Can a poor person become a professional pilot?

[CrimsonEclipse]

I paid for all of my ratings, Pvt, Comm, Milti, inst, CFI (II MEI), ATP, A+P, FE
and 3 Radio Licenses and 3 degrees with NO DEBT, no loans, no help.

How? I worked 2 jobs, sacrificed everything, and worked REALLY hard.

Would I do it all again?

no

CE

(at least I'm not in debt)

 

[banned username 1]

Of course you can. Like anything else, it's a matter of choices that you make. I will admit that the younger you are, the easier it might be. If you have a lot of committments already, you narrow your chances of attaining your goal in a reasonable amount of time.

But the short answer to your question is, yes.

 

[User998]

I was poor when I started flying. I'd venture to guess that the majority of us was poor too. Who has $50-80,000 in spare cash laying around to spend on flight training? I had to finance 100% of my flight training, and I made sure to cut some costs while I was in flight school to (for instance moving in with my parents) to cut down on costs and relieve the need to have a full time job while I was doing it.

Just don't plan on making any good return on your money for a few years on your investment.

If your poor before you start flight training, you'll be poor when you get done with flight training! If your rich when you start flight training, you'll still be poor when you finish flight training. Just the nature of the beast I get.

Bet when you get to do what you love for a living, can you beat that?

 

[DAL737FO]

If I could go back in time I'd probably do the military thing. If you have a four year degree you can become a warrant officer in the army and fly helicopters and not have much more responsibilty than to just fly.

Who sold you that bill of goods? It used to be that a Warrant was just a pilot, or some other specialized field. However now all Warrants are commissioned officers which means they end up being cheap labor. Warrants are Commanders of detachments now.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

hope someone dies and you can collect on insurance and inheritence.......:nuts:

 

[SkyBoy1981]

How old are you?

He's 36.

 

[time builder]

Maybe you should be a truck driver, get used to the traveling man lifestyle. If you're looking for respect as a pilot, it usually lasts about a week, then the UPS driver you're delivering cargo to treats you like a glorified truck driver.
Besides, truck drivers make a lot more money from the beginning.

 

[Lazy8]

I live at home, only because that allows enough money to fly and whatnot. My parents don't pay for ANYTHING. I have to work 40 hours a week. I drive a 4-cylinder pickup-truck that is 10 years old.

Can I become a professional pilot without my parents giving me money? Anyone else done it????

If it's something you really want, then yes. You can do it. Regardless of your age don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Keep the truck running, keep working hard, research financial aid options, and start settings goals. I did it

Grove

 

[pilotyip]

No four year degree required for Army WO, join a guard unit, get a aircraft maintenence rating, put in for a flight school slot from your guard unit. Driving helos a will give you a good start on a flying career. This is still a great career. $100K in today's wages is a doable number after 10 years of pursuing your career. Fly because you like to. Good Luck

 

[MTpilot]

Sounds like you have a nice truck!