I want to be a pilot: please change my mind!
Gruntilda said......”I've thought about a PPL but in my opinion it would just be setting a foot through the door and I'd be even more tempted to try and change careers. It's also a decent chunk of money for something that would just be a hobby.”
If you think a PPL is a decent chunk of money, then maybe you’re not earning as much as you imply.
The only thing I’ll say is an airline career (probably 75% of all jobs) is not flying. And with every improvement in automation and technology, it becomes less so. If you “love” flying think long and hard about committing yourself to sitting in an aluminium tube for the next 40 years. But, yes, it does pay well.
The job is easy, not particularly intellectually challenging. What you are selling is your health. Years of constant fatigue from poor rest and broken sleep will take their toll.
But in the end all of the above means little... as someone said ..you only regret the things you didn’t do. So go for it. And the only real way to find out if you’ve made a mistake is to go for it. Drop me a line in 30 or 40 years time telling me how right or wrong I was back in 2020.
If you think a PPL is a decent chunk of money, then maybe you’re not earning as much as you imply.
The only thing I’ll say is an airline career (probably 75% of all jobs) is not flying. And with every improvement in automation and technology, it becomes less so. If you “love” flying think long and hard about committing yourself to sitting in an aluminium tube for the next 40 years. But, yes, it does pay well.
The job is easy, not particularly intellectually challenging. What you are selling is your health. Years of constant fatigue from poor rest and broken sleep will take their toll.
But in the end all of the above means little... as someone said ..you only regret the things you didn’t do. So go for it. And the only real way to find out if you’ve made a mistake is to go for it. Drop me a line in 30 or 40 years time telling me how right or wrong I was back in 2020.
Gruntilda, would a military career appeal? Learn to fly for free and an opportunity to fly anything from airline type aircraft to fighters. I don't know about currently, but a lady was/is boss of the C-17 squadron, so no limitation on what level or career path you have open to you. The camaraderie on a squadron is something missing in most commercial fields.
Save for four years following school I spent my life until retirement in a cockpit, wouldn't change a thing.
https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/...8-a2d2432f7f06
Save for four years following school I spent my life until retirement in a cockpit, wouldn't change a thing.
https://www.defencejobs.gov.au/jobs/...8-a2d2432f7f06
I'd say do the PPL - you'll always regret not doing it and it's a lot of fun
Going on to be a professional - Different choices - and not all pilots jobs are Airbus or Boeing taxi drivers.
If you want to get depressed read any of the Qantas or (worse) Cathay forums on here - some very embittered people I'm afraid. But the other forums are full of people who love flying - even when it doesn't pay very much.....
Going on to be a professional - Different choices - and not all pilots jobs are Airbus or Boeing taxi drivers.
If you want to get depressed read any of the Qantas or (worse) Cathay forums on here - some very embittered people I'm afraid. But the other forums are full of people who love flying - even when it doesn't pay very much.....
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Well I was not expecting so many replies and want to thank all of you. It's been very helpful to read both pros and cons opinions and experiences. Probably a bit more pros than I would have hoped!
I'll try to respond as much as possible.
Well I could very well be! One thing I omitted in my original post is that prior moving to Australia I was working for a large company and was quite depressed about it. I felt like a drone. So while I'd always have the option to come back to the finance industry it would probably not be under the same circumstances I am at the moment.
I've read some of those but not really in depth, I'll do that more on my commute.
Again, thanks again to everyone who replied.
I believe I'll take a class 1 medical and see what happens there. Not a huge commitment at this stage!
I'll try to respond as much as possible.
Originally Posted by FlightDetent
As long as you have a career you could return to in case you get cold feet...
If you'd been through enough bad times in life so that you'll be ever aware of the upsides of the piloting job...
The worst case you have a taste and see it was not meant to be your destiny afterall, but gain serenity at heart...
You might be a lost cause, 😉
If you'd been through enough bad times in life so that you'll be ever aware of the upsides of the piloting job...
The worst case you have a taste and see it was not meant to be your destiny afterall, but gain serenity at heart...
You might be a lost cause, 😉
I've read some of those but not really in depth, I'll do that more on my commute.
Again, thanks again to everyone who replied.
I believe I'll take a class 1 medical and see what happens there. Not a huge commitment at this stage!
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Some advice
11 Years in. 1 GA and 2 different low-cost jobs in Europe - and I'm still quite happy and motivated.
I have another degree and managed to work in an office for a few different companies before pursuing a flying career. I hated it. The 9-5, get up at the same time every day is my personal nightmare. I'm actually one of those rare people who likes what most people hate in the job when it comes to that.
And yes - some days can be horrible with snow, delays, long days and so on. But when I look at how much free time I have in comparison to my old colleagues in the "civil world" and what I get paid to do it it (not that I'm rich), it's totally worth it.
A fed words of advice if you want to "manage your happiness" in this industry:
- Try not to complain too much. Many people complain over the most trivial things in most companies. It will slowly eat you up, and it will become your world view. I'm lucky to be in the left seat. I can set the tone of the day, and I refuse to do/listen to a 10hr "this company sucks" monolog.
- Never put too much financial strain on you life. Everybody wants the biggest house, car or whatever they can get. Keep your life spending at a reasonable level and save up some "OH ****" money for a rainy day. Be sensible!
- Follow the advice from above and try and go part time (70% or even less) when you can. You will do very little actual work in most companies if you can get it. The money will most likely still be ok...
- Think long and hard about getting a job too far away from where you have your life. Friendships etc. needs to be maintained and the more lonely you get, the more you tend to focus on the little details you would normally "sweat" at work. The biggest complainers are always the ones who are most lonely.
- If you don't find flying "your thing" anyway then quit (and try someting else) or try and get a new job. 90% of the time a change of scenery will change your perspective. It did for me - twice.
Anyways. Good luck!
I have another degree and managed to work in an office for a few different companies before pursuing a flying career. I hated it. The 9-5, get up at the same time every day is my personal nightmare. I'm actually one of those rare people who likes what most people hate in the job when it comes to that.
And yes - some days can be horrible with snow, delays, long days and so on. But when I look at how much free time I have in comparison to my old colleagues in the "civil world" and what I get paid to do it it (not that I'm rich), it's totally worth it.
A fed words of advice if you want to "manage your happiness" in this industry:
- Try not to complain too much. Many people complain over the most trivial things in most companies. It will slowly eat you up, and it will become your world view. I'm lucky to be in the left seat. I can set the tone of the day, and I refuse to do/listen to a 10hr "this company sucks" monolog.
- Never put too much financial strain on you life. Everybody wants the biggest house, car or whatever they can get. Keep your life spending at a reasonable level and save up some "OH ****" money for a rainy day. Be sensible!
- Follow the advice from above and try and go part time (70% or even less) when you can. You will do very little actual work in most companies if you can get it. The money will most likely still be ok...
- Think long and hard about getting a job too far away from where you have your life. Friendships etc. needs to be maintained and the more lonely you get, the more you tend to focus on the little details you would normally "sweat" at work. The biggest complainers are always the ones who are most lonely.
- If you don't find flying "your thing" anyway then quit (and try someting else) or try and get a new job. 90% of the time a change of scenery will change your perspective. It did for me - twice.
Anyways. Good luck!
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The biggest difference I’ve found between flying for fun and flying professionally is that as a CPL you no longer get to choose your destinations which as a control freak, can be a bit of a downer. As a GA CPL, I would visit our main destination up to 6 times a day. As a regional turboprop FO, I visited the same airport over 400 times in a year. As a long haul jet pilot I have visited Anchorage, Alaska. The first few times were pretty interesting. After about the 100th visit in the middle of a cold, dark winter, not so much.
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Good evening,
I apologise if this isn't posted in the appropriate section, please move the post if this is the case.
Title says all! But I'm going to get a bit into details. As I'm enjoying the last evening of my summer break and getting ready to go back to work tomorrow...
I'm in my early thirties, born in Europe and moved to Australia ~4 years ago. I work in finance for an amazing company which is doing very well. It's a small business and we all get along, the job itself is the best I've ever had and being a small business I got to help on everything when needed so there's more variety than your typical large company jobs.
I have been treated and rewarded very well. Money is good. But you know, in the end, it's a job. I feel very fortunate.
The thing is: my true passion is aviation. I do plane spotting very often (2-4 times a month). I still feel the same rush and amazement when I hear the ATC say "cleared for takeoff" and few seconds later the roar of the engines... I just wish I was the one in control of the aircraft. It doesn't help that being a female I am also tempted by the sirens of the "diversity" programs at almost every company.
Now back to reality. Honestly, I've done the maths and between the uncertainty and the guaranteed opportunity cost... I know it's not worth it. There's the risk that the novelty wears off and that between rostering and all the issues I've read about, there's only a tiny chance that I end up in a better position that I am at now (if I even get a job in the first place). And it doesn't look to me that the future will be any better.
I've thought about a PPL but in my opinion it would just be setting a foot through the door and I'd be even more tempted to try and change careers. It's also a decent chunk of money for something that would just be a hobby.
Still, even if I reasonably know that it's not worth it, a part of me just cannot let it go.
I guess what I'm looking for is current/former pilots to "talk me out of it". If you had to start over today in your thirties leaving a good career behind, please tell me why you would not recommend it. Or if you've left your pilot career for another one. It would really help.
I wish there were options to travel on the jump seats... But I suppose I was born 20 years too late for this.
Cheers!
I apologise if this isn't posted in the appropriate section, please move the post if this is the case.
Title says all! But I'm going to get a bit into details. As I'm enjoying the last evening of my summer break and getting ready to go back to work tomorrow...
I'm in my early thirties, born in Europe and moved to Australia ~4 years ago. I work in finance for an amazing company which is doing very well. It's a small business and we all get along, the job itself is the best I've ever had and being a small business I got to help on everything when needed so there's more variety than your typical large company jobs.
I have been treated and rewarded very well. Money is good. But you know, in the end, it's a job. I feel very fortunate.
The thing is: my true passion is aviation. I do plane spotting very often (2-4 times a month). I still feel the same rush and amazement when I hear the ATC say "cleared for takeoff" and few seconds later the roar of the engines... I just wish I was the one in control of the aircraft. It doesn't help that being a female I am also tempted by the sirens of the "diversity" programs at almost every company.
Now back to reality. Honestly, I've done the maths and between the uncertainty and the guaranteed opportunity cost... I know it's not worth it. There's the risk that the novelty wears off and that between rostering and all the issues I've read about, there's only a tiny chance that I end up in a better position that I am at now (if I even get a job in the first place). And it doesn't look to me that the future will be any better.
I've thought about a PPL but in my opinion it would just be setting a foot through the door and I'd be even more tempted to try and change careers. It's also a decent chunk of money for something that would just be a hobby.
Still, even if I reasonably know that it's not worth it, a part of me just cannot let it go.
I guess what I'm looking for is current/former pilots to "talk me out of it". If you had to start over today in your thirties leaving a good career behind, please tell me why you would not recommend it. Or if you've left your pilot career for another one. It would really help.
I wish there were options to travel on the jump seats... But I suppose I was born 20 years too late for this.
Cheers!
Eventually the passion will be overtaken by companies you fly for and fellow aviators who will destroy your passion.
Think carefully.
Have you considered becoming a sailing ship commander ?
Im not a big believer in the human effect on climate change but unfortunately the radical left are about to hit the aviation industry.
The future of aviation is about to go through a major reconstruction which will be great for Island nation’s reducing immigration issues.
Future litigation will prevail for Boeing and Airbus similar to those imposed upon Tobacco companies.
Sailing boats are the future Lol
Gulfsream G650 Captain would be the buzz though
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So you're in your early 30's. Have a think about what the job will be like as you come up to retirement. Do you think technology will change much in the next 30yrs? Still have a job?
If you are still keen, def try the RAAF. They're falling over thmeselves trying to recruit females. After wings, your contract (ROSO) is only like 3 weeks or something (ok, maybe 3/4 years) because apparently it cost less to train you (??).
5 years total, great experience and no debt.
If you are still keen, def try the RAAF. They're falling over thmeselves trying to recruit females. After wings, your contract (ROSO) is only like 3 weeks or something (ok, maybe 3/4 years) because apparently it cost less to train you (??).
5 years total, great experience and no debt.
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Well I was not expecting so many replies and want to thank all of you. It's been very helpful to read both pros and cons opinions and experiences. Probably a bit more pros than I would have hoped!
I'll try to respond as much as possible.
Well I could very well be! One thing I omitted in my original post is that prior moving to Australia I was working for a large company and was quite depressed about it. I felt like a drone. So while I'd always have the option to come back to the finance industry it would probably not be under the same circumstances I am at the moment.
I've read some of those but not really in depth, I'll do that more on my commute.
Again, thanks again to everyone who replied.
I believe I'll take a class 1 medical and see what happens there. Not a huge commitment at this stage!
I'll try to respond as much as possible.
Well I could very well be! One thing I omitted in my original post is that prior moving to Australia I was working for a large company and was quite depressed about it. I felt like a drone. So while I'd always have the option to come back to the finance industry it would probably not be under the same circumstances I am at the moment.
I've read some of those but not really in depth, I'll do that more on my commute.
Again, thanks again to everyone who replied.
I believe I'll take a class 1 medical and see what happens there. Not a huge commitment at this stage!
You'll find that a lot.
If you are still keen, def try the RAAF. They're falling over thmeselves trying to recruit females. After wings, your contract (ROSO) is only like 3 weeks or something (ok, maybe 3/4 years) because apparently it cost less to train you (??).
5 years total, great experience and no debt.
5 years total, great experience and no debt.
I was under the impression most military pilots only flew a couple of hundred hours per year. So whilst they may meet the minimums for some airline FO jobs with those flying hours they wouldn’t meet ATPL requirements, and they’d be at a disadvantage to civilian pilots who could potentially rack up 2500ish hours in three years of full time flying. So while only being forced to stay in the Air Force for 3 years for female pilots does sound great are they exiting into similar civilian jobs as their counterparts who stayed for the full 10 years are?
Genuinely interested to know
I have a question regarding that. It sounds great in theory, have taxpayer funded training then walk out into a highly paid civilian job after a short obligation, but does it actually work out in practice?
I was under the impression most military pilots only flew a couple of hundred hours per year. So whilst they may meet the minimums for some airline FO jobs with those flying hours they wouldn’t meet ATPL requirements, and they’d be at a disadvantage to civilian pilots who could potentially rack up 2500ish hours in three years of full time flying. So while only being forced to stay in the Air Force for 3 years for female pilots does sound great are they exiting into similar civilian jobs as their counterparts who stayed for the full 10 years are?
Genuinely interested to know
I was under the impression most military pilots only flew a couple of hundred hours per year. So whilst they may meet the minimums for some airline FO jobs with those flying hours they wouldn’t meet ATPL requirements, and they’d be at a disadvantage to civilian pilots who could potentially rack up 2500ish hours in three years of full time flying. So while only being forced to stay in the Air Force for 3 years for female pilots does sound great are they exiting into similar civilian jobs as their counterparts who stayed for the full 10 years are?
Genuinely interested to know
2500 hours of bug smashing doesn't equate to the same type of flying military does. I have mates who aren't much above airline minimums that have walked into direct entry FO jobs at major carriers in Australia after flying with the military. I also have mates in the military that couldn't get a gig. Suspect it more relates to the person, not the hours in the book.
I’ve got civilian trained mates who have walked into FO positions on a Boeing/Airbus with 200hrs total. Doesn’t really answer the question, has anyone in this reduced obligation period for some pilots been able to exit into a major airline FO job? Or is the program still too new for anyone to have completed it?
dr dre you have finally answered my question about your aviation background. If you don't understand the difference between an airline cadetship and an airline direct entry then you really don't understand the system.
I did 4000hrs in GA, the hardest, most financially destructive time but I learned a lot and had some fun. 25 years in 4 heavy types since and I still love the job but hate the lack of sleep (Longhaul). If you want it, do it. Just go in with your eyes open and be thankful that you have a backup career. My first question to young people looking at a flying career is “do you like to eat rice? Because that is all you will be able to afford”. If you go into an aviation career, it’s because you like flying, any other reason will leave you disappointed.
I did 4000hrs in GA, the hardest, most financially destructive time but I learned a lot and had some fun. 25 years in 4 heavy types since and I still love the job but hate the lack of sleep (Longhaul). If you want it, do it. Just go in with your eyes open and be thankful that you have a backup career. My first question to young people looking at a flying career is “do you like to eat rice? Because that is all you will be able to afford”. If you go into an aviation career, it’s because you like flying, any other reason will leave you disappointed.
I’m a firm believer of no regrets, have a crack.
I’ve fooked up plenty of times with silly decisions but flying certainly wasn’t one of them.
I went the other way, took the safe option, The good job, the secure life. I let the chance slide by.
I wish I had taken the chance, been bold, gone where I was called.
Even if it comes to nothing, do not take the road to regret. Go for it while the chance is there.
OzFerret
I wish I had taken the chance, been bold, gone where I was called.
Even if it comes to nothing, do not take the road to regret. Go for it while the chance is there.
OzFerret
