profession is no different. Live within your means, or even better, below your means. Downturns, pay cuts, and furloughs are very common in this business. No matter what pay level you're at, don't expect it to last. Just because you're making $150k today doesn't mean you can afford the $450k house.

Also, when looking at the numbers for pay, remember that airlines pay you the same whether you live in California or Georgia. What seems like low pay in one place may be quite livable in another. And, what seems like the jackpot may turn out to be peanuts if you move somewhere close to domicile and it turns out to be expensive. Take ALL of that into account when planning the financial side of things.

And on top of all that, take into account the most important thing--do you enjoy it. I took an even bigger pay cut than PCL_128 to start at AirTran, but it's worth it. I'm liking life a LOT better than I used to. And because I do, my wife does. And my kids. And that's worth more than the paycheck.
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More great advice. Thanks again. :)
 
NEWBY101 said:
Why is it 9 out of 10 people or schools I talk to tell me I'm not going to make money as a pilot?
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Because 9 out of 10 potential pilots who hear that will still dump $70k+ to get into the profession. Supply and demand yo. I recently decided not to pursue professional aviation once and for all. Money isn't everything, but I didn't think it was responsible to drag my family through years of "scraping by" just so I could live out a fantasy. That's not what my father taught me about being a responsible husband and father. To each his own, though.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Because 9 out of 10 potential pilots who hear that will still dump $70k+ to get into the profession. Supply and demand yo. I recently decided not to pursue professional aviation once and for all. Money isn't everything, but I didn't think it was responsible to drag my family through years of "scraping by" just so I could live out a fantasy. That's not what my father taught me about being a responsible husband and father. To each his own, though.
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Say it ain't so yo.................

In all seriousness, I give you props for taking into account ALL aspects of your life that could be affected by your decision to chase this career. It must not have been an easy decision to make.

Wishing you the very best in what ever you pursue!
 
Murdoughnut said:
Because 9 out of 10 potential pilots who hear that will still dump $70k+ to get into the profession. Supply and demand yo. I recently decided not to pursue professional aviation once and for all. Money isn't everything, but I didn't think it was responsible to drag my family through years of "scraping by" just so I could live out a fantasy. That's not what my father taught me about being a responsible husband and father. To each his own, though.
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I just want my family and I to be happy. If there are other ways to make a living as a pilot( and I'm not talking 100K a year ) I will explore those options as well. Thanks for your input.
 
PGA07 said:
Say it ain't so yo.................

In all seriousness, I give you props for taking into account ALL aspects of your life that could be affected by your decision to chase this career. It must not have been an easy decision to make.

Wishing you the very best in what ever you pursue!
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Thanks again.
 
PGA07 said:
Say it ain't so yo.................

In all seriousness, I give you props for taking into account ALL aspects of your life that could be affected by your decision to chase this career. It must not have been an easy decision to make.

Wishing you the very best in what ever you pursue!
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Thanks man - yeah it was a tough decision, but I think best for my situation. If I were younger and unattached, it wouldn't be a problem, but I had that time in my life. Now I'm focused on building my family and making sure they're taken care of. I have a good career that allows me to do that.

Appreciate the kind words - I'm not trying to discourage anyone for sure - just wanted people to know why I've folded my hand.
 
NEWBY101 said:
I just want my family and I to be happy. If there are other ways to make a living as a pilot( and I'm not talking 100K a year ) I will explore those options as well. Thanks for your input.
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I can certainly understand that - your happiness directly relates to theirs. I would never attempt to influence someone else's decision - each set of circumstances is unique. For me, it was the fact that I went through a period of financial sacrifice while I was in grad school, and the more I thought about it, I really couldn't ask my wife to go through that again. What sealed the deal was a winter weekend trip on US Air - just seeing how miserable all of these employees looked - how beaten and downtrodden. A light just sorta went on in my head and I started to think about how good I have it in my present career.

I wish you all the best of luck - like I said, my only advice would be to really consider how it would affect your family. Fly safe!
 
Murdoughnut said:
I can certainly understand that - your happiness directly relates to theirs. I would never attempt to influence someone else's decision - each set of circumstances is unique. For me, it was the fact that I went through a period of financial sacrifice while I was in grad school, and the more I thought about it, I really couldn't ask my wife to go through that again. What sealed the deal was a winter weekend trip on US Air - just seeing how miserable all of these employees looked - how beaten and downtrodden. A light just sorta went on in my head and I started to think about how good I have it in my present career.

I wish you all the best of luck - like I said, my only advice would be to really consider how it would affect your family. Fly safe!
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Thanks again for your advice. We all have our circumstances as you mentioned, I'm 30 almost 31 now and have a good trade to fall back on if need be, I just want to fly. As far as considering my family, I know there are a lot of people out there that might not take them into consideration, but I can assure you I am not one of them. Again though, thank you for your comments.
 
The owner of the flight school I went to before I moved also flies for Continental. I remember one of the first things he said to me was the money will not always be what you want. When that is the case gotta remember one thing. You simply have to love flying. And that really is it. Regardless if it is a computer job, police officer or a pilot, the people who really love their occupation will stick with it through good and bad.:)
 
NEWBY101 said:
I want to fly because I want to fly, but, again, it would be nice to be able to eat while I'm doing it
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You've got to ask yourself a question first.

Can you eat the paycut and still manage to make things work? Because that's going to determine whether you're going to be happy or not.

I personally am not willing to eat the paycut that I'd have to take in order to enter this profession. It would take me around five years and an upgrade to get back to where I am right now. That's also assuming that I wouldn't get any raises if I stay where I am, which is not the case.

Now, there's a catch here. I like my job. If I were miserable at my job, then I'd be a lot more open to trying the aviation route.

You seem to hate your job. So, if you can make the numbers work, then I'd say go for it. Are you married? Make sure your spouse is okay with it, too, otherwise, all the fun you have flying is going to go right out the window when you get home and get ripped to shreds by an angry spouse.
 
I realy appreciate everyones concerns, but I'm not a "Newby" to life! I just asked some questions about the aviation industry. Everyone seems to be giving me a life lesson now. Please keep your answers to the aviation field. I hope I'm not coming across rude or anything, but the "life thing" I've got control of. Thanks
 
Toonces said:
Am I the only one that is pissed off by "Newbies'" first post? I am tired of people coming to this profession with such low expectations. People wonder why airlines aren't handing out fists full of cash. Answer: because too many chumps come crawling out of the woodwork who only wish to make enough to pay the rent on their mobile home and have enough left over to buy a six pack. Do all the real professional aviators a favor and take that "I don't need to make money" attitude to walmart.

We need to expect more if we are to get more.
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Why dont you try to actually READ what I wrote. Where did I come across has having low expectations? Sit Down!
 
To be honest I don't think it is good working for a US airline domestic or whatever kind but I think the best is to go oversea if you want to make good money.
 
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