Wanna Be an Airline Pilot?

When I first switched from a comfortable career in hi-tech to the uncertainty and low pay of a regional airline pilot, I was frequently asked for advice about a career in aviation. Its a common joke among airline pilots to tell those seeking advice about the career to run away. Thats still the flippant advice I initially offer when Im asked, as a reader recently did.

Editorial Staff

Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A career as an airline pilot demands significant initial investment and involves long hours, extensive time away from home, and low pay, contrasting sharply with its past "glory years."
Despite these drawbacks, the profession offers unique personal rewards, including the unparalleled experience of flying advanced aircraft and enjoying a distinct "office view."
Success in this field requires aspiring pilots to have extremely realistic expectations, accepting initial low wages, uncertain schedules, and demanding operational conditions.
With a developing pilot shortage, it could be an opportune time to enter the profession, potentially leading to improved pay and more stable conditions after the initial challenging years.

See a mistake? Contact us.

When I first switched from a comfortable career in hi-tech to the uncertainty and low pay of a regional airline pilot, I was frequently asked for advice about a career in aviation. It’s a common joke among airline pilots to tell those seeking advice about the career to run away. That’s still the flippant advice I initially offer when I’m asked, as a reader recently did.

The reality is that the hours can be long, time away from home is usually extreme, career uncertainty is probably higher than in any other industry, sometimes the infrastructure seems built on a house of cards, and the pay is abysmal compared to the investment in time and training required to become qualified. Nonetheless, it has its rewards.