IS IT ALL WORTH IT ?
Well, I'd have to say no, not for me, anyway. I did my training in the States, did a little instruction over there and then returned to the UK to convert to a BCPL and then did a BCPL to CPL upgrade course. I then spent about 2 years looking for my 1st job, while doing any job going to keep a roof over my head and pay off my debts. When I found my first flying job as a First Officer I was obviously delighted. The 1st six months I spent working just at the weekends (unpaid) and after six months I was then offered a permanent position. Having spent £25,000 on training and worked very hard to pass all my exams and holding a professional qualification (CPL/IR Frozen ATPL) I expected to earn a salary, however, I had yet to learn that in the perculiar world of aviation, normal rules do not apply. I was to be employed by this company, however I was not going to be paid for the first year ! I know many of you would probably jump at a chance like this, and I know that many people at this airline did work unpaid, however this was something that I could not afford or was prepared to do.
Fortunatley, at around the same time I was offered a job in London with an Investment Mngt company, where I have been for 5 years now. For my first year working for this company I continued to apply for other flying jobs but could find nothing. It was around this this that I decided to give up flying and pursue a career in the City and I have no regrets. I now have a great job, earn a good salary and have managed to buy a flat in London. If I'd stayed in Flying, God knows where I would be now ? Yes, I work 9 to 5, but this means I get up at a reasonable hour and get home every night. I also have every weekend and Bank Holiday free to do as I wish. And yes I spend most of the day sitting at a desk with a computer screen infront of me, speaking on the phone, but the work is varied, I learn something new everyday and it lets me be somewhat creative. As opposed to flying a modern aircraft where I would be monitoring a computer flight system, making the occasional radio call and doing everything by the book. I am also promoted by virtue of how well I do my job and not merely by seniority.
I really can't understand why people are willing to sacrifice their marrige, families, homes etc in order to pursue a career which has such a poor lifestyle. Perhaps if you have a job you really hate, but there are many more interesting and rewarding careers out there than being a pilot. I guess you just have to be really crazy about flying, something which I guess I was not. I did ofcourse enjoy the training tremendously and I still fly for pleasure at the weekends which is all I need in terms of my aviation fix.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think flying is a bad career to have, it just wasn't for me. Just make sure that it is really what you want to. £50,000 or whatever it costs now is a hell of alot of money to spend with no guarantee of a job at the end. If you really love flying why not think about buying a share in an aircraft and fly at the weekends. Or fly off to the States for a 2 week flying holiday every year, you'd get alot of holidays for £50 G. You'll probably do more hands on flying than you ever would during a career as a pilot.
Good luck, whatever you do . If you already fallen in love with flying, then none of my negative comments will have any effect on you, I'm just trying to give another point of view, rather than the go for it at all costs, live your dreams, what if, etc...
