Transition to Career Pilot. Is it worth it?

J

jouleman

Filing Flight Plan
Joined
Dec 12, 2013
Messages
7
Display Name
Display name:
jouleman
Just read a MOST depressive rant by a anonymous author. He exhaustively penned his best examples of why not to enter into aviation as a career path. The poor hours, poor lifestyle, will ruin your marriage, multiple home moves, forever treading water financially, etc. I was like WTF? If we have no one who want's to be a professional pilot after reading that, who will ever fly airplanes?
I don't know if this guy is burned out or disgruntled, or just being realistic.

I am about to embark on a Part 61 professional pilot course (PPL through Commercial rating) in an effort to get out of my current job as a paramedic that I have held for 29 years. I am 47 years old.

Is there any realistic prospect out there as far as employment in this field as a newer low time pilot, where one can make 45-50K annually?

Hoping it is not as dismal as that article would have one believe. ANY feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
 
From what I've heard, I think after a few years, and assuming you get 1200 hrs, 45-50k is realistic.

Others will know better.
 
jouleman said:
Is there any realistic prospect out there as far as employment in this field as a newer low time pilot, where one can make 45-50K annually?
Click to expand...

Ahhh..... No.

Hoping it is not as dismal as that article would have one believe. ANY feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

The guy was actually being a little too optimistic, it is actually worse than that.
 
There are plenty of good gigs in aviation. What particular career are you looking for? Airlines? CFII? Corporate? Agricultural? Just about the only thing they all require: lots of money for the ratings/hours, and lots of time invested. It will take several years to land the crappy CFI/regional type jobs paying $30K a year. You pay your dues and build up hours until you get to the bigger jets. Where you get a job is likely not where you currently live. Lifestyle changes, relocations, marital strain, etc. are all real possibilities. Choose wisely.
 
Im 3.5 years after I started flying as a student. I currently make 35k and fly what equals 500 hrs/yr. I am gone 2 weeks at a time with a week off and my home life is a wreck. But hey, I get to fly for a living.
 
Anthony,

The pay or the job itself?
 
jouleman said:
Just read a MOST depressive rant by a anonymous author. He exhaustively penned his best examples of why not to enter into aviation as a career path. The poor hours, poor lifestyle, will ruin your marriage, multiple home moves, forever treading water financially, etc. I was like WTF? If we have no one who want's to be a professional pilot after reading that, who will ever fly airplanes?
I don't know if this guy is burned out or disgruntled, or just being realistic.

I am about to embark on a Part 61 professional pilot course (PPL through Commercial rating) in an effort to get out of my current job as a paramedic that I have held for 29 years. I am 47 years old.

Is there any realistic prospect out there as far as employment in this field as a newer low time pilot, where one can make 45-50K annually?

Hoping it is not as dismal as that article would have one believe. ANY feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...



First off if you have to ask if this industry is for you, it's not.

To your other question, you can make well over 60k after a few years, you'll start out around 25kish if you're smart and network, however this is a very tuff industry to break into.

Chasing larger faster aircraft is for suckers, chase the lifestyle not the tin.
Figure where you want to go and train for it, is it bush, choppers, charter, AG, etc?

I love my job, always home, great co workers, one week on, one week off, good pay, life's good.
 
Last edited:
James331,

Why do you say it's not?
 
My Bad James331...misread that
 
I probably could have worded that better.

The thing is, most people who I know who do well never asked IF they should fly for a living, didnt matter what anyone said, they were going to make it work and kick butt doing it, period.

You just need to stick it through, the moment you hesitate in this industry you will fail, and that goes across the board.

Good news is as a medic you're already a type A and have the reasoning and wit that works in the cockpit.

Bad news is, you still asked the question.

Should I = no bueno

I'm doing it, what's the best way to get to XYZ = better outcome.
 
jouleman said:
James331,

Why do you say it's not?
Click to expand...

I'm thinking most people (meaning 99%) get into a aviation because of the love and passion for airplanes. Not the money. It's just in your blood. If you have to ask Then it's not.

I agree with James331
 
One thing I'd be concerned with is how long your ability to maintain the required medical will be.
 
As long as your health stays good,should be no problem.
 
FlyingIsGood said:
One thing I'd be concerned with is how long your ability to maintain the required medical will be.
Click to expand...

I've seen plenty of 70+ yr old with medicals, just be healthy and don't put garbage into your body. Heck if you can pass a sports physical youre probably good on a medical.
 
James331, love your no BS way about you! And I am definitely Type A

For clarification, I am not doubting it is where I want to be. Was just surprised by all the negatives in the guys rant that I read, and just looking for other opinions from those that may know better. I am sure it is what you make of it. I flew rotor wing and fixed wing crew both as a medic, should have started back then towards the cockpit side. There is light at the end of the tunnel, just getting a late start, and want to keep a roof over my family's head.
 
jouleman said:
James331, love your no BS way about you! And I am definitely Type A

For clarification, I am not doubting it is where I want to be. Was just surprised by all the negatives in the guys rant that I read, and just looking for other opinions from those that may know better. I am sure it is what you make of it. I flew rotor wing and fixed wing crew both as a medic, should have started back then towards the cockpit side. There is light at the end of the tunnel, just getting a late start, and want to keep a roof over my family's head.
Click to expand...

I was going to ask if you did HEMS, go ask some of your old pilot buddies, that is one area if aviation which is very rewarding. Also think about rotor wing and places like Alaska.
 
Yeah would be cool too, but $425-450 hr to be heli rated is a bit steep, and most want 1000-1500 PIC / 500 Night in turbines before they will even begin look at you. It is what it is...Airplane will be more attainable for me right now.
 
It's going to take some work and willing to sacrifice to get to 50K. Not going to happen out the door of a "professional pilot" training program in most cases.

Where do you live? Are you willing to move? Do you want to be home every day? Those are pretty important questions...The "willing to move" thing is pretty damn important to career development in aviation if you don't live in an area with a lot of jobs.

You will have to structure your entire life around your flying career to advance and make any money.
 
Thanks for the down and dirty...that's what I am looking for.
 
For a low time pilot, if you're free from obligations, look into getting those ATP mins overseas, Namibia, Botswana, and some places in Asia can offer a decent lifestyle for a green horn pilot.
 
Key: Don't give up your day job. You'll want it while you're building time. If it's a passion, don't let naysayers rain on your parade.
 
Answering the question posed in the subject line with an important directive:

Define "Worth". :)

We can't answer the question for you because we don't know if you value money, time, people, travel, time off, benefits, 401K plans, or blue aliens... over any of the other things. :)
 
RotorAndWing said:
Where would that be in Asia?
Click to expand...


Well, Indo, places like susi, think there are some more van operators over there too.

denverpilot said:
Answering the question posed in the subject line with an important directive:

Define "Worth". :)

We can't answer the question for you because we don't know if you value money, time, people, travel, time off, benefits, 401K plans, or blue aliens... over any of the other things. :)
Click to expand...

Money, yep
People, cool ones
Time off, half the year.
Travel, yup and I'm home every night
Benifits, got em
401k, got a good one
Blue aliens, thought they were sposed to be grey, but I don't work in NM lol.
 
Last edited:
At one time I considered being a carrier pilot but I like making money to much and frankly what pilots make in a lifetime is not very good.

I am making my money now and my retirement job will be to teach flying and fly some charters. Since I don't care about building hours and can work when it fits me. (Or not)
 
If you are home every night you don't travel. :dunno:
 
Rotarywing said:
If you are home every night you don't travel. :dunno:
Click to expand...

By the very definition of what a pilot does, you do travel, guess the rest is up to interpretation.

International, not with my current job, but I like being able to be home and do stuff around my town.
 
James331 said:
By the very definition of what a pilot does, you do travel, guess the rest is up to interpretation.
Click to expand...
The air ambulance pilots around here don't travel, at least not overnight. They also seem to like their schedules. But the OP has a long ways to go before he has enough time, although I guess if he finds an operation which uses SICs it might not take as long.
 
Everskyward said:
The air ambulance pilots around here don't travel, at least not overnight. They also seem to like their schedules. But the OP has a long ways to go before he has enough time, although I guess if he finds an operation which uses SICs it might not take as long.
Click to expand...

Well that ain't a first job, just saying there is money to be made after you build some experience.
 
RotorAndWing said:
Where would that be in Asia?
Click to expand...

Not sure if this qualifies as Asia or not.
C172 and PA28 Captain - Northern Marianas Islands


This is an entry-level time building opportunity for pilots do to "Discovery Flights" or scenic aerial tours of the islands of Saipan and Tinian in a fleet of Cessna 172s and Piper Cherokees. Low time pilots with under 500 hours total flight time preferred. Annual compensation starting at $19,000. Not terrible considering the tax advantages that the islands offer.

Qualifications:

FAA Commercial pilot certificate with CFI
College degree is preferred but is not required.
Must be authorized to live and work in the United States.

Resumes must include pilot certificates and ratings, total flight time and educational background.
 
flhrci said:
Not sure if this qualifies as Asia or not.
C172 and PA28 Captain - Northern Marianas Islands


This is an entry-level time building opportunity for pilots do to "Discovery Flights" or scenic aerial tours of the islands of Saipan and Tinian in a fleet of Cessna 172s and Piper Cherokees. Low time pilots with under 500 hours total flight time preferred. Annual compensation starting at $19,000. Not terrible considering the tax advantages that the islands offer.

Qualifications:

FAA Commercial pilot certificate with CFI
College degree is preferred but is not required.
Must be authorized to live and work in the United States.

Resumes must include pilot certificates and ratings, total flight time and educational background.
Click to expand...

That'd be fun...for a bit anyway. Looks like the gig would be flying around a chain of 3 islands over a lot of water to 3 different airports (all look pretty nice). Ah, to be young again... :D
 
flhrci said:
Not sure if this qualifies as Asia or not.
C172 and PA28 Captain - Northern Marianas Islands


This is an entry-level time building opportunity for pilots do to "Discovery Flights" or scenic aerial tours of the islands of Saipan and Tinian in a fleet of Cessna 172s and Piper Cherokees. Low time pilots with under 500 hours total flight time preferred. Annual compensation starting at $19,000. Not terrible considering the tax advantages that the islands offer.

Qualifications:

FAA Commercial pilot certificate with CFI
College degree is preferred but is not required.
Must be authorized to live and work in the United States.

Resumes must include pilot certificates and ratings, total flight time and educational background.
Click to expand...

Guam is basically the US (territory).

As for the rest of asia, there are no jobs for low time western pilots. The locals have plenty that will fill those seats.
 
What's interesting to me is that I would of considered the op too old to look for a career in aviation, at least if he wants to fly for an airline, however the head flight instructer at our FBO just got hired by a regional at 52. I was rather surprised they would train someone at that age. Have we finally hit the pilot shortage the flight schools have been talking about in their marketing for the past 30 years?

On a personal level, I am also 47 and have 4 kids so I could never start flying as a profession and rely on entry level wages. That being said, I have my own law firm and could manipulate my schedule and use employees to free enough time to fly commercially on a part time basis. Do the regional airlines hire guys for part time work?? I would do that in a heart beat. Of course I need to log some serious hours as a cfi first.
 
Last edited:
FlyingTiger said:
I was rather surprised they would train someone at that age. .
Click to expand...

Well he has a good 12 years to give them. Most 21-23 year old kids that are getting picked up by regionals probably won't give them more than 5-6 before they are trying to get in with the majors. So he can offer just as much as a young hire.
 
all regionals are offering signing bonuses ...some as high as $80,000 (not a typo) inclulding the one I work for. Others will also pay for the new ATP class and sim stuff as well....just fill the gap to your 1500 hours and alot of things can happen fast from there.
 
jouleman said:
Just read a MOST depressive rant by a anonymous author. He exhaustively penned his best examples of why not to enter into aviation as a career path. The poor hours, poor lifestyle, will ruin your marriage, multiple home moves, forever treading water financially, etc. I was like WTF? If we have no one who want's to be a professional pilot after reading that, who will ever fly airplanes?
I don't know if this guy is burned out or disgruntled, or just being realistic.

I am about to embark on a Part 61 professional pilot course (PPL through Commercial rating) in an effort to get out of my current job as a paramedic that I have held for 29 years. I am 47 years old.

Is there any realistic prospect out there as far as employment in this field as a newer low time pilot, where one can make 45-50K annually?

Hoping it is not as dismal as that article would have one believe. ANY feed back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Click to expand...

Most likely all three. It's up to you really. This is not some magic carpet ride career path and entering the industry at 47 your chance of making "good money" and having a good quality of life out of it is slim.

As a paramedic you have a boost in the medical transport field, but not a lot, and it requires a fair bit of time, some turbine time, and a good bit of luck.

The question you left unanswered that I have is why you are done with being a paramedic? That is really where the answer to "will it be worth it?" lies. Will it relieve the aspects of your life you are looking to relieve? Since pilot and paramedic have many of the same quality of life issues, it's a tough call to make without knowing which issue it is that bothers you.

It will be 5-7 years before you see over $35k unless you get use pipeline route as a fresh CP.
 
Last edited:
taters said:
all regionals are offering signing bonuses ...some as high as $80,000 (not a typo) inclulding the one I work for. Others will also pay for the new ATP class and sim stuff as well....just fill the gap to your 1500 hours and alot of things can happen fast from there.
Click to expand...

Please post which REGIONAL offers a 80k signing bonus, include the 50 pages of fine print.
 
I have met folks who make good salaries and enjoy their careers in aviation. I have met several who ***** and moan about how hard of a life it is.

I'm a couple years out of college and working in the healthcare industry now. I have many friends from school who have good jobs. I know others who keep kicking around from entry-level job to entry level job, bitching and moaning.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top