Thinking of flying for a living? Think again...

[Goran_M]

Jason posted this on his Facebook profile.

Being a pilot is not as glamorous as it used to be. If you absolutely LOVE flying, and don't have any commitments, and are living on a shoestring budget, then it can be ok for the first several years. Otherwise, think twice.

What really got me was they can work for 16 hours a day and get paid for only 1 hour. They only get paid from the moment the doors close on the aircraft when departing to the moment the doors open on arrival. No pay for layovers or other time spent at the airport.

First year FO on a regional airline can earn $22 000 GROSS.

Bus drivers make more than that!

http://youtu.be/1gqPH8UZWcw

[Ben Russell]

That said, I still kick myself for not taking lessons when I had the chance 'cause I thought these "reasons" mattered.

They don't.

[flyinhawaiian]

I'm a flight instructor now and its sad that I'd be taking a pay cut to go to the regionals. No way, I'm going to pay my dues here and move up to a sim-center where I can make the leap to corporate aviation. I refuse to fly for food stamps...

[hobofat]

What really got me was they can work for 16 hours a day and get paid for only 1 hour. They only get paid from the moment the doors close on the aircraft when departing to the moment the doors open on arrival. No pay for layovers or other time spent at the airport.

Seem to works that way when people jump at the bit to work a certain job. Same kind of thinking seems to go into education -- "Oh these people find real satisfaction in their work, let's pay them pocket change, at least they're doing what they love!"