Is it worth it?
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Is it worth it?
I was just wondering whether it's really worth entering the professional aviation industry. Having gained a place at one of the 3 established FTO's; I'm wondering what I'm really getting myself in for. With it seems the ever depleting terms and conditions, and the current condition for low hour graduates, the outlook doesn't look too rosy. Also, speaking to various pilots there seems to be a mixed view on whether becoming a pilot in the current climate is beneficial to myself or the industry. With my secondary option to become a seafarer, where there is a lot more stability and brighter outlook for graduates, I was just wondering is it worth it? Besides the self satisfaction of flying airliners around Europe and the world.
Thank you
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In short; it depends.
If you can bag a job at an established airline you could have a decent paying and long career. Or they might unexpectedly go bust, noone knows.
You might never get a job, in which case the answer is no it isn't worth it.
Let's say you get the job. There are some people that enjoy it at first, the novelty wears off and then they hate it. If you apply the same working hours and conditions to anywhere else (ie. ground office 12 hours a day shift work and a pain in the ass to leave to get to the toilet) then it's pretty grim. Then there are the people who enjoy it at first and the novelty wears off but they still find it ok as a job. This is the minimum way you would want to be (the problem is that it's hard to judge without doing it). Then there are the people that the novelty either never wears off, or it wears off but they still love it. It all depends on so many different factors that it's almost impossible to say what way one individual will be.
I personally cannot claim to have decades of experience, but I have been in the industry for a few years now at least doing a few different things and so far I still enjoy it. The pay is decent but in reality it's just making up for the crappy working times and conditions, but at least I go to and from work with a smile (most of the time, albeit a more tired smile on the way home).
My own advice would be that if you are weighing up taking to the skies or taking to the seas and you think you would enjoy both, go with the better prospecting one (from what you say, the seas, I know nothing about it myself).
If you can bag a job at an established airline you could have a decent paying and long career. Or they might unexpectedly go bust, noone knows.
You might never get a job, in which case the answer is no it isn't worth it.
Let's say you get the job. There are some people that enjoy it at first, the novelty wears off and then they hate it. If you apply the same working hours and conditions to anywhere else (ie. ground office 12 hours a day shift work and a pain in the ass to leave to get to the toilet) then it's pretty grim. Then there are the people who enjoy it at first and the novelty wears off but they still find it ok as a job. This is the minimum way you would want to be (the problem is that it's hard to judge without doing it). Then there are the people that the novelty either never wears off, or it wears off but they still love it. It all depends on so many different factors that it's almost impossible to say what way one individual will be.
I personally cannot claim to have decades of experience, but I have been in the industry for a few years now at least doing a few different things and so far I still enjoy it. The pay is decent but in reality it's just making up for the crappy working times and conditions, but at least I go to and from work with a smile (most of the time, albeit a more tired smile on the way home).
My own advice would be that if you are weighing up taking to the skies or taking to the seas and you think you would enjoy both, go with the better prospecting one (from what you say, the seas, I know nothing about it myself).
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I've been in the Merchant Navy myself. If you can train as a Deck Officer, Engineer or Electro-Technical Officer you've got it made. I started out as a radio operator in the early 1990's but as a profession it became obsolete. I did some time in the cruise industry as an ETO and am thinking of going back to start making some decent money again. You could make a lot of money and use it to do flight training when the industry is more promising in the future and still have something to fall back on.
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It all depends how badly you really want to do it! If you have any doubts at all, I'd maybe suggest don't do it, it's now far too expensive for little in return and a big gamble as to whether employment will actually happen!
I wouldn't want do anything else, I've had my fair share of good and back luck - lost my job a few times now and could certainly argue I've put more into it than it's ever given me back, but at the moment, I'm very happy! (This Winter flying from Europe to the Caribbean!)
Would I seriously advise people to start at the bottom now?! Mmmmm, I have to say I wouldn't! But then it goes back to how badly you want it?!
Good luck!
I wouldn't want do anything else, I've had my fair share of good and back luck - lost my job a few times now and could certainly argue I've put more into it than it's ever given me back, but at the moment, I'm very happy! (This Winter flying from Europe to the Caribbean!)
Would I seriously advise people to start at the bottom now?! Mmmmm, I have to say I wouldn't! But then it goes back to how badly you want it?!
Good luck!
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It depends....doesn't really help anyone. Here are my thoughts in no particular order.
- the money (good bad or indifferent) has always been on jets - particularly big ones
- TP pay is lousy and a flight instructor can hardly make ends meet. The pay figures are all ove on ppjn.
- there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to demonstrate that it is difficult to get off a turbo prop onto a jet with many airlines favouring new cadets over experienced TP pilots. Hence these pilots find themselves pigeon holed. Many have found that the Middle East is about the only place willing to accept their hours
- in order to fly big jets and get big money you generally have to fly smaller ones. Most of the job opportunities on these are coming through cadet or mentored schemes such as CTC or the BA FPP.
- it is very hard to find a high paying airline these days. Most are struggling financially. Even those that are cash rich still beat you over the head with the corporate mantra that they are under intense financial pressure and must tighten the belt. Hence inflationary increases are at best all you can hope for. If you want to get ahead financially then aviation is not for you.
- make sure you have a plan B
In summary unless you are cash rich and have a fallback plan for your future retirement it's hard to find many reasons to tell someone to part with 100k on a bunch of flying licences that could be taken away from you in a stroke of pen eg: loss of medical. In fact it's actually barking mad if you think about it for any length of time.
My advice would be to try out for a cadetship. Also do the gapan course to find out if you are suited for aviation. Might save you a few bucks. PS: expect lots of positive comments from wannabes who are yet to get into the industry and take it with a pinch of salt.
- the money (good bad or indifferent) has always been on jets - particularly big ones
- TP pay is lousy and a flight instructor can hardly make ends meet. The pay figures are all ove on ppjn.
- there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to demonstrate that it is difficult to get off a turbo prop onto a jet with many airlines favouring new cadets over experienced TP pilots. Hence these pilots find themselves pigeon holed. Many have found that the Middle East is about the only place willing to accept their hours
- in order to fly big jets and get big money you generally have to fly smaller ones. Most of the job opportunities on these are coming through cadet or mentored schemes such as CTC or the BA FPP.
- it is very hard to find a high paying airline these days. Most are struggling financially. Even those that are cash rich still beat you over the head with the corporate mantra that they are under intense financial pressure and must tighten the belt. Hence inflationary increases are at best all you can hope for. If you want to get ahead financially then aviation is not for you.
- make sure you have a plan B
In summary unless you are cash rich and have a fallback plan for your future retirement it's hard to find many reasons to tell someone to part with 100k on a bunch of flying licences that could be taken away from you in a stroke of pen eg: loss of medical. In fact it's actually barking mad if you think about it for any length of time.
My advice would be to try out for a cadetship. Also do the gapan course to find out if you are suited for aviation. Might save you a few bucks. PS: expect lots of positive comments from wannabes who are yet to get into the industry and take it with a pinch of salt.
I used to work at sea. It paid for my flying licenses. Had some great times at sea and made some great friends, but I enjoy flying much more.
The lifestyle at sea is different (always flush with cash when home), but 3 months solid away from home with nothing but slow wifi and a 20min phone call a day is pretty rough on relationships. Now, I sleep in my own bed every night no matter what time I get in.
The real difference is they will pay for your training and pay you as you do if you go to sea, whereas an integrated school will cost you a massive loan that will take you until your 30s to pay off.
The lifestyle at sea is different (always flush with cash when home), but 3 months solid away from home with nothing but slow wifi and a 20min phone call a day is pretty rough on relationships. Now, I sleep in my own bed every night no matter what time I get in.
The real difference is they will pay for your training and pay you as you do if you go to sea, whereas an integrated school will cost you a massive loan that will take you until your 30s to pay off.
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The problem that has already been alluded to is that it's difficult to know whether it's worth it without doing it! Only you can make that decision as it's a highly personal one.
Without wishing to seem patronising or condescending you are still young, perhaps it may be a good idea to get a job in the aviation industry and see if you enjoy it before diving into training? Not only will it open your eyes to the industry but will give you experiences to talk about at interviews for mentored cadet programmes which should hopefully boost your chances of success. I worked in the aviation industry before commencing flight training and it gave me a fantastic insight into the industry and a great experience. It also highlighted to me that many people at my FTO have a somewhat misconceived perception as to what life will be like flying the line, so I would also suggest researching the job thoroughly. I also strongly recommend exhausting applications to all mentored/tagged schemes before going self sponsored.
Without wishing to seem patronising or condescending you are still young, perhaps it may be a good idea to get a job in the aviation industry and see if you enjoy it before diving into training? Not only will it open your eyes to the industry but will give you experiences to talk about at interviews for mentored cadet programmes which should hopefully boost your chances of success. I worked in the aviation industry before commencing flight training and it gave me a fantastic insight into the industry and a great experience. It also highlighted to me that many people at my FTO have a somewhat misconceived perception as to what life will be like flying the line, so I would also suggest researching the job thoroughly. I also strongly recommend exhausting applications to all mentored/tagged schemes before going self sponsored.
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Is it worth it?
Thank you for the above responses, after careful consideration. I'm going to apply to various shipping/cruise companies in January, and see what becomes of them. If anything my window to confirm my place at CTC is 6 months from December. And in response to the above comment I applied to various MPL schemes, however with nothing came of them for me.
Thanks for the help and advice
Thanks for the help and advice
