The impending airline pilot shortage is prompting a lot of thought in the ranks of general aviation flyers. Jamie is a 30-year-old private pilot with two kids who is financially challenged enough to give up his membership in a local flying club; who does not have a degree; and whose wife’s income will barely support the family if he leaves his $70,000-per-year electrician’s job to chase the dream. “I’ve been thinking about this for four years. I don’t know what to do,” he said. We asked readers to respond with their advice, and the messages came pouring in (see “Career Advisor: Cold Feet,” September 2012 Flight Training).
Ben says, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did. I first flew at age 20 but dropped out because I could not afford it. Thirty years later, I finally achieved my private pilot certificate. At age 50, I will never be anything but a private. Hindsight being 20/20, I would say, go for it.”
Kendall says, “I am in a similar circumstance as Jamie, although I am 52. It is a very big leap to leave a good, steady job for the call of the skies. The additional time and expense for a family man to earn all the ratings far outweigh the benefits of entering a career field at the bottom rung with uncertain prospects for better opportunities. ”
Jean, a Master CFI, writes, “I have been instructing for 30 years and have heard similar stories as Jamie’s. In only one case did the situation work out for a quick jump to the airlines. He was 55 years old with all of his ratings. His brother worked for an airline and helped pave the way. This gentleman’s annual salary was about $17,000. Think about using flying skills to fly for the CAP or becoming an instructor.”
Chip puts a pencil to it: “Seventy thousand dollars in five or seven years is not the same as $70,000 today. Out of that will come loan payments he currently does not have that will set him back another $9,000 to $12,000 annually. Further, if he commutes to work, that will cost. Plus, there will be stress on the marriage.
“As one who is losing his job to the shrinking RJ market, I can say firsthand that the dynamic is changing. Delta alone will cut more than 200 airframes from its regional fleets in the next couple of years, and it may be more. United may do the same.
“My advice given his condition is to do what Wayne says: Fly for fun; get the CFI. If he can get to 1,500 hours and acquire the experience and knowledge required by the regulations in time, then he can reconsider applying with the airlines with a clear conscience and a good credit score.”
Captain Bob, a Boeing 777 pilot, gives his perspective. “I was fortunate to land my airline career at age 24. Except for my obligatory three-year furlough early on, I am still enjoying my career.
“At your present phase of life with all of your obligations, not to mention competing with those young college grads with their ratings and experience, achieving an airline career might be a bit too optimistic—not to mention unrealistic. You have three important things going for you: a supportive wife; a good income; and a love for flying. Keep your current job and income, which allow you to provide for your family. Invest a comfortable allowance to advance your aviation skills and ratings. You will continue to do what you love (fly!) while also providing for your family at the same time.”
Chad is a 39-year-old professional pilot with an ATP and 2,000 hours. A former auto mechanic flying a Cessna 310 outfitted for cargo at $52,000 annually, he says, “No regional would hire me because I have no college degree. I flew Part 135 air freight and got laid off when they lost the routes. That paid $25,000. Don’t give up your day job, and if you can pay cash up front for your training, you will be a better pilot and have no debt. I will warn you that the regionals will look at your past income of $70,000 and most likely will not talk to you.”
Peter worked in the HVAC business for 40 years; he left at age 56 to start a local airport business. He writes: “After six years our flight school is holding its own. We became airport managers. We get out of bed every morning with the step of a much younger person.”
Charlie is, like Jamie, a pilot working in the trades. “Congratulations on your current position in the skilled trades. We are in need of workers like you. I agree with Wayne: Seek opportunities close to home to engage in the passion for flight. Join your local airport association. Be willing to lend a hand at the airport when someone needs lifters for wing installation. Help those young kids grow by staying near home; ride a bike; fish; hike; hunt; swim. Do all that and still get involved in the aviation love affair that you have.”
Jim wanted to make a change from a successful automobile repair business at age 30. “My decision was to stay with the business and provide a comfortable life for my wife and children. My wife is a flight attendant at a large regional airline who has met young men who are $60,000 to $100,000 in debt, and it will be a long time before they make $60,000 a year.
“Difficult as it may seem, there are options. Get your CFI. Make contacts and do corporate or volunteer flying. Often it is not a matter of either/or but merely modifying your dreams while still feeling good about your decision.”
Wayne, a union electrician since 1973 and a CFI since 1974, says pointedly: “I would keep my day job.”
Bob from New Jersey also is an electrician. “You shouldn’t give up your dreams. but, as you get older, you will find that it is not the worst pill in life that you have to swallow. It’s becoming harder and harder to find good electricians. When I look back at what I passed up in my younger years and what I have with my family today, it doesn’t bother me at all and I would not change a thing.”
Simon provides this encouragement that happiness can be found outside of airline and corporate flying: “During my training, I met a lot of industry contacts who noticed I was motivated to teach and share with others the joy of not only flying but theory also. I have recently accepted the job of chief ground instructor at a very well-known large school that trains airline cadets as well as degree students for airline entry. Now I have the best of both worlds: flying and talking about flying!”
Buddy is a retired Air Force and American Airlines pilot. He reminds career seekers that the best jobs with the best pay are at the major airlines. At one airline, candidates are scored on a point system. So, for Jamie and others like him who would like to move up the chain, he needs maximum points available based upon ATP; complex jet time; college and/or military academy education; mid 20s to late 30s (preferred); 20/20 vision uncorrected; and proper weight for height. His buddy, who was rejected at a major airline, was disqualified because of “too much helicopter time and only 800 hours of jet time at age 42; over the weight limit.” His pal had flown Air Force Two and did not earn enough points for the job.
Gary flies for a major airline. He says, “Airline flying is a good job, but it is a long haul to the majors with no guarantees. I got to the majors, but during my airline career, I have experienced low pay at a regional airline; a ‘B’ scale; a hiring freeze; a furlough; a strike; a pay cut; a merger; and three times being displaced from the captain’s seat—and my career has not been all that bad by airline standards!
“My advice is to try some form of commercial aviation such as small freight or charter. You can obtain a commercial certificate relatively quickly. But don’t leap in. If you like it, you will be in the circles where you may have a connection to the next step; and you will be building flight time and experience in the process.”
KC left a $100,000-a-year job at age 35 and went after the fantasy. “I am now in my seventh year as a first officer on a Boeing 737 with a major airline. I can tell you by my experience that it does work and one’s determination is, in my opinion, more important than anything else—including a college degree. Do your due diligence and make the decision that is best for you and your family, but don’t underestimate what you can achieve.”
Overwhelmingly, the sage advice from those who have been down this road is: Never give up a stable career and lifestyle to cripple yourself with crushing debt in order to satisfy the lust for flight as a professional pilot. If you are hellbent on this path, then pay as you go. There are many alternatives to professional flying that can give tremendous satisfaction while maintaining solvency. With time, that experience might be parlayed into a professional career.
For those who go into this industry with their eyes wide open and are prepared financially and emotionally, flying professionally does beat working for a living.
Wayne Phillips, an airline transport pilot with Boeing 737 and Falcon 20 type ratings, is a B-737 instructor and operates the Airline Training Orientation Program. “Career Advisor” will return next month. Send questions to [email protected].
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