Is anyone a pilot?

[Stack4]

I'm a Sophomore in high school thinking about what I want to be when I'm older. I'm kind of wanting to be a travelling pharmacist because it pays really well and you get to travel. My dad has always wanted me to be a pilot and is trying to persuade me to do that. So if I do that, I will try and get into the Air Force Academy and become an air force pilot. I think I will then discharge and become a commercial pilot. I read where they start out making less than $50k. Is that true?! And is being a pilot as fun as it seems?

[AdamZ]

Commercial pilots are supposedly going to be in a HUGE demand in the next 15 years. To the point that airlines will have to start shutting down because they don't have enough people to fly their planes. So definitely a future there.

HOWEVER...

Do not run your life by someone elses expectations or you will hate yourself and your job. Do what YOU want to do. Not your father.

[Stack4]

Originally Posted by AdamZ

Commercial pilots are supposedly going to be in a HUGE demand in the next 15 years. To the point that airlines will have to start shutting down because they don't have enough people to fly their planes. So definitely a future there.

HOWEVER...

Do not run your life by someone elses expectations or you will hate yourself and your job. Do what YOU want to do. Not your father.

He asked my why I wanted to be a pharmacist because it's boring. I said so I could buy a C7 and ZL1. He made a valid point after that. Going Mach 2 in a plane is much faster than 200 in a car.

[yzrider58]

I'm a Certified Flight Instructor and I believe if you want to fly you should have some passion for it. There are guys who treat flying as a job and that's what it becomes to them. The pilots who love to fly love their job forever. If you haven't done so already you should take some flying lessons just to try it out. If your not amazed then move onto pharmacy school. BTW you can make good money in the airlines and you fly everywhere at no cost. Some guys buy sports cars, but it depends on family situations and where you live.

One things for sure, whether its pharmacy or flight school, both will cost you big money. Unless you get the Air Force to pay for it, but pilot slots are very hard to obtain.

[yzrider58]

Also, to see what plane nuts like us talk about see this thread.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=197982

[Stack4]

Originally Posted by yzrider58

I'm a Certified Flight Instructor and I believe if you want to fly you should have some passion for it. There are guys who treat flying as a job and that's what it becomes to them. The pilots who love to fly love their job forever. If you haven't done so already you should take some flying lessons just to try it out. If your not amazed then move onto pharmacy school. BTW you can make good money in the airlines and you fly everywhere at no cost. Some guys buy sports cars, but it depends on family situations and where you live.

One things for sure, whether its pharmacy or flight school, both will cost you big money. Unless you get the Air Force to pay for it, but pilot slots are very hard to obtain.

Well, I use to REALLY want to be fighter pilot until I was about 14. I learned that they didn't make as much as some other jobs. So I then wanted to be an anesthesiologist. I just don't want to take so long to finish schooling.

I've looked into taking flying lessons, but the closest place is like an hour away and it's like $100 for 30 minutes.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by Stack4

Well, I use to REALLY want to be fighter pilot until I was about 14. I learned that they didn't make as much as some other jobs. So I then wanted to be an anesthesiologist. I just don't want to take so long to finish schooling.

I've looked into taking flying lessons, but the closest place is like an hour away and it's like $100 for 30 minutes.

As someone who is awaiting flight training on military aircraft, I can tell you that the income isn't as good as civilians make, but it is enough. Don't expect a 747 to fly as fast as a F/A-18. Of course, all commissioning programs require a 4-year college degree, and flight requires specific testing and measurements to ensure that you're safe to operate the aircraft. Military flight training all but guarantees you civilian employment later due to being the best training in the world.

[upflying]

I'm a private pilot, SEL and rotorcraft.
The ticket cost me $2500 33 years ago in a Piper Tomahawk. It rented for $26 hr, wet.
I reckon a pvt license will set you back $10,000 today.
Commercial/ATP with 1500 hrs could easily cost you six figures.
Go military if you want to learn to fly.

[Ladybugsmom]

Originally Posted by Stack4

I'm a Sophomore in high school thinking about what I want to be when I'm older. I'm kind of wanting to be a travelling pharmacist because it pays really well and you get to travel. My dad has always wanted me to be a pilot and is trying to persuade me to do that. So if I do that, I will try and get into the Air Force Academy and become an air force pilot. I think I will then discharge and become a commercial pilot. I read where they start out making less than $50k. Is that true?! And is being a pilot as fun as it seems?

I'm a pharmacist, so let me tell you about the other option...
School is long (minimum 6 years of college) and expensive. It's also difficult - you need to be very much into the sciences or you won't make it. Don't forget, you have to get in first - and that's competitive - at the local college of pharmacy, there's about 2000 applicants each year for 100 spots.
After school, there are a LOT of options - some boring, some not. Hospital, clinical, retail, compounding, industry, etc... All pay well, but you work hard for the money. The job market is not as wide open as it used to be, so there's competition for the good jobs.
I currently work in a mental health clinic, and absolutely love it. Crazy people are fun!

Whatever you choose to do, don't just do it for the money, do it because you enjoy it, and because it's what YOU want to do.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by yzrider58

I'm a Certified Flight Instructor and I believe if you want to fly you should have some passion for it. There are guys who treat flying as a job and that's what it becomes to them. The pilots who love to fly love their job forever. If you haven't done so already you should take some flying lessons just to try it out. If your not amazed then move onto pharmacy school. BTW you can make good money in the airlines and you fly everywhere at no cost. Some guys buy sports cars, but it depends on family situations and where you live.

One things for sure, whether its pharmacy or flight school, both will cost you big money. Unless you get the Air Force to pay for it, but pilot slots are very hard to obtain.

Bolding the important point here.

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

As someone who is awaiting flight training on military aircraft, I can tell you that the income isn't as good as civilians make, but it is enough. Don't expect a 747 to fly as fast as a F/A-18. Of course, all commissioning programs require a 4-year college degree, and flight requires specific testing and measurements to ensure that you're safe to operate the aircraft. Military flight training all but guarantees you civilian employment later due to being the best training in the world.

A 747 is faster than a Corvette though

[The_Blur]

You can fly outside if the Air Force. The Navy has more aircraft, and the Army and Marines have aviators, too. The job of flying is effectively the same for all branches with the Navy possibly having you land on carriers at sea, which is difficult. All of these pilots and flight officers get FAA licenses in training.

[MikeSVX]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

You can fly outside if the Air Force. The Navy has more aircraft, and the Army and Marines have aviators, too. The job of flying is effectively the same for all branches with the Navy possibly having you land on carriers at sea, which is difficult. All of these pilots and flight officers get FAA licenses in training.

You forgot about the Coast Guard. But our pilots take a beating. A lot of their flying happens during bad weather, because that's usually when people need saving.

Getting into an academy has always been difficult and will probably be getting even more difficult with the current budget cuts. All the services will be looking to reduce their man power to save money. My cousin went air force and has been flying cargo. He went to a regular college and did the ROTC program through high school and college. After he graduated college, he went direct commission into the air force. If you want to know what the pay looks like, just google military pay. Pilots in the navy, air force, and Coast Guard are officers (O-2 and up I think) in the army, you can fly as a Warrant Officer(W-2, ect.). I'm nor sure what rank in the marines can fly. Military pay is based on your rank, not your job. And O-3 sitting behind a desk will get paid the same as an O-3 flying fighters. There are other pays that will make a difference however. Pilot flying off a carrier would get a hazardous duty pay.

[ShnOmac]

Originally Posted by Stack4

I read where they start out making less than $50k. Is that true?! And is being a pilot as fun as it seems?

Originally Posted by Stack4

He asked my why I wanted to be a pharmacist because it's boring. I said so I could buy a C7 and ZL1.

Originally Posted by Stack4

Well, I use to REALLY want to be fighter pilot until I was about 14. I learned that they didn't make as much as some other jobs.

The time in my life that I was the most miserable was also the time in my life that I was making the most money. Do what you Love and the money will follow....