Hello all, my name is Jake, I’m 23 years old. Fresh out of college, I’m currently working as an IT Specialist making 64k a year. I’m planning on joining ATP in January 2025 which gives me enough time to save at least 20k. The 20k in saving is for emergency uses only, so I will be financing my flight school with one of the loan options ATP offers. I have no current debts and my savings is in a high yield account. I will be quitting my job to focus my efforts on flight training full-time. My dream is to become an airline pilot but I can’t help but feel nervous for the serious financial risks I’ll be taking.
I’ve heard even with the fast track ATP offers it will still take 2 years to build flight time as a flight instructor. As most of you know CFI’s make poverty wages of $16/hr in most cases, higher in other schools. I’m tempted to wait another year and save more money to lessen the risk. I understand that every year I wait I lose out on future wages based on airline seniority. I also understand that there’s a chance to get into Cadet programs that offer sign on bonuses. But it’s difficult for me to count on such things.
If you have a minute I would love some advice from current Airline pilots whom were in a similar situation or any CFI’s out there currently able to make ends meet.
The vast majority of aspiring pilots aren’t wealthy and the finances are always a concern. What you need to understand is a year less of seniority is alot more than just lost wages. SENIORITY IS EVERYTHING at the airlines. EVERYTHING. Schedules, airplane choice, base, upgrade, furlough, vacation, etc etc etc. If you think about it someone has to be the “last” one to get something and someone else has to be the “first” not to. Even a week could mean alot long term.
My airline Hawaiian recently announced we’re being bought by Alaska. We have widebody airplanes, Alaska doesn’t. Many pilots came to Hawaiian hoping to fly a heavy in the first few years of their career. Those that were hired on to it are set and will be locked in but those who weren’t (even by a single class or bid) will be locked out. That’s not just a year of lost pay, that could mean hundreds of thousands long term. When I was at ExpressJet and the economy tanked in 2010 was able to barely keep my Capts seat. Those right behind me did not and took a 50% paycut.
Finally if you’ve been paying attention Spirit, United, and SWA have already announced they’re done hiring for the year and it’s only March. While there’s still a shortage it’s definitely slowing and we’ll continue to do so.
Long short is sooner is always better in this industry. Even if it means tightening your belt a little more.
Btw, you don’t mention any flying experience? If you have none I strongly recommend you get some before diving in with both feet.
Thank you for your directness and honesty. Please forgive my nativity, it feels like most of the internet glamorizes the pilot career. I’ve only been researching the path for a few months now. You’re absolutely correct in that I don’t have any flying experience except for a few discovery flights in years past. I originally was going to get my private pilot certificate then consider if I want a career in aviation. However, I got caught up with the fact that seniority is everything so I figured I’d study at ATP to fast track my career. In addition, ATP seemed like a decent path in terms of available financing options. Although based on your response, I feel as though I should revisit my original plan to ensure I want to pursue this.
Your response was tremendously helpful. I’ll be doing some serious rethinking along with more research.
Nothing to forgive and I’m not trying to dissuade you. I LOVE my job but it’s not all wine and roses and it requires a huge amount of commitment and sacrifice in the beginning. I think it’s important perspective pilots know what they’re getting themselves into.
Have you heard the phrase, you cant “have your cake and eat it too”? Well that’s flight training in the beginning. You have to take a financial risk, you have to believe in yourself and chose to put in the work to be successful regardless of what it will take.
Could you wait and have a better safety net? Sure, but what if by the time you get to 1500 hours hiring is few and far between… well your safe choice in the beginning jeopardized your future career success before it even began. The best thing you can do is to make an educated and calculated risk, put in the initial sacrifices knowing the payoff will come.