But Don't Runaway!

An investigation of life as a pilot

New York. Paris. South Africa. Moscow. Singapore. Tokyo. San Francisco. And the list goes on. You may think traveling the world and meeting individuals from different countries would be the life to have with no negative consequences. Unfortunately, this life of travel brings many pilots and other aviation personnel misery as they find themselves dwelled in a routine that separates them from their loved ones for a prolonged period of time. The trade-offs in any given profession are large. I focus my article on the life of pilots. From schooling and training to flying and traveling, the life of a pilot entails a journey of discoveries, dedication, and passion, but also, longing and exhaustion. 

Schooling Through Money 

Becoming a pilot takes more than just dedication. Pilots are required to go through a series of steps to obtain the license they want. For example, a common path is to obtain a Private Pilot Certificate, then Commercial Pilot Certificate, and finally, a Flight Instructor Certificate. Depending on the type of job you wish to obtain, this process can be three to five steps. In addition to paying for certificates, you will have to pay for flight sessions, uniform, and any required gadgets. Becoming a pilot does not merely require knowledge of flying, but adequate understanding of laws of motion, meteorology, aircraft systems, engines, and navigation ("Becoming an Airline Pilot"). Therefore, flying lessons are equally as important as prior classes. 

At the end of the schooling period, a pilot will have an average debt ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 ("Becoming an Airline Pilot"). Essentially, expenditure on two years of pilot school is equivalent to that spent getting a four year college degree. However, if you stick through the plan, you will be out of school and working in two years, which means these costs can be recovered with time and interest of course! 

It is important to note that some airlines may require their candidates to have a bachelors degree, in any major at all ("The Truth About The Profession"). These are normally airlines that receive a large number of applicants. For the most part, the amount of flying experience you bring forth will give you an upper hand when applying for positions. 

Taking Off 

The excitement of starting a career overjoys everyone. With a fresh new license in hand and hundreds of flying hours as experience, you are now ready to take over the world. Literally. Depending on your experiences and credentials, you may or may not qualify to fly long, international flights right off the bat. Don't worry! Whether you are flying domestically or internationally, you will have the opportunity to travel and discover new cities. For a passionate traveler, this is a dream come true: getting paid for flying to various lands of joy. 

Although starting pay may be around $40,000-50,000, after flying for 10 years, pay can be expected to increase to nearly $300,000 ("Becoming an Airline Pilot"). Because you are now responsible for the lives of everyone on the aircraft, there is a great sense of liability that comes with flying a plane. This liability can result in loss of money if a lawsuit is involved. Therefore, stress levels may be high when you are new to the business.  

Additional stress may drive from long or back to back flying hours assigned to you. Now, unlike during training, pilots can't decide when and when not to fly. As it is said, "rain or shine, the show must go on". So flexibility is not really a thing at first. To gain flexibility, you must achieve seniority and that comes from years of flying experience. In fact, as starting pilot, you will less likely be working for a carrier of your ultimate choice due to the lack of experience. 

Mid Air

Mid-life crisis hits everyone. For pilots, this might be a little too hard. Around this time in your career as a pilot, you may be thinking about establishing a family -- if not, you are certainly thinking about settling down or getting a break. After all, the adventurous life can become exhausting at one point. 

At this point, you may want venture into a less stressful and commitment-requiring industry or stick it out and retire with the airline you've been working as that will result in a sweet bonus.  

Studies show most pilots are in business because they have a passion for flying. This passion may get in the way of relationships as you will constantly be away from home and your family. For example, you may miss Christmas with your mom in Seattle, a friend's wedding in Hong Kong, or your child's first day of school in Florence. Due to the lack of complete control over your work schedule and travel destinations, you will have no other choice.
As a result, divorce rates are amongst one of the highest in the aviation industry (Oppenheim). Time is not set in stone for pilots. During the mid-years of their careers, pilots are working more and more hours to gain experience and move up the tier-ladder of carrier companies. Despite as great as flying around may seem, the lack of a set schedule and time may become a barrier in relationships for pilots. You may have to make travel your spouse at this point. 

Landing Smoothly

Regardless, working as a pilot comes with large perks for those that absolutely love flying. Whether working for a small airline or a large airline, having the opportunity to travel to new places and old, as part of the job, is rewarding. At first, traveling may be exhausting but once accustomed to the routine of flying, vacationing, sleeping, and flying, making vacation out of each hold or break between flying becomes easier.  Imagine establishing a group of friends in various parts of the world. That would be very cool! 

At the end of the day, it depends on what you make out of the experience (Halbfinger). The journey of becoming and being a pilot may be a curse or a blessing. Some people can go an entire lifetime traveling and meeting new people, and others will require a break. Therefore, you may travel 100,000 miles but not have earned a single mile of happiness or you may travel 1,000 miles and earn tremendous happiness; the result is in your hands, for not every movement from point A to point B is a journey and not every journey required travels of miles.

References

"Becoming an Airline Pilot | Pilot Training | Latest Pilot Jobs |." Becoming an Airline Pilot | Pilot Training | Latest Pilot Jobs |. N.p., n.d. Web.

Halbfinger, David M., Matthew Wald L., and Christopher Drew. "Pilots’ Lives Defy Glamorous Stereotype." The New York Times. The New York Times, n.d. Web.

Oppenheim, Lance. "Home Is Where the Parking Lot Is." The New York Times. The New York Times, 05 Sept. 2016. Web. 

Unknown. "The Truth About The Profession." The Truth About The Profession. Weebly, n.d. Web. 

Pictures from: 

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