What's it like?

[Hawkins]

I'm 16 years old and just beginning to learn how to fly by dual enrolling at my local flight school. I love flying and being in the air, and really, that's the only reason I got started. I'm starting to consider aviation as a career, but I really don't know what it's like. What's the reality of being a professional pilot? Pros? Cons? Any thoughts, advice, or facts would be greatly apreaciated.

Thanks,
Hawkins

 

[hmmurdock]

I'm 16 years old and just beginning to learn how to fly by dual enrolling at my local flight school. I love flying and being in the air, and really, that's the only reason I got started. I'm starting to consider aviation as a career, but I really don't know what it's like. What's the reality of being a professional pilot? Pros? Cons? Any thoughts, advice, or facts would be greatly apreaciated.

Thanks,
Hawkins

Greetings..

I work for a regional airline so that is the only work experience I can draw from. As far as what its like, flying the 70 seat jet is fun. The flying part overall is ok, but you can be gone from home generally 3 to 4 days a week. There are different types of lines, like day lines where you are at home every night but you have to be pretty senior to hold them. A definite con would be the pay. You will only make around 18,000 your first year and you will make less than 30,000 for the next 6 years or so. Other cons would be crappy work rules and quality of life. Also, this is the only job I have had where you need to be in a union to protect yourself from your own company and management. The amount of hours that you can stay on duty also gets extremely tiring as it can be up to 16 hours a day. I am trying not to sound to negative as I remember taking lessons some 23 years ago, but you did ask for the reality of it. You are definitely young enough to possibly weather the industry until it gets stronger but who knows. The industry is very shaky right now, and you will never see a true retirement at any of your flying jobs if you decide to do it. Also stay informed on the industry. Read the papers, watch the news etc.

Take care and good luck

 

[Kream926]

ahhhhhhhhhh crap a newbie


welcome to it kid!!

 

[Bjammin]

I have done the CFI thing, the Military thing, and now the Long Haul airline thing.

What I have found is your enjoyment is truly based on just a couple of things.

A. How good you are at flying.

If you stuggle all the time to "get it", If you stress to the point of collapse on checkrides, and if you get motion sick easy. You will have a miserable time flying as a carrer.
On the other hand, being affraid of heights has nothing to do with it. I HATE heights.



B. The type of people you work with.

If you are with a very good group of people that are professional, don't bich all the time, and can go out and tie one on while on a long overnight, you will have fun almost no matter what. Don't even think about family stuff until you are well along in your career, that's and entirely different discussion.


C. Your company.

Choose one that's right for you whether it's military jets, short haul regional, long haul, or towing banners. All have there pros and cons, but it basically comes down to what you want out of life. Research them all throughly and try one out for a while. If it doesn't work, move on, but don't stay somewhere you don't like because you think you have to.


It can be a great career, but you have to go in with the right attitude. Expect pitfalls and failures, expect long nights away from home with someone you don't like, expect that at some point you will be faced with life and death decisions while getting paid very little, but I have met best friends, have traveled the world, have made some very good money, and have sat at FL410 and thought I was close to heaven.

Who knows what life has in store for you, but "Welcome to the party pal!", Bruce Willis.

 

[crzepilot]

Sounds like hmmurdock works at MESA

 

[nosehair]

apreaciated.

BAM!...for one, start paying attention to detail....Naw, just makin' a point.

My advice is to NOT put too much thought into the CAREER side of this...yet.

Learn to fly first. Solo. Get a Private (or Recreational or Light Sport Pilot) Certificate. THEN you will have your own perspective to make your own decisions. Getting input from older heads is a great pursuit, but don't let it become your driving force. You are the one who lives with your own decisions.

Becoming a pilot will help you in this process of decision making and responsibility of self.

Just do it!

 

[hmmurdock]

Sounds like hmmurdock works at MESA

Greetings..

Actually its ASA!

Take Care

 

[MTpilot]

Do It!

Learn to fly, chicks dig it, and you only need a private to take them flying.

 

[Hawkins]

Thanks

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot for your posts. It's pretty much what I was hoping to hear... I just wanted a little perspective on the career side of flying, but for now I'm just going to enjoy the flying itself. It sounds like career-wise flying can be rewarding but difficult and big money is definately not something I'm looking for. I just want to fly!

Thanks again,
Hawkins

 

[Kream926]

Learn to fly, chicks dig it

hardy har har!!!!!!!!!