Is anyone a pilot?

[Stetch15]

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 am a commercial pilot. Currently flying a 757/767. Like the others said you have to have a passion for this kind of job or you won't last.

If you go the civilian route you will start out making WAY less than 50k. Currently new regional pilots make not much more than 20k the first year. This all may change of course as it looks like a shortage is coming in the next few years.


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[Wabbit]

Find something you have a passion for to do as a career. If you just want a job for lots of money, it will be just that a job. You'll hate going to work no matter how much you get paid. If you are doing your passion, the money doesn't matter, because you will enjoy what you do.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by MikeSVX

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.

Don't forget about flight pay (up to $840 per month) and sea pay (depends on time at sea).

[CamaroKid300]

I'm a Junior at Auburn and I'm 3 lessons away from finishing up my instrument rating.

Private cost me $15,000 here...and that was with me getting my license with 60 hours part 141.

It's a lot of fun and I love it....gonna be a long road but it will be worth it in the end!

[Maxspeed]

Getting on with the right corporation is a good gig as well. As i write this I am in the left seat of a Cessna Citation 10 going to Vegas until wed. I'm at FL 400 and mach .90. When I land I am off until 1 hour before departure on Wed. It's like a company paid vacation. I am on an expense account and they pay for my hotel, rental car and meals. Google Airline Pilot Central forum and read the different furums there especially the "Regional" to get an idea of airline life starting out.

[TCAT]

Flying has been my childhood goal, and still is. I was sooooo close to finishing my PP-ASEL. I stopped flying because I went the health route and got accepted to a masters program for what I was studying and took that route. I love health, but aviation, specifically flying, is my top priority. The hard part at that time was making the decision to fly for a living or not. It's not an easy industry or lifestyle now a days. Every friend I had at that time that flew, including my flight instructors said they recommend flying for fun instead of as a career. With the industry in economic hardship, I chose the health route. Health is my second passion. However, I still feel incomplete. I feel I was meant for aviation in one way shape or form. I am stillllllll thinking of making the switch, but it's a rough transition because I have to think of the future as well. It's financially devastating to train for the certificates and rating necessary (it can be as much as six digit debt now a days), as well as be competitive in that market. I'd have to sell everything I've ever worked for to make this goal happen. I also need to make sure I can provide financially, so this puts m in a rough bind to completely transform my current life for a career that pays horrible at the beginning stages and sometimes still later in life, and is completely unstable when you look at industry trends. However, I love flying and doing it as a career will likely make me happy and satisfied, even when the money isn't there. I think the thing with aviation is that people go into the industry blind sided thinking they'll make six figures and then get disgruntled that it may not be a reality for some. So, follow your passion, and not the money. I followed my second passion and I'm still not satisfied, and continue to look skyward each and every day wishing I was flying. Ugh, I've thought many times about the switch, and may just sell everything for a more smooth transition. I cant be selfsih though, as I also need to be responsible and think of my family too. So, if you decide to join aviation, specifically being a pilot, go into the career with the passion to succeed and stick it out, as well as knowing all that it entails, good and bad.

[Begetz]

Being a pilot is one of my dreams as well. My father always wanted to join the army or air force but due to his eye sight problem, he wasn't passed. Though i myself got some other plans, I would like to be in army as well. For you i say, do become a pilot as it is one of the most respected work, and money comes and goes, don't worry about it.

[2010SSRSM6]

I started working on my private pilot rating several years ago before I left the Navy. It didn't matter what I had going on in my life at the time, but every time I got out of the plane, you couldn't get the smile off my face. I'd wanted to fly for as long as I can remember, but chose the Navy over the Air Force when I found out that I had to have my degree prior to becoming a pilot and wanted to be as far away from them as I could get so I didn't beat myself up (joined the navy and chased subs, no chance of dealing with jets).

Do yourself a favor and take 1 introductory flight. Get the feel for what you will be learning and see if the school that is closest to you, fits you. Unfortunately, not all flight schools are created equally and you will most likely have to find the one that fits you after looking at those that don't. If you get out of the plane and don't feel amazing and can't see yourself doing that on a larger scale, look for something else. Never chase the money. It will come when the time is right. If you start out without money, it is MUCH easier to move from one field to another and not get stuck doing something you hate forever because you NEED the money.

You're young and your whole life is in front of you.

[Maxspeed]

It is a long road to make it to the level I am at, but worth the struggle. Nothing in life is easy and provides for immediate rewards. It takes time and patience to achieve your goals. Looking forward it seems like such a long time, looking back it flew by. You will work far longer in life than you will spend in school.

[RedWingsZL1]

Originally Posted by CamaroKid300

I'm a Junior at Auburn and I'm 3 lessons away from finishing up my instrument rating.

Private cost me $15,000 here...and that was with me getting my license with 60 hours part 141.

It's a lot of fun and I love it....gonna be a long road but it will be worth it in the end!

My brother goes to Auburn! Ironically he's in pharm school there. If you see a black C5 Z06 it's probably him.

To everyone talking piloting ... I'm a pilot, kinda ... I've started towards my private, but I'm a UAV Operator. Took 6 months through the Army. Currently finishing up my 1st year deployed as a contractor flying the RQ-7B Shadow. Pushing 700 hours.

Getting into un-manned aviation WHILE persueing at least an instrument rating, you'll be in high demand in the future.

[fielderLS3]

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?

First of all, it's a very good thing you are thinking about your future at this stage. You are already ahead of many your age. You have to look at your options, figure out what you are good at and passionate about, and then figure out how to make it happen. Ultimately, only you can decide what you want to do with your life.

Just a bit of advice, though, from someone who is about 10 years ahead of you on the path of life. Regardless of what you do, have a solid plan. Understand the costs of whatever schooling you go through, and be sure to keep realistic expectations. Regardless of what profession you choose, be aware that starting pay and average experienced or potential pay in any field will almost always be at two different levels. So for financial planning purposes (particularly if any student loans are involved), be sure you are prepared and able to make it work on starting level salary for the first few years. And be aware that while you will eventually work your way up to what all the recruiters tell you you'll make in a given field, it probably won't happen right away.

My advice would be to start now. Get a job and make and save as much as you can during and beyond high school. Minimize what you need to take out for loans (nothing would be best), and if you do take out student loans, be sure you will be able to pay them back based on starting level salary in your field. I've seen too many people my age come out of college and hit the student loan vs. starting salary wall head on.

I'm not trying to scare you, or anything, just give you some beneficial advice based on real experience. I worked all through high school and college (with some parental forcing, admittedly) and was able to get through with no debt. I didn't really like it at the time, but today, I can't tell you how thankful I am for that, and how much easier that has made things at this stage of life than it otherwise would have been. I can't stress this enough...not having a student loan payment when you get out will give you so much more slack to pursue what you want to do.

In short, do your homework...research and know the realities of your options, have a plan, and execute. The earlier you start working toward whatever goal you set, the better off you will be in the future.

[TCAT]

Originally Posted by Maxspeed

It is a long road to make it to the level I am at, but worth the struggle. Nothing in life is easy and provides for immediate rewards. It takes time and patience to achieve your goals. Looking forward it seems like such a long time, looking back it flew by. You will work far longer in life than you will spend in school.

I bet man, and I give you much credit for doing so. You have the career I idoloze. It's the best on the planet in my eyes. Nothing is perfect, and every career has it's ups and downs, but aviation still rules it all. It must be worth the time and effort, and I am seriously thinking of selling everything I have to make it happen. I owe it to myself. Thanks again for all your input. Also, good luck to the original poster with what you decide to do.

[CamaroKid300]

Originally Posted by RedWingsZL1

My brother goes to Auburn! Ironically he's in pharm school there. If you see a black C5 Z06 it's probably him.

To everyone talking piloting ... I'm a pilot, kinda ... I've started towards my private, but I'm a UAV Operator. Took 6 months through the Army. Currently finishing up my 1st year deployed as a contractor flying the RQ-7B Shadow. Pushing 700 hours.

Getting into un-manned aviation WHILE persueing at least an instrument rating, you'll be in high demand in the future.

I haven't seen that one driving around.

Only car that has made me drool so far is Cam Newton and his white Lamborghini now that he is back here finishing up school in the off season.