Is being an Airline Pilot a good job? Inspiration please!
Thread Starter
Is being an Airline Pilot a good job? Inspiration please!
Hello,
First of all, I hope i've put this in the right forum- I couldn't find a miscellaneous/ general forum for this post!
Basically I am a 27 year old guy who has recently passed his ppl and is hoping to continue training gradually in the hope of one day becoming an Airline pilot. I like to think I am aware of the potential pitfalls and problems with the job and with the dangers of building up a substantial debt in pursuing the job. However this is not the reason for my post.
Basically, my frequenting these forums often leaves me feeling very bitter towards the industry: and I haven't even been in it yet! I know it is in the nature of forums to attract people with something to complain about rather than something to be happy about, so perhaps that would explain things a little. But I'm struggling a little to find posts from people who simply enjoy being pilots, which in my current situation is something I could really use! I want to wake up in the morning, crack open my books and think: "ok, pile in the hard work now and you will be rewarded with a great job later on..." Unfortunately checking these forums for information on training and job availability often brings up dozens of posts from people who say for instance: Airlines are too cut throat; you can't manage a family as a pilot; the job is too stressful; the debt isn't worth it; etc. etc.
I'm hoping to be going to the CTC interview process for the BAA future pilot scheme some time in the next few weeks, and they will be looking for enthusiasm and commitment to the job. Can some veterans on these forums please come up with some positives from their own experience for me to keep in my head while i'm there?
Thanks in advance!
First of all, I hope i've put this in the right forum- I couldn't find a miscellaneous/ general forum for this post!
Basically I am a 27 year old guy who has recently passed his ppl and is hoping to continue training gradually in the hope of one day becoming an Airline pilot. I like to think I am aware of the potential pitfalls and problems with the job and with the dangers of building up a substantial debt in pursuing the job. However this is not the reason for my post.
Basically, my frequenting these forums often leaves me feeling very bitter towards the industry: and I haven't even been in it yet! I know it is in the nature of forums to attract people with something to complain about rather than something to be happy about, so perhaps that would explain things a little. But I'm struggling a little to find posts from people who simply enjoy being pilots, which in my current situation is something I could really use! I want to wake up in the morning, crack open my books and think: "ok, pile in the hard work now and you will be rewarded with a great job later on..." Unfortunately checking these forums for information on training and job availability often brings up dozens of posts from people who say for instance: Airlines are too cut throat; you can't manage a family as a pilot; the job is too stressful; the debt isn't worth it; etc. etc.
I'm hoping to be going to the CTC interview process for the BAA future pilot scheme some time in the next few weeks, and they will be looking for enthusiasm and commitment to the job. Can some veterans on these forums please come up with some positives from their own experience for me to keep in my head while i'm there?
Thanks in advance!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
If I could sum it up, "it's a great job, it's a rubbish industry".
Yesterday was a classic example of some of the "highs and lows".
Wrestling with possible airport closures, delays because of maintenance (tyre change) and slots etc. Paper work. Weather as well. All the rest of it.
However, the south of England was pretty clear of cloud so flying over it at midnight was amazing.
Having the hotel cleaning staff "ignore" the "Do not disturb" sign on the door twice was not so amazing.
If you get a good job, it's great. If you get a bad one it's horrible.
Oh positives.
The view.
Nailing a good cross wind landing.
My colleagues.
Yesterday was a classic example of some of the "highs and lows".
Wrestling with possible airport closures, delays because of maintenance (tyre change) and slots etc. Paper work. Weather as well. All the rest of it.
However, the south of England was pretty clear of cloud so flying over it at midnight was amazing.
Having the hotel cleaning staff "ignore" the "Do not disturb" sign on the door twice was not so amazing.
If you get a good job, it's great. If you get a bad one it's horrible.
Oh positives.
The view.
Nailing a good cross wind landing.
My colleagues.
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Mr Hamster,
I think what's important to keep in the back of your mind is that ok sure, the pilot career has changed over the past decade quite considerably, barriers to entry, declining terms and conditions etc, but then again, haven't most jobs in most industries? The world is a highly competitive place nowadays and will continue to be so...and jobs everywhere will continue to become more stressful, companies will try to stay competitive by cutting costs, increasing productivity etc...it won't be just pilots who are affected.
So I think it's important to do what really interests you. If like me, you wanted to be a pilot since Day 1, then no matter what you do, it will never be flying and it will never stimulate those sparks of joy deep within like flying. Sure, flying airliners today is not the same job as it was 10, 20, 30 years ago, but it's still flying, it's still being in a plane.
Perhaps after 10 years of it, you'll of had enough, but then at least you know yourself what it was like and that you gave it a go. Never really knowing and always thinking "what if" would drive me crazy though
Not sure this really answers your question too much, but that's my take on it :-)
I think what's important to keep in the back of your mind is that ok sure, the pilot career has changed over the past decade quite considerably, barriers to entry, declining terms and conditions etc, but then again, haven't most jobs in most industries? The world is a highly competitive place nowadays and will continue to be so...and jobs everywhere will continue to become more stressful, companies will try to stay competitive by cutting costs, increasing productivity etc...it won't be just pilots who are affected.
So I think it's important to do what really interests you. If like me, you wanted to be a pilot since Day 1, then no matter what you do, it will never be flying and it will never stimulate those sparks of joy deep within like flying. Sure, flying airliners today is not the same job as it was 10, 20, 30 years ago, but it's still flying, it's still being in a plane.
Perhaps after 10 years of it, you'll of had enough, but then at least you know yourself what it was like and that you gave it a go. Never really knowing and always thinking "what if" would drive me crazy though
Not sure this really answers your question too much, but that's my take on it :-)
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For me its the best job in the world, but like the previous user said its a rubbish industry, not just in terms of weather, delays etc but the rotting working conditions, salary and other negatives.
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Just a quick one. I am trying to get my head round why airport closures, maintenance issues, weather, slots, salary and paperwork are negatives?
These issues are part of the job that require you as a pilot to make professional and sensible decisions, which surely is what the job is all about, and the reason you are paid?
And as for flying nearly 100 hours a month, well, the average person in the UK will work 37.5 hours a week, which equates to near as dam it 150 hours a month, most likely doing a job they really DON'T want to do, so what is the problem?
Sometimes I don't really understand this attitude.
These issues are part of the job that require you as a pilot to make professional and sensible decisions, which surely is what the job is all about, and the reason you are paid?
And as for flying nearly 100 hours a month, well, the average person in the UK will work 37.5 hours a week, which equates to near as dam it 150 hours a month, most likely doing a job they really DON'T want to do, so what is the problem?
Sometimes I don't really understand this attitude.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Cat3C, I guess that is aimed at me.
Most newbies don't understand that aspect of it and can only see the shiny bars, the shiny jet etc.
Fortunately I didn't have an Owner on that trip. Just had to get the aircraft to maintenance before the MEL expired and the airport closed. Trying to coordinate it all remotely via the phone is a different stressor than most new pilots have experienced.
Some folks just can't handle that aspect of the job without inflicting a lot of grief on their colleagues.
As it ended up being a late departure (some 8 hours late) we had a fantastic view over London at 1am.
Most newbies don't understand that aspect of it and can only see the shiny bars, the shiny jet etc.
Fortunately I didn't have an Owner on that trip. Just had to get the aircraft to maintenance before the MEL expired and the airport closed. Trying to coordinate it all remotely via the phone is a different stressor than most new pilots have experienced.
Some folks just can't handle that aspect of the job without inflicting a lot of grief on their colleagues.
As it ended up being a late departure (some 8 hours late) we had a fantastic view over London at 1am.
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Oh positives.
The view.
Nailing a good cross wind landing.
My colleagues.
The view.
Nailing a good cross wind landing.
My colleagues.
Constant cloud for 3 hours
Smashing in a landing
Colleagues (occasionally)
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FS and Redsnail, ok chaps, I was reading that with the future of Bmi on my shoulders, I dont mean to offend.
But come on guys, forget all that, what we have worked for is a great job!
But come on guys, forget all that, what we have worked for is a great job!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Cat3C, I understand WRT bmi. 
Finger's crossed.
BTW, not a chap.
Actually, probably shouldn't have even answered the question as I don't do airline flying.
Finger's crossed. BTW, not a chap.
Actually, probably shouldn't have even answered the question as I don't do airline flying.
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it was a good job but now everything costs the hell, training is at charge of pilots, and pilots now stab the next pilots.
One day I went to a company, i knocked at their door...I entered, the guy told me to drop my CV on his desk. he didn't even look at me.he didn't give any attention to me.
He was looking at his screen all the time.
Everybody around him had a strange face like if they were all scared to lose their job...I understand the situation, that 's aviation, I am used to it, so I told him what he will do with my CV, he said (he was still looking at his computer screen) he will answer.
This was the only talk I got with this compnay, not even a hello, how are you, or a good bye.Maybe I had to pay for it...
I left thinking even if I landed a job there, I wouldn't be happy so much I felt bad , and when descending slowly the stairs to join my little car , I lurked in some offices in the hall and I saw really strange things happening...,oh my god,it was a disgrace... managers preparing pay to fly program!
One day I went to a company, i knocked at their door...I entered, the guy told me to drop my CV on his desk. he didn't even look at me.he didn't give any attention to me.
He was looking at his screen all the time.
Everybody around him had a strange face like if they were all scared to lose their job...I understand the situation, that 's aviation, I am used to it, so I told him what he will do with my CV, he said (he was still looking at his computer screen) he will answer.
This was the only talk I got with this compnay, not even a hello, how are you, or a good bye.Maybe I had to pay for it...
I left thinking even if I landed a job there, I wouldn't be happy so much I felt bad , and when descending slowly the stairs to join my little car , I lurked in some offices in the hall and I saw really strange things happening...,oh my god,it was a disgrace... managers preparing pay to fly program!
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The arse has been kicked of the job. It really isn't worth paying in excess of £150k and 18 months of your life to buy your way into a job which won't pay you. Spend the money doing a Gas Council Registration course and a Part P sparky course. Do journalism. Become the lowest of low, a thieving lawyer - all of these offer better rates of return for the same amount of investment.
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Course, Type Rating, Living accommodation, transport, exams, fares etc. So what if I'm over by say even £50K (but I doubt it), it's still not worth it. Yes, there are those who save the box tops of cereal packs, recycle the fuel from tank drain test, enter "Why I want to..." in 25 words or less and they may even do the who thing for £50K. So... they are still unemployed at the end of it. Their first job will cost them money. And maybe even their second.
Prove me wrong please. Tell me you paid less. Tell me that you are earning more than £25k per year in the RHS and that you have a permanent contract.
Prove me wrong please. Tell me you paid less. Tell me that you are earning more than £25k per year in the RHS and that you have a permanent contract.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Hazarding a guess he's factored in the repayment costs (assuming the person needs a loan) and what is a terrible rate of pay being offered to newbies to fly a jet.
Thread Starter
Thanks all for the replies! I couldn't find this thread the other day after a brief look and assumed it had been deleted. Its quite nice to be wrong
So if I were to sum up what I've read here- the flying is as good as one would hope for, but the job is quite intense as far as hours and workload are concerned.
I think for me the only thing of real concern is lack of time for family. Call me old fashioned! I think I could handle long hours and tight deadlines, as unpleasant as they are
So if I were to sum up what I've read here- the flying is as good as one would hope for, but the job is quite intense as far as hours and workload are concerned.
I think for me the only thing of real concern is lack of time for family. Call me old fashioned! I think I could handle long hours and tight deadlines, as unpleasant as they are
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Hamsterminator,
It's a great job. There will always be things to complain about, whatever your job, even professional footballers whine. I worked in a 'normal' job before so it's easier for me to count my blessings a bit.
I love that you can always get better - a smoother landing, a slicker approach, higher situational awareness etc. You've got a variety of Captains to pick stuff up from and the more stuff you see the less your brain gets surprised and so the more things you notice.
I like that my commute is not in the rush hour, I like that my kids understand what my job is, I like that I understand what my job is, I like that I can't take my work home.
I don't like being fatigued. I know I work fewer hours than in my previous job, and I get to see the kids more than other people do. Its getting up at four in the morning for a few flights then trying to sleep in the afternoon and then changing to lates and nights that makes it tiring. Also the cabin altitude can't help - even as a passenger you feel tired after a flight.
Piltdown man,
I did it for less, got paid more than that and was on a permanent contract from the start. I think I was lucky, but I'm by no means unique. Not sure whether that's what you wanted to hear.
It's a great job. There will always be things to complain about, whatever your job, even professional footballers whine. I worked in a 'normal' job before so it's easier for me to count my blessings a bit.
I love that you can always get better - a smoother landing, a slicker approach, higher situational awareness etc. You've got a variety of Captains to pick stuff up from and the more stuff you see the less your brain gets surprised and so the more things you notice.
I like that my commute is not in the rush hour, I like that my kids understand what my job is, I like that I understand what my job is, I like that I can't take my work home.
I don't like being fatigued. I know I work fewer hours than in my previous job, and I get to see the kids more than other people do. Its getting up at four in the morning for a few flights then trying to sleep in the afternoon and then changing to lates and nights that makes it tiring. Also the cabin altitude can't help - even as a passenger you feel tired after a flight.
Piltdown man,
I did it for less, got paid more than that and was on a permanent contract from the start. I think I was lucky, but I'm by no means unique. Not sure whether that's what you wanted to hear.
