Son wants to be a pilot
Discussion
Can't be of much help other than anecdotally a mates cousin got his license at great expense to his parents eventually landing a job flying long haul. He decided that long haul wasn't for him, even though he was a bachelor at the time and ended up doing shoter haul and regional type flights which he still is on what given the outlay required is a fairly modest salary.
Unofficially the word was he was expecting longer at the destination than the reality, think its about 3 or 4 days? Not sure I believe that as you'd expect it's fairly common knowledge to particularly to anyone wanting to spend that sort of money to qualify.
I think it would be a cool job, ultimately your responsible for a lot of people's lives everytime you fly and it's perhaps not as glamorous as it seems. Can't see it being easy when you start a family for example but I'm sure plenty of pilots do!
Unofficially the word was he was expecting longer at the destination than the reality, think its about 3 or 4 days? Not sure I believe that as you'd expect it's fairly common knowledge to particularly to anyone wanting to spend that sort of money to qualify.
I think it would be a cool job, ultimately your responsible for a lot of people's lives everytime you fly and it's perhaps not as glamorous as it seems. Can't see it being easy when you start a family for example but I'm sure plenty of pilots do!
Jakey123 said:
I work in the engineering side of it and the industry certainly has a lot of negatives.
A lot of the airline flying is pushing buttons and then following checklists.
The entry level pay isn't in line with the effort and outlay needed to obtain your license (be that engineer or flight crew!). It takes years to get to a decent salary and even then its comfortable not 'mega', you won't be lording it up by any stretch of the imagination and wages/conditions have only gone one way through covid.
As mentioned its lots of 3am starts, 2am finishes, bank Holidays and weekends missed, delays and brief stops in the same hotels you've been in 50 times before!
Depends what you want in life I suppose!
Not sure who you work for but it’s not like that at all in my airline. A lot of the airline flying is pushing buttons and then following checklists.
The entry level pay isn't in line with the effort and outlay needed to obtain your license (be that engineer or flight crew!). It takes years to get to a decent salary and even then its comfortable not 'mega', you won't be lording it up by any stretch of the imagination and wages/conditions have only gone one way through covid.
As mentioned its lots of 3am starts, 2am finishes, bank Holidays and weekends missed, delays and brief stops in the same hotels you've been in 50 times before!
Depends what you want in life I suppose!
I’m just heading off for a week in the Caribbean with a great crew, it’s basically a paid holiday where everything is free in the hotel plus I’m on 24hour allowances. I intend doing a kite surfing course whilst I’m away plus some drinking.
I absolutely love my job and look forwards to going to work, it gives me a great work life balance and I’ve been to far more of the kids events at school than most of the other dads who work normal office hours. I only fly about 600 hours a year so I get loads of time off
Our new pilots all earn decent money and recruitment days are full of new applicants wanting to join. Someone’s experience as a pilot depends entirely on who they work for.
As ever most of the negativity is from people not actually doing the job.
I would absolutely do it again given the chance and would happily recommend it to anyone including my own children.
A realistic picture of the industry is that many U.K. airlines are recruiting or will be again soon but many are looking for type rated pilots.
By the time your son becomes qualified though things will have much improved.
Many airlines now offer mpl schemes which might be an attractive option where your training is linked to an employer so you have a job lined up at the end but obviously you have to pay for your training.
Some information about the difference between modular and mpl schemes
https://www.pilotcareernews.com/mpl-or-atpl-which-...
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 3rd May 07:17
Just a couple of thoughts.
I spent my entire life flying and loved every minute of it. It wasn't a job at all and I can't really remember a time I woke up and felt like not going to work.
My background was very similar to almost every pilot I met. I got my PPL at 16, knew I wanted to be a pilot and focused on that. Went to Uni on an AFROTC scholarship. and then into the military (the US but the avenues in the UK are similar). Spent 10 years on active duty and then went and flew commercially. It was the early 80s when I got hired and things were moving very fast then.
Got married just before I left the active military and had three children. Luckily, none of them want to be a pilot! While I wouldn't dissuade them if that was their choice, it isn't for everyone.
If your son doesn't select the military route, then be prepared to fork over a boatload of cash, there is financing available and I even believe there is a scheme through Student Finance.
Again, for me, the lifestyle was fine. However, your son has got to forget about things like weekends, Christmas/New Year holidays, a 9-5 life and much much more. If he gets married and wants a family, he'd better have a very understanding partner! I did and we are coming up on 38 years! But, I have several friends who have been married 2-3 times and are pretty miserable.
Your son needs to realise he is one medical away from not having a flying career. I have seen many cases of that and it is a very tough thing to watch. Luckily, the airlines I worked for had programs for medical retirement. But, if you haven't been there for a number of years, the benefits will be very low. So, better have some type of plan to cover that.
If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a PM. Good luck!!
I spent my entire life flying and loved every minute of it. It wasn't a job at all and I can't really remember a time I woke up and felt like not going to work.
My background was very similar to almost every pilot I met. I got my PPL at 16, knew I wanted to be a pilot and focused on that. Went to Uni on an AFROTC scholarship. and then into the military (the US but the avenues in the UK are similar). Spent 10 years on active duty and then went and flew commercially. It was the early 80s when I got hired and things were moving very fast then.
Got married just before I left the active military and had three children. Luckily, none of them want to be a pilot! While I wouldn't dissuade them if that was their choice, it isn't for everyone.
If your son doesn't select the military route, then be prepared to fork over a boatload of cash, there is financing available and I even believe there is a scheme through Student Finance.
Again, for me, the lifestyle was fine. However, your son has got to forget about things like weekends, Christmas/New Year holidays, a 9-5 life and much much more. If he gets married and wants a family, he'd better have a very understanding partner! I did and we are coming up on 38 years! But, I have several friends who have been married 2-3 times and are pretty miserable.
Your son needs to realise he is one medical away from not having a flying career. I have seen many cases of that and it is a very tough thing to watch. Luckily, the airlines I worked for had programs for medical retirement. But, if you haven't been there for a number of years, the benefits will be very low. So, better have some type of plan to cover that.
If you have any other questions, feel free to send me a PM. Good luck!!
I have no idea what bank holidays, Christmas, a social life, or other 9 to 5 Monday to Friday stuff are, in fact I was at work yesterday wondering why there was no traffic on the roads 
I'm not a Pilot (I wish) just a Freelance TV cameraman, and have been for 35 years. Before that I was a van courier, taxi driver and motorcycle dispatch rider, oh and worked on a farm 7 days a week, 0600 to 2300.
I like not being part of the norm, so don't let that bit put him off being a pilot.
Good luck with it all.
I'm not a Pilot (I wish) just a Freelance TV cameraman, and have been for 35 years. Before that I was a van courier, taxi driver and motorcycle dispatch rider, oh and worked on a farm 7 days a week, 0600 to 2300.
I like not being part of the norm, so don't let that bit put him off being a pilot.
Good luck with it all.
As I see it every ‘want to be a pilot’ thread eventually goes the same way every ‘want to buy a boat’ thread does: There’ll be people for whom it’s their life, they love it and would wholeheartedly recommend it. There’ll be the ones who’ve done it, it’s cost them a fair amount but they generally wouldn’t undo it. There’ll be the unlucky ones who got their fingers burnt and will try to turn you off it. There’ll be those who did it almost on a whim and hadn’t gone in fully prepared and committed and are now bitter, and there’ll be the ones who have never done it and parrot tired tropes from a position of ignorance.
Mercifully within the first couple of pages of this thread there’s been a good mix of sensible advice and experience. I’d have your son read it all and maybe take up some of the offers of PM’s from this forums many pilots, lots of sage advice.
PS: who on gods green earth wants to be off work on a bank holiday? Guaranteed rain and people everywhere! I’ll take day drinking on a quiet sunny Wednesday thanks.
PPS: tell him to become an ATCO, we don’t have the northern lights but we do have strip lights and slightly better coffee.
Mercifully within the first couple of pages of this thread there’s been a good mix of sensible advice and experience. I’d have your son read it all and maybe take up some of the offers of PM’s from this forums many pilots, lots of sage advice.
PS: who on gods green earth wants to be off work on a bank holiday? Guaranteed rain and people everywhere! I’ll take day drinking on a quiet sunny Wednesday thanks.
PPS: tell him to become an ATCO, we don’t have the northern lights but we do have strip lights and slightly better coffee.
My friend flies for one of the large middle Eastern airlines.
He started his training with some assurance of a job from them after, but it still meant he had to loan money and have security for his training costs (a rental accomodation).
He like the lifestyle. He's settled there with a family. But it does sound like a precarious life depending on industry trends and they appear quite ruthless with performance targets.
Where he lives the pilots are quite well regarded as the national carrier, but the air hostesses are required to live in airline accomodation with curfews (I think this is becoming the case for new pilots too). Fraternising between pilots and air crew is a big no-no.
And of course, there's the obvious cliche of long-haul flights of seeing the world, just one airport and hotel at a time. He only occasionally gets time to adventure before needing to return.
He started his training with some assurance of a job from them after, but it still meant he had to loan money and have security for his training costs (a rental accomodation).
He like the lifestyle. He's settled there with a family. But it does sound like a precarious life depending on industry trends and they appear quite ruthless with performance targets.
Where he lives the pilots are quite well regarded as the national carrier, but the air hostesses are required to live in airline accomodation with curfews (I think this is becoming the case for new pilots too). Fraternising between pilots and air crew is a big no-no.
And of course, there's the obvious cliche of long-haul flights of seeing the world, just one airport and hotel at a time. He only occasionally gets time to adventure before needing to return.
djc206 said:
Which iteration? I assume you’ve got a nice crew rest area on that?
It’s the 6000. The new 7500 is a big step up in terms of performance and crew / passenger comfort. Apparently they’re straight up to FL470 fully loaded and M0.88. We only hit those levels in the last few hours of flight. They’ve also got a much better rest area; ours is ‘usable’ - think business class seat on BA kind of thing - but not amazing. I actually sleep better in the cockpit!
It’s the cabin pressure on these things that makes the difference - roughly 4000 feet - and really helps with comfort. That and the quietness. Fantastic machines.
Crumpet said:
It’s the 6000. The new 7500 is a big step up in terms of performance and crew / passenger comfort. Apparently they’re straight up to FL470 fully loaded and M0.88. We only hit those levels in the last few hours of flight.
They’ve also got a much better rest area; ours is ‘usable’ - think business class seat on BA kind of thing - but not amazing. I actually sleep better in the cockpit!
It’s the cabin pressure on these things that makes the difference - roughly 4000 feet - and really helps with comfort. That and the quietness. Fantastic machines.
Sounds like a pretty good office to me. Maybe have a word with the boss and float the idea of an upgrade?They’ve also got a much better rest area; ours is ‘usable’ - think business class seat on BA kind of thing - but not amazing. I actually sleep better in the cockpit!
It’s the cabin pressure on these things that makes the difference - roughly 4000 feet - and really helps with comfort. That and the quietness. Fantastic machines.
Oh to have the cash to fly in the back of one!
The points look well covered above. I still love it after almost 25yrs. A partner who does similar is a big help when you explain you're missing another Christmas etc.
Like any well paid job, it's not all easy and they get their money's worth out of you.
I still really enjoy being in the sky and exploring my destinations. More than half my career has been long haul and I'm due to return to it. The variety of possible flying careers is huge. It's reasonable to say that after a few years you'll know what you want from it and be able to find it. For example, love living in Scotland and easy commute then a turboprop job could be perfect. Love time away and longer trips and some more dosh then head for longhaul, probably London based. Plus lots in between.
Best of luck to your son.
Like any well paid job, it's not all easy and they get their money's worth out of you.
I still really enjoy being in the sky and exploring my destinations. More than half my career has been long haul and I'm due to return to it. The variety of possible flying careers is huge. It's reasonable to say that after a few years you'll know what you want from it and be able to find it. For example, love living in Scotland and easy commute then a turboprop job could be perfect. Love time away and longer trips and some more dosh then head for longhaul, probably London based. Plus lots in between.
Best of luck to your son.
djc206 said:
PS: who on gods green earth wants to be off work on a bank holiday? Guaranteed rain and people everywhere! I’ll take day drinking on a quiet sunny Wednesday thanks.
Exactly I'm on a shift contract at the mo' and it's just been changed from every other weekend off to working one weekend in three.
I hate it. I don't want to go anywhere at the weekend as the roads are full of idiots, as are the shops, cinemas and restaurants.
Much prefer time off in the week.
Still as I'm freelance too, I tend to pick up work elsewhere at the weekends but I miss my mid-week days off.
Mabbs9 said:
The points look well covered above. I still love it after almost 25yrs. A partner who does similar is a big help when you explain you're missing another Christmas etc.
Like any well paid job, it's not all easy and they get their money's worth out of you.
I still really enjoy being in the sky and exploring my destinations. More than half my career has been long haul and I'm due to return to it. The variety of possible flying careers is huge. It's reasonable to say that after a few years you'll know what you want from it and be able to find it. For example, love living in Scotland and easy commute then a turboprop job could be perfect. Love time away and longer trips and some more dosh then head for longhaul, probably London based. Plus lots in between.
Best of luck to your son.
Only asking as when I lived south of the M25 my neighbours were a very nice chap and his lovely wife, both airline pilots. Had a greyhound as well.Like any well paid job, it's not all easy and they get their money's worth out of you.
I still really enjoy being in the sky and exploring my destinations. More than half my career has been long haul and I'm due to return to it. The variety of possible flying careers is huge. It's reasonable to say that after a few years you'll know what you want from it and be able to find it. For example, love living in Scotland and easy commute then a turboprop job could be perfect. Love time away and longer trips and some more dosh then head for longhaul, probably London based. Plus lots in between.
Best of luck to your son.
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