Flight training and career future...

[MAAZ INAM]

Hey guys,

How in the world can anyone fly as a full time Pilot if his job is very unsecured and involves risks such as losing medical and licence during career and involves long time away from home and luxurious events?

Why should I become a full time pilot if the job involves so many risks and so, why should I even begin my training?

Tragedies: 1) Terrorism act in 9/11
2) Oil Prices rise

[Nicholas]

Because realizing and achieving a dream is priceless.

[Grantmac]

Because FTUs employ some of the best sales techniques in the world. Most people only see the reality of the situation after they have sunk all their money and a significant amount of the banks into training.
Cheers,
Grant

[cubonfloats]

well it doesnt sound like you have that deep motivation and drive. I know lots of people who started in the aviation field thinking "this is cool" but had no passion for it...many have quit half way through their training or even after they have finished it!
DONT start your training unless you really want to pursue flying. dont think there is a fat paycheck for those who finish training...youd be lucky to be getting more than your friendly safeway checkout girls(or boys) for the first several years. do a lot of research...but remember, not all flying is in the airlines. there are jobs where you can come home (almost)everynight. some jobs are riskier than others, some jobs pay more than others. pick your poison
if its your dream, go for it. but if it is anything less than a dream and passion... with all due respect - save your time and money.

[FlaplessDork]

The best bumper sticker I saw was "Me, and All My Money, Go to 'such and such' Flying School."

Is any job really secure? The more you stick it out, the more your job becomes secure. Develope the experience and good reputation, and you don't have to worry.

or

Marry a Nurse or a Teacher and pursue your flying career without worry.

[Slappy the Squirrel]

Because even CEO's of multi-million dollar corporations don't have as good of a view from their office as we do... The other guys hit it right on the nose, you have to seriously enjoy doing it in order to make a career out of it. Also:
-Not too many guys I know have lost their medical/license for any extended period of time, almost any career can be limited by health
-some guys like to get away from home for a break
-as far as luxurious events goes... I have no idea what you are talking about
-the payoff is that you get to do something really cool and unique for a career, if you truly enjoy it

[C-GGGQ]

Marry a Nurse or a Teacher and pursue your flying career without worry.

Tried but my nurse girlfriend went psycho

[Invertago]

Marry a Nurse or a Teacher and pursue your flying career without worry.

Tried but my nurse girlfriend went psycho

Ahhh, a sexy nurse costume does not a sexy nurse make...

[C-GGGQ]

unfortunately all too true

[FreedomTC]

Try entering medical school. First get your BSC, 4 years, then 5 year Meds, the a few years in emerg, then go for your specialty, say heart surgery, another 4 years. After that 16 years, let me know what your 1st paycheck is.

[JBI]

Try entering medical school. First get your BSC, 4 years, then 5 year Meds, the a few years in emerg, then go for your specialty, say heart surgery, another 4 years. After that 16 years, let me know what your 1st paycheck is.

Depending where you go, Med School is usually 4 years, although a few programs in Canada are only 3 years. Once you're done you start your residency. If you become a family doctor, the residency is 2 years long but if you take a specialty, it's 5 years long (and then longer if you take a sub-specialty or fellowship).

Residency is paid. It varies across the country, but starts somewhere in the $45,000 a year range and finishes in the $70,000-$80,000 a year range (very rough estimates for Halifax). After that, then you get paid even more. Being on-call when a resident is ridiculous. Doctors don't have max duty hours. THey work all day, then on days when they are on call will stay at the hospital all night and then usually work until mid morning the next day. Yes, that's over 24 hours at work straight. It amazes me that we have regulations preventing pilots from flying for that long, yet a person could theoretically perform surgery after having not slept for 24 hours.

My rant aside, it is a long road to being a doctor, but they start getting paid right out of medical school.


As for pilots. I think being a pilot can be a very rewarding job, you need to go into things with your eyes open. Despite all the negativity in the industry, there are still many positive things about being a pilot. For many people, it can be an enjoyable, comfortably paying job with the perks of travel and the adrenaline rush of ___________ (fill in the blank with either: Flying an approach to Mins, bombing around on floats at tree top level, controlling the heavy iron on a transatlantic flight or all of the above). Some people would define this as 'living the dream' but I prefer to define it as finding a job in which you personally find that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Do as much research about the industry as you can before starting out. If you can accept the risks, know what you're getting into and still think that this is truly what you want to do. Work hard and you'll come out ok.

Cheers,
James Ball
Author of "So You Want to be a Pilot, Eh?"

[Hedley]

Nearly always, dentists have the nicest airplanes
at any given airport.

[E-Flyer]

Because realizing and achieving a dream is priceless.

There you go !

If you're consider to not fly because of it's risks, then go and open up a grocery store and wait for a thief to come and rob your store. I mean there's no risk in that.

Good Luck