Is it really that worth it to be an airline pilot as a career option?
Where but PPRuNe do you get this sort of insight?
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at the end of the day eveyone's situation in different...personally i have a dream that i will do all i can to achieve...maybe i'm being naive BUT there will never be a time when i look back and say what if?????
I agree with alot said, both positive points and negative but ultimately you have to look at your own situation and make a decision..... as i said, for me life is short so i try to do all i want to do in life and enjoy each day....hopefully one day i'll be enjoying my days at FL35....no matter how much fun you can have on an office swivel chair, i doubt it would compare!!!!!!!
good luck with it all whichever path you embark on.
Sparx
I agree with alot said, both positive points and negative but ultimately you have to look at your own situation and make a decision..... as i said, for me life is short so i try to do all i want to do in life and enjoy each day....hopefully one day i'll be enjoying my days at FL35....no matter how much fun you can have on an office swivel chair, i doubt it would compare!!!!!!!
good luck with it all whichever path you embark on.
Sparx
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G_Sixty, thanks for the bite/gobble! The reason for the negative-ness that can be clearly sensed from my post is, I would say, a slight strategy in order to get the positive aspects shining clearly from pilots.
What I can say is that the general concept portrayed by the replies is to live your life happy, no matter what. If flying is the dream of your life, then it’s better going for it than spending the rest of your life sitting in a chair regretting never having gone for it – even if this means potentially losing Eur-60k plus annual expenses required to maintain the licenses and medical. It’s better having the ‘ticket’ to fly just in case an opportunity does happen to come by in the country you live in (if you do not wish to relocate), rather than not have the ‘ticket’ when opportunities do happen to show up.
This is the general gist I’ve observed from the post. Furthermore, although the salaries starting off may be lower than others, it is still enough to get by with…till you become the senior.
I still have the dilemma, but things are starting to be a bit more clear now.
What I can say is that the general concept portrayed by the replies is to live your life happy, no matter what. If flying is the dream of your life, then it’s better going for it than spending the rest of your life sitting in a chair regretting never having gone for it – even if this means potentially losing Eur-60k plus annual expenses required to maintain the licenses and medical. It’s better having the ‘ticket’ to fly just in case an opportunity does happen to come by in the country you live in (if you do not wish to relocate), rather than not have the ‘ticket’ when opportunities do happen to show up.
This is the general gist I’ve observed from the post. Furthermore, although the salaries starting off may be lower than others, it is still enough to get by with…till you become the senior.
I still have the dilemma, but things are starting to be a bit more clear now.
Supercharged PPRuNer
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No problem, glad to help.
Getting from zero hours to the right hand seat of something fast and shiny is a massive undertaking, it really is. Financially, mentally, emotionally, it's tough on you - and your family. It won't suit everyone, and that's no reflection on them.
I just want to see guys going into it with their eyes wide open, well briefed on the pitfalls and the benefits.
You're doing the right thing by asking the questions.
Getting from zero hours to the right hand seat of something fast and shiny is a massive undertaking, it really is. Financially, mentally, emotionally, it's tough on you - and your family. It won't suit everyone, and that's no reflection on them.
I just want to see guys going into it with their eyes wide open, well briefed on the pitfalls and the benefits.
You're doing the right thing by asking the questions.
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surely if u want a rewarding career without having to pay high taxes then the middle east would be a great place to start your career in aviation with emirates or qatar. they have such good perks free house pay for your electricity bills and childrens education on top of that the usual free flights. another country would be hong kong and cathay pacific although i am not sure about the perks i just know that it is a tax free haven. however in dubai u would be on a lower salary as the perks make up for your lifestyle. just a thought for agent eon
Educated Hillbilly
Zuluflyer;
Although Qatar have run second officers schemes in the past (though very few seem to have ever been recruited onto this) and Etihad are now runnning a cadet scheme; the middle east airlines do not recruit low time inexeperienced ex-pat pilots. Some of the airlines out there are lowering there requirements but not to the extent that those without previous multi crew time are considered.
Although Qatar have run second officers schemes in the past (though very few seem to have ever been recruited onto this) and Etihad are now runnning a cadet scheme; the middle east airlines do not recruit low time inexeperienced ex-pat pilots. Some of the airlines out there are lowering there requirements but not to the extent that those without previous multi crew time are considered.
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Thought I would put my 2 cents in, was a qualified IFA with FPC's, didn't enjoy it so went to uni to gain a marketing degree and did my PPL as a hobby and never looked back, qualified with 1:1 off to Florida 2 weeks later to hour build followed by the usual hard long slog to ME/IR Fatpl.
2 weeks after MCC sent of CV's and within a month aptitude test and interview with 2 Irish co's, and 4 months later started RHS as FO. Just very lucky, good timing and put in alot of study for my 2 interviews.
Looking back now online it's the best job and the best choice I ever made, I earn a very comfortable amount of money, do less hours then most, have all expenses paid, and have alot of respect from my peers from outside the industry for the postion I hold.
My opinion is based on the fact I literally by some fate fell into this job though so please consider the reality for most. All I can say is that if you make it I cannot see any other proffesional job in the world that can match it. Good luck!
2 weeks after MCC sent of CV's and within a month aptitude test and interview with 2 Irish co's, and 4 months later started RHS as FO. Just very lucky, good timing and put in alot of study for my 2 interviews.
Looking back now online it's the best job and the best choice I ever made, I earn a very comfortable amount of money, do less hours then most, have all expenses paid, and have alot of respect from my peers from outside the industry for the postion I hold.
My opinion is based on the fact I literally by some fate fell into this job though so please consider the reality for most. All I can say is that if you make it I cannot see any other proffesional job in the world that can match it. Good luck!
Educated Hillbilly
2007 was an exceptionally good year for recruitment.
However I will say myself and all the colleagues I had gone through training with finally managed to get flying jobs last year. Although most of us had been waiting just three years for the break. However for every downturn there is an upturn so aslong you are prepared to sit the quiet years out with instructing (full time or part time) or some other GA activity to keep your flying active and current then you are likely to get there in the end.
I will also add although the majority of my colleagues (including myself) had gone down the instructing route; that said all the ones that opted for a self funded type rating instead of instructing had also found employment.
However I will say myself and all the colleagues I had gone through training with finally managed to get flying jobs last year. Although most of us had been waiting just three years for the break. However for every downturn there is an upturn so aslong you are prepared to sit the quiet years out with instructing (full time or part time) or some other GA activity to keep your flying active and current then you are likely to get there in the end.
I will also add although the majority of my colleagues (including myself) had gone down the instructing route; that said all the ones that opted for a self funded type rating instead of instructing had also found employment.
