Change of Career before 30??
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Change of Career before 30??
Has anyone worked in another profession (professionals- eg engineers, doctors, accountants etc) before they become pilots? How do you compare your life before and after the change? Why did you change – money/hate your old job/’dream’? How did becoming a pilot impact on your life??
I want to change because I hate my current job – I realised ideal job role does not happen for 99.9% of the people in my profession! Being a pilot is not my dream but I know what a pilot does I’d enjoy and you get paid well for it as well. I think my skill set is well suited as a pilot!
Would really like to see what other people’s view- don’t want to go into the wrong career again!
I want to change because I hate my current job – I realised ideal job role does not happen for 99.9% of the people in my profession! Being a pilot is not my dream but I know what a pilot does I’d enjoy and you get paid well for it as well. I think my skill set is well suited as a pilot!
Would really like to see what other people’s view- don’t want to go into the wrong career again!
Yes it is surprisingly common BUT they normally have discovered the passion later in life or knew about it but ignored it.
This industry is one where 90% would (almost) do their jobs for free. If you don't share that love of flying you may struggle when it gets demanding, you might find it hard to fit in with other pilots (who live breath and eat aviation) and quite possibly interviews for major airlines might weed you out.
If you think you are good enough in other areas or you do have the passion somewhere. Go for it, it may be tough, but you won't regret it!
This industry is one where 90% would (almost) do their jobs for free. If you don't share that love of flying you may struggle when it gets demanding, you might find it hard to fit in with other pilots (who live breath and eat aviation) and quite possibly interviews for major airlines might weed you out.
If you think you are good enough in other areas or you do have the passion somewhere. Go for it, it may be tough, but you won't regret it!
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you may ask doctors do I qualify to fly, you may ask accountant how many tax I have to pay if I doing pilot job, and finally you ask engineer is the aircraft safety to fly.well, its all about realization, when you get in a filed and then you may think other filed is better than this filed, and so on so on. anyway, I am none all them.
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what a pilot does I’d enjoy and you get paid well for it as well.
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(professionals- eg engineers, doctors, accountants etc)
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Forgot to include...
first of all a glance at the current market is enough to discourage many to pursue further their com licenses ...
study the trend, know when to schedule atpl, IR and com as you have deadlines...finetune the whole thing so that you're elligible to be employed as a pilot when things will get slightly better and more prospective...in some lets say 2 or 3 years...
but go for it.
its another world....
first of all a glance at the current market is enough to discourage many to pursue further their com licenses ...
study the trend, know when to schedule atpl, IR and com as you have deadlines...finetune the whole thing so that you're elligible to be employed as a pilot when things will get slightly better and more prospective...in some lets say 2 or 3 years...
but go for it.
its another world....
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from talking to other people (esp older people) I discover that in most pofession, it just becomes a job regardless of how passionate you are when you started out! Any pilots in this circumstances and how do you deal with flying day in day out when you are actually bored of doing it??
I asked this same question to a few guys.
They explained there is a difference (for them anyway) between just a job and boring. Yes after 20-30 years in the airline they could fly between Point A and Point B in their sleep. On an average day the excitement of it depended on who else was on the crew. BUT they were still passionate for aviation, they each flew outside of the airline, one regularly hired a Warrior, another owned a Yak-52. They still enjoyed the training and still got a bit of a buzz when they pull the 747 into the sky.
They both said there jobs were 'the best in the world'. Although it's not a thrill a minute they still enjoy it.
Having said that how many jobs are exciting 100% of the time. Every job is boring at times, aviation is no exception. There will be good points even after 30 years. I think the big thing they highlighted to me was that you only get out what you put in. If you turn up to work with a bored attitude you will be, if you turn up to work excited to meet your new crew, fly, travel etc. you will still enjoy it.
They explained there is a difference (for them anyway) between just a job and boring. Yes after 20-30 years in the airline they could fly between Point A and Point B in their sleep. On an average day the excitement of it depended on who else was on the crew. BUT they were still passionate for aviation, they each flew outside of the airline, one regularly hired a Warrior, another owned a Yak-52. They still enjoyed the training and still got a bit of a buzz when they pull the 747 into the sky.
They both said there jobs were 'the best in the world'. Although it's not a thrill a minute they still enjoy it.
Having said that how many jobs are exciting 100% of the time. Every job is boring at times, aviation is no exception. There will be good points even after 30 years. I think the big thing they highlighted to me was that you only get out what you put in. If you turn up to work with a bored attitude you will be, if you turn up to work excited to meet your new crew, fly, travel etc. you will still enjoy it.
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I had a very successful international career in Banking/IT before changing careers and becomming an Airline Pilot.
I have now flown the 747-400 for many years and even made it to the left hand seat, BUT:
The one key factor, that I have underestimated in this industry - which can be very significant emotionally as well as financially - is SENIORITY.
In the Airline Industry your progress, pay, time off is largely based on seniority. In other words, it does not matter how good you are in what you are doing or how hard you work to become better, as long as you are "good enough", by design, you will progress.
You also negotiate your pay as a group, which means you have limited control over your income. You are also very easily "replaceable" - a side effect to the necessary safety standards, that make aviation so safe.
In large airlines seniority also breeds a kind of group think, where seniority becomes the sole argument for any kind of entitlement. Just look at all the fights between pilots and airline management, even amongst pilots themselves.
In other words, you are just a number and nothing more. Some people may find this OK, even appealing, while others find it very limiting. You have to decide, which one you are.
There is a silver lining however. You have generally an opportunity to run a business on the side, that suits the ""overachiever" in you. I have met pilots, who have studied law and even became part time judges.
Depending on which company you work for and type of operation (longhaul, shorthaul, etc), you will have generally enough time off. In many cases you will need a good portion of that time to recover and get a couple of nights good sleep, but you do have that extra time.
One tip though - try to get on with a good and established airline as early as you can.
Good luck !
I have now flown the 747-400 for many years and even made it to the left hand seat, BUT:
The one key factor, that I have underestimated in this industry - which can be very significant emotionally as well as financially - is SENIORITY.
In the Airline Industry your progress, pay, time off is largely based on seniority. In other words, it does not matter how good you are in what you are doing or how hard you work to become better, as long as you are "good enough", by design, you will progress.
You also negotiate your pay as a group, which means you have limited control over your income. You are also very easily "replaceable" - a side effect to the necessary safety standards, that make aviation so safe.
In large airlines seniority also breeds a kind of group think, where seniority becomes the sole argument for any kind of entitlement. Just look at all the fights between pilots and airline management, even amongst pilots themselves.
In other words, you are just a number and nothing more. Some people may find this OK, even appealing, while others find it very limiting. You have to decide, which one you are.
There is a silver lining however. You have generally an opportunity to run a business on the side, that suits the ""overachiever" in you. I have met pilots, who have studied law and even became part time judges.
Depending on which company you work for and type of operation (longhaul, shorthaul, etc), you will have generally enough time off. In many cases you will need a good portion of that time to recover and get a couple of nights good sleep, but you do have that extra time.
One tip though - try to get on with a good and established airline as early as you can.
Good luck !
Last edited by Avius; 18th Mar 2009 at 04:18.
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I also had a relatively successful career in sales before changing over to flying for a career at age 33.
I was working during the week and then flying on the weekend when the weather permitted (I lived in Melbourne Australia so the weather could be uncooperative at times!) and financially this worked well.
The hardest part has been the expense with no guarantees, constant moving around and taking a significant pay cut BUT I am in a job with an airline now and really enjoy it. In fact, I actually hate reserve days and days off as I do like what I do. I'm still new and have been assured these feelings will wear off! I hope not.
There used to always be a case of the Sunday night blues when you were thinking about the week ahead or when you got back from holidays and didn't really want to get up the next morning to go back to work. Those days are a thing of the past now and for me that has made it all worthwhile. I understand what it is like to be in a job you hate but the flying on the weekend with a long term ambition for a career change kept me going.
As was said earlier - good luck.
I was working during the week and then flying on the weekend when the weather permitted (I lived in Melbourne Australia so the weather could be uncooperative at times!) and financially this worked well.
The hardest part has been the expense with no guarantees, constant moving around and taking a significant pay cut BUT I am in a job with an airline now and really enjoy it. In fact, I actually hate reserve days and days off as I do like what I do. I'm still new and have been assured these feelings will wear off! I hope not.
There used to always be a case of the Sunday night blues when you were thinking about the week ahead or when you got back from holidays and didn't really want to get up the next morning to go back to work. Those days are a thing of the past now and for me that has made it all worthwhile. I understand what it is like to be in a job you hate but the flying on the weekend with a long term ambition for a career change kept me going.
As was said earlier - good luck.
Be prepared for copious amounts of time off......through unemployment!
This industry exists on the edge and very few companies last too long.
In 26 years I look back and find I am averaging one year in three out of work.
I am not sure where you get the idea that we are highly paid either? Not anymore and coupled with so much time spent out of work I think you will find that the mean income is actually pretty poor.
On a positive note you get to collect lots of different company uniforms!
This industry exists on the edge and very few companies last too long.
In 26 years I look back and find I am averaging one year in three out of work.
I am not sure where you get the idea that we are highly paid either? Not anymore and coupled with so much time spent out of work I think you will find that the mean income is actually pretty poor.
On a positive note you get to collect lots of different company uniforms!
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thanks for all the comment, I'm in the process of interviewing for CX as a cadet. I've had a look at the salary scale, this is for 2007 and is this approximately correct? and I would have thought it is increase a bit by now?? If this is the case then I reckon this is quite well paid with good allowance on the side...... For those of you work in the construction industry will understand. even a very senior engineer in UK with 30 years will unlikely top £80,000 a year (about $85000 a month before 40% tax) with almost no other allowance apart from a Christmas lunch! I'd beg to differ.
Monthly (HK $)
Second Officer (SO)From $ 32,213.00to $ 45,259.00
Junior First Officer (JFO)From $ 49,421.00 to$ 55,352.00
First Officer (FO)From $ 64,265.00 to $ 67,565.00
Senior First Officer (SFO)From $ 69,854.00 to $ 79,331.00
Captain From $ 98,375.00 to $ 100,135.00
Senior Captain From $ 101,928.00 to $ 136,032.00
Monthly (HK $)
Second Officer (SO)From $ 32,213.00to $ 45,259.00
Junior First Officer (JFO)From $ 49,421.00 to$ 55,352.00
First Officer (FO)From $ 64,265.00 to $ 67,565.00
Senior First Officer (SFO)From $ 69,854.00 to $ 79,331.00
Captain From $ 98,375.00 to $ 100,135.00
Senior Captain From $ 101,928.00 to $ 136,032.00
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I do understand about being passionate about your job but 'bored' in the same time.
When do you know you are 'passionate' about flying, instead of just interested?? or is there a different?
I would consider myself interested- but don't sleep drink live aviation.
When do you know you are 'passionate' about flying, instead of just interested?? or is there a different?
I would consider myself interested- but don't sleep drink live aviation.
It's one of those things, if you have to ask you don't have it.
I don't want to discourage you it's still possible merely being interested BUT when the times get tough (and they get very tough) you don't have passion to motivate you, you have to find something else.
Do you always look to the sky when you see a plane fly over and imagine yourself in the cockpit? Could you just sit at an airport and watch and be entertained? Do you enjoy learning anything aviation related? Do your friends see a plane and think of you? Could you sit in a bar with the rest of your crew and talk all things aviation?
These kind of questions could help you answer the question of whether you have passion, but as I said, if you have to ask...
It's still possible but you have to ask yourself why are you changing career's for a job you are merely interested in?
I don't want to discourage you it's still possible merely being interested BUT when the times get tough (and they get very tough) you don't have passion to motivate you, you have to find something else.
Do you always look to the sky when you see a plane fly over and imagine yourself in the cockpit? Could you just sit at an airport and watch and be entertained? Do you enjoy learning anything aviation related? Do your friends see a plane and think of you? Could you sit in a bar with the rest of your crew and talk all things aviation?
These kind of questions could help you answer the question of whether you have passion, but as I said, if you have to ask...
It's still possible but you have to ask yourself why are you changing career's for a job you are merely interested in?
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I'm curious.... it seems that everyone who is a pilot are 'passionate' about their job. Surely, that can't be the case in reality! As in most other professions, eg accountants, engineer, banker, lawyers etc etc a lot of them are in the profession because of reasons other than passion - eg money, status, intellectual challenge, job security etc etc.
So why is pilot any different. I'm not questioning individuals here, as I accept there are many passionate pilots out there. But they can't all be that. Some pilot must be there for other reasons - I know at least one (a friend of mine - but he grow to love flying AFTER becoming a pilot), but why don't others admit it??? As in other profession, people talk about it all the time!
Please discuss.... I'm confused
So why is pilot any different. I'm not questioning individuals here, as I accept there are many passionate pilots out there. But they can't all be that. Some pilot must be there for other reasons - I know at least one (a friend of mine - but he grow to love flying AFTER becoming a pilot), but why don't others admit it??? As in other profession, people talk about it all the time!
Please discuss.... I'm confused
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money, status, intellectual challenge, job security etc
It depends on how you see "money" this word. When you were watching BBC news, those former senior bankers were/are earning million pounds per annul and look at these guys sitting inside the cockpit, and then watch those tragic plane crash news, you might come up with another story in your head. I generally admit this point intellectual challenge. But again, this is straightly related to the job security. It really depends on how much risk you would like to bear in your life actually,and what kind of life style you chose to living. The licensed not going to issue once for life time like other profession, line check etc etc.
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licence not for a life time is a nuisance but it really seperate those who have no motivation to do their work. Human tends to forget and in many professions they do forget things as you use less of particular skill. I see some old dude forget basic principles from Uni year 1 not that they are bad professionals , some people do need reminding once a while - regualar tests keeps you on your toes.......... anyway if you got the 'passion' or 'interest in my case' then you should be ok cos you are regularly practicing, right??
Another thing...... money is a relative thing, i think relative terms being a pilot is quite well paid along with other benefits, not the best paid but its up there (excluding bankers as they are another league altogether), if you think otherwise you have no idea what other professions earn!!!
......... anyway if you got the 'passion' or 'interest in my case' then you should be ok cos you are regularly practicing, right??Another thing...... money is a relative thing, i think relative terms being a pilot is quite well paid along with other benefits, not the best paid but its up there (excluding bankers as they are another league altogether), if you think otherwise you have no idea what other professions earn!!!
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exactly, if you think wisely, this profession are doing thing completely different from others, and every profession do so. Those management know how to measure a proper salary for their workers, slim chance to overpay i guess.here are some figures i have found,
salary for lawyer
Currency: USD | Updated: 30 Mar 2009 | Individuals reporting: 11,843
Less than 1 Year : US$ 57147 annul , average HK$37,145 £3376 per month
1-4 years :US$ 63746, annul average HK$ 41,434 £3766 per month
5-9 years :US$ 87464, annul average HK$ 56851, £5168 per month
10-19 years :US$ 101,891 annul average HK$ 66229 , £6020 per month
20 years :US$ 113,908 annul average HK$ 74040, £6730 per month
p.s, these figures are all approximation, most of them will be extra commission by cases and year ended bonus share. In UK, calculating method maybe different depends on your practice area, law firm,government, or private company,and where are you graduated from, what region etc etc. I am sorry, but do you think those guys in cockpit should actually get more pay now.
salary for lawyer
Currency: USD | Updated: 30 Mar 2009 | Individuals reporting: 11,843
Less than 1 Year : US$ 57147 annul , average HK$37,145 £3376 per month
1-4 years :US$ 63746, annul average HK$ 41,434 £3766 per month
5-9 years :US$ 87464, annul average HK$ 56851, £5168 per month
10-19 years :US$ 101,891 annul average HK$ 66229 , £6020 per month
20 years :US$ 113,908 annul average HK$ 74040, £6730 per month
p.s, these figures are all approximation, most of them will be extra commission by cases and year ended bonus share. In UK, calculating method maybe different depends on your practice area, law firm,government, or private company,and where are you graduated from, what region etc etc. I am sorry, but do you think those guys in cockpit should actually get more pay now.
Last edited by cx252; 31st Mar 2009 at 09:02.
