Actually, not a terrible video as far as the facts go. A lot of attention is given to the higher rates the wide body CA’s are paid, but the hustle culture newer carriers like SW and JB will give you even more opportunities to make money. I transitioned from a partially paid LOA during COVID to an unpaid one due to my own business growing, and health concerns my wife is battling. Not sure I’m going back, but if I were flying now, with the seniority I have, I could literally book a line that all paid double. I’ve always been able to structure 3 months every year where I only fly a few days. It accommodates the times the farm needs me 24/7. On the 3rd month, I flew and collected vacation pay. Another thing is my airline pays on a basis called “trip for pay.” It basically means you get paid about 115% of the actual time you fly. This is how you get guys like me who have been over $500k for years, and with the pilot shortage, this year some will hit $750k at my airline, maybe $800k. One thing you have to remember, the hustle culture airlines work you (safely) a lot more. We turn our planes quick, and our overnights aren’t mini getaways. Often, when subtracting the tide 2 and from the airport, doing the 3 S’s, you can sleep 7-8 hrs. If it was a longer over night, 1w hrs or so, I did office work I’d normally have to do at the farm. The good thing about that, is you can make that money working 12 days per month on the months you fly a full line. It’s a great career. But I always told all my girlfriends I was a baggage handler to avoid the gold diggers, and when I met my wife and things became serious, I explained to her that she would be living the life of a baggage handler and dirt farmers wife. She actually loved that about me. Together we built a great farming enterprise Have a side gig, something you and your spouse can work as a team. Investments, real estate,insurance. As far as the big investment in training, latch on to a salty pilot who is a CFI, but doesn’t train many students. In my case, it was my dad, but what gets you your credentials is passing the written and the rides. It doesn’t matter if Donald Duck trained you. That signature from the FAA is the same either way. I built the rest of my experience in the military. Active duty, then the reserves. I let the govt pay for my college as an enlisted reservist as well, along with free state school tuition in my state. So college was a net profit for me. Hope this is helpful.
I'm an airline pilot who went the civilian route. I borrowed $90k and worked close to 80 hours a week as a CFI in order to get my 1500 hours in order to apply to get a job, which I didn't get until 1600 hours. It took me 4 years start to regional airline. I'm currently living as modestly as I can because my loans take $1,000 a month off the top. With the industry all about seniority, the new pilots are paid peanuts while the most experienced rake in the dough. Seniority doesn't make a safe pilot, but there are few objective standards that make safe pilots. Until that seniority standard changes and training costs are lowered you won't see a decrease in pilot salaries. Plus it is a highly technical career with catastrophic consequences for mistakes, so the high pay makes sense to me.
General Rendar, I am a 17 year old high school senior who will begin flight training next year at a university. Do you have any advice for student pilots?
I'm a pilot, and a dad. Let me tell you how I deal with the whole gone from home a lot thing. It is a different lifestyle. But follow the lifestyle of doctors who make similar, and often way less money, and you'll quickly see. At Southwest, you have on average 15 days off STARTING on reserve. Going worst case, which is commuting (in my case). I commute to work (meaning I have to catch a space available ride on any airline to get to work) because I love where I live and it is close to family for my young kids. This certainly adds time. I typically leave by 2pm the day before, but I often (not always) get home around 4pm my last day. So let's just say that the average day of reserve I work is 24 hours away from home, plus 2 hours (leaving at 2, getting back at 4). Let's look at September. I worked three 4-day reserve trips and one 3-day. I did this math several times to be sure, so here we go. 24 hours x 30 days in Sept means 720 hours. Based on my timing, that puts me at being home 352 total hours. My wife was home 530 hours. OK... yikes. Or is it? The way I see it, eight hours a day (ideally), you sleep, or are committed to it. Let's omit that, because you can sleep anywhere. Now we're at 290 hours at home for my wife vs 224 for me as a brand new First Officer on reserve. You would have to have 19 days off to really match, which isn't extremely likely, but if you are willing to or able to move so you do not commute, and once you're not among the most junior pilots, there's no contest. I have a short commute, and it would still buy me back 40-50 hours/month at home. But even with that 290/224 (waking home hours) split between my wife and me, you have to consider something else. In my wife's 190 gone hours, she is wholly committed to being at work. That's 8.6666 hours/day between working and driving. Then she has to get groceries, diapers, feed herself and the kids, maybe find time to exercise. Then hope the kids get to bed on time so she can have the precious hour or two to herself. Meanwhile, even if I work a 12 hour day, all I have to worry about is finding food and getting enough sleep. I often work less than that in a day so I do get time to do what I want. Wander around town, work out, play video games, go to a movie. As long as you can show up for work properly rested, it is your time. Obviously, it sounds like wife is getting the short end of the stick here. But let's imagine we were both working 40 hour (or more) work weeks (as is the case with so many families). Would our kids be better off? When I am home, there are no reports or phone calls to make (usually). I walk off the plane and it stays behind me until I come back. I am effectively a highly paid stay at home dad for half the month. I don't always do as much as I could, but I generally try to tackle most of the large chores in addition to maintenance while taking the kids to the park, or the museum, or wherever the hell else I want to take them because I have all day. Sometimes I am home seven days in a row because that's how my schedule turned out. Nobody else gets to do that unless they have vacation or catch covid. It's the best, and highest paid part time job there is.
The most over analyzed and type A comment here. Did you mention you were a pilot? Oh wait. First three words. But it’s true….I too am a pilot. I live in base so I win. 😏
@@yohonomoe5095 Considering most airlines have bases in crap cities that I wouldn't consider moving to, sure. I figured saying "I am a pilot" instead of "as a pilot" was slightly less douchey. And lastly, I hadn't originally thought of this, but it came up recently in the cockpit when my captain was talking about how his wife was bitching to him that he was gone too much and he figured out for her that he was home more than her (as a non commuter). So I did my own math to see. Plus, the dollar amount for how much I'm gone compared to most hourly workers (especially college educated) is just embarrassing.
As a new CFI aspiring to go to the regionals thanks for this information! another barrier to this industry from my experience is a information barrier unless you are directly connected to a pilot a lot of this first hand experience isn't easy to get.
You guys are right. Pilots are cocky and make too much compared to others. They need to start paying those ATC fees and prohibit passing the cost onto non passengers.
This was an awesome comment thanks for all the detail. I'm heading to a 2 week accelerated flight school to finish up my CFI and CFII in November. Hopefully I'll get to the airlines in the next few years and ride the pilot shortage wave up to the top of the pay scale before I hit 65 years old 😅. Currently 31.
One of my friends got a really good deal, he became a captain at All Nippon Airways with 122,000$ in training, and his salary is around 87,000$ a year, (B737 Pilot), and got hired 2 years back, due to a massive shortage, he got promoted to Captain in just 9 months, and only 2 years later, he is a 787 Captain with a salary of 250,000$ a year from overtime ,so in just 6-7 years after graduating, my friend is a Boeing 787-8/9/10 captain, making 250,000$ a year.
There are lots of stories like that. You have to learn the local language and culture and live overseas away from family. But you can advance quickly. Many stories like that in growth airlines like Qatar Airways or Emirates. In some middle east countries there are laws stating the airlines have to pay pilots a minimum salary.
My neighbor is a pilot he flew fighter jets and then became a flight instructor and then regional airline then Emirates, and now he's at Delta pulling half a million+ retiring in the next few years!
@@Pilot_Kushh Here you go: Pilot pay at Delta Air Lines ranges from $64,000 per year for a new first officer up to $257,000 per year for a senior captain.
Dad is a pilot, also have to remember that to become a FO or captain requires years and years to get into the big companies. Hence why many are seasoned Air Force or have spent a decade at regional airlines. That being said I’m a nurse and certainly wish we were paid more for what we do.
Well the reason pilots are paid so well is because if they wanted to they could kill 400+ people at the same time including themselves and destroy an airline's reputation.
Really good video my friend, lots of correct information the major media outlets overlook or misinterpret. I currently have got 600 hours and should be starting at the regionals within about a year. My mentor who got me into flying at FedEx is at top captain pay and cleared over 770k last year without even trying hard.
Because you and UPS have your pension plans, unlike the airlines. How does it feel flying from midnight till 6:00 am? And... you've never been furloughed like many airline pilots have.
Another reason why most people go the CFI route is that on top of the 1500 hours needed you also need cross country time, night time, instrument time and multi engine time. All stuff you don’t get flying skydivers or crop dusters. You theoretically could have more than 1500 hours but if you don’t meet the other hour requirements you still can’t get hired - former skydive pilot and CFI
I’m currently training to become a pilot it is very expensive and a long road with lots of studying and hard work. You definitely have to want it and be very committed to get it done.
Great informative video. Regarding compensation you forgot to mention Per Diem which is money earned for time spent away from base. At my current airline Per diem is $2.15 for every hour spent away from base. This is non taxable and it adds up very quickly. It is a nice supplement to base income
My father has been a pilot with United for 30 years...one of the best pilots out there for sure. Triple 7 Captain. He got his pilots license before he could drive and ended up being an F-14 Top Gun graduate spending a total of 12 years in the navy! He told me he lost his pension after 9/11 which is a real shame.
There was a pilot surplus up until 5-7 years ago and pay was crap. There was a time when regionals payed $15000/year for entry level FO. These things cycle every 10 years or so. This is the biggest pilot shortage we’ve seen but we also are the first and biggest impacted industry during a recession. If you haven’t been through furloughs, layoffs, or bankruptcies just wait.
Quick update on this. Regional airline pilots have gotten significant salary increases. Pilots have received some of the largest salary increases in US history over the past couple months.
I wanted to become an airline pilot when I was young but my parents said no. I ended up working for the U.S. government as a civilian employee at a military base. I made it to a upper mid level career path so I could make a 6 figure salary. It's a decent job in that it is hard to get laid off when economic times are bad such as during the recession and pandemic, but I get paid less than what the private sector equivalent would make. I did end up fulfilling the pilot dream by earning the private pilot license.
@@StrictlySports and then cry and blame capitalism when you are homeless or poor down the line? People who come from poorer countries know how important it is to have a right guidance to have a stable career and not just "follow a dream" for the sake of it. Any hobby becomes a chore the moment it becomes a profession and even worse if it cannot even feed you. There is a reason most high paying jobs are taken up by immigrants in rich countries. Of course following a dream is important, but a lot of people have idiotic or unrealistic dreams or dreams that has little to no possibility to make a living out of.
@@nareshwildbones really ask the people of Venezuela how getting rid of capitalism works they went communist and it ruined them so think before you speak
I went to the university of north Dakota. Did it all in 3.5 years. Came out with student loan debt of only $7 thousands. My first job was with Alaska Airlines. I hated that job so much that I was looking for a reason to quit. One day a passenger called me a n!gger, I loved it😂. I told management I quit. I already had a job lined up with FedEx. 2 weeks later I was flying cargo. So much better. Boxes don't talk. $14 thousand a month is good for me. I started going to pilot school when I was 32. It's really never too late, but don't take your time either. The younger you start, the better off you'll be. It's a lazy job. Do it!
@@justcommenting4981 Alaska airlines told me they'd have a job for me once I graduated. One of the hiring managers told me to call him when it was all done. I thought it was going to be a walk in the park. It wasn't. They put me through rigorous testing and endless questionnaires. Preparation is the key. Now, I'm only certified to fly 3 types of Boeing planes, which is good enough for me, although I'd like to take a shot at flying an Airbus, but that's unlikely to happen.
@@espoespo3557, Would love to talk to you outside of RUclips if possible, I have an email address. I have quiet alot of questions for you actually lol.
I've been trying to find what I've wanted to do for a career for awhile as I'm near the end of my high school career and becoming a Pilot has always been one of my top choices, especially because I love the airport and planes, but I could never really choose between that and Cyber Security. But I think this video might have helped me decide, along with all the great comments from experienced pilots! Thanks a ton!!
The best route is to get into the US Air Force or better yet, get your college degree at the Air Force Academy. You will get tons of hrs of training on how to fly while you get paid. Give 10 yrs of your life to the AF, then turn into a reservist. You will get a pension, medical benefits, and other perks fr those hrs you worked as a reservist. In the meantime, airline companies can't get enough of you and will hire you in a heartbeat. Having flown for the military, you will be considered the best in the world!
That part about most pilots doing it out of passion is understated. You need to have a passion due to the pay you are reffering to. Even with the occasional scholarship, the loans are massive, and the time commitment is even crazier.
@@overtheroadnick4233 and the entry level positions pay less. Also, many big jobs will give preferential treatment to those with a masters degree in a related feild. Those don't come cheap either.
There is a mistake regarding failing the First Class Medical... Air Traffic Controllers in the US require at least a Second Class Medical, and if you fail the First Class you are likely to fail the Second Class as well, so it's not likely to become an Air Traffic Controller for that reason... aside from the age limit on new Air Traffic Controllers, which you are likely over if you already put in the time to become a pilot for the major airlines.
Our pilots here in Kenya earn an average of $ 2,000 per month or $ 24,000 per year which is Kshs. 200,000 pm or 2.4m/yr. That is serious money here and gets them a life that is high class compared to the ordinary citizen. It's incomparable to the salaries in the industrialized world but affords them a high status life.
I wanted to be a pilot so bad. It was definitely my passion, but I didn’t do the military route and couldn’t afford to get started. Now with the life I’ve built I wouldn’t be able to give it up to make less money and have $100,000+ in debt just to do the thing I always wanted. It’s not worth it anymore
@@vespers119 No you can't....even if you do somehow manage to get a Cessna 150 for 20k you'll have to put 60K in to make it air worthy. Source: Im currently a recreational pilot.
this information is somewhat outdated although it was just posted a couple days ago. 1st year First Officers at the big regionals now start at $91/hr. With per diem, over time, and 401k, first year airline pilots can make clear into the 6 figures.
It should be noted that American Airlines regional pilots will be starting at $100+ per hour now and have a $50,000 bonus if they stay through regional to mainline. Big difference from what they were making a few years ago
I get why they're compensated so much. They hold the lives of hundreds of people in their hands and are tasked with ensuring they arrive safely while travelling 20,000 feet above the ground. They better be paid a lot because I want the best of the best competing for that captains chair when I'm on that plane.
You gotta remember that aviation is great when the economy is good but keep a war chest for when it's bad and you get furloughed or the company goes bust.. Ive been furloughed before and it wasn't fun. I wouldn't trade my job for anything else but you gotta know going into this industry isn't all sunshine and roses. I usually have 12 hour duty days and get paid at most for 7 of those hours
Don’t forget the cargo airlines. FedEx’s highest earning pilot made $1.4 million last year, and many of them earn north of $500,000. They also get both a 401k and a pension.
Yes cargo pays more but not sure how the domiciles work there. Also the flights are longer so you’re away from home for longer stretches. Also I’m sure some pilots love the people aspect of commercial… I may switch to cargo someday but going to start out commercial. We’ll see
Yeah, but studies show that living the cargo lifestyle shaves 10 years off your life compared to flying for a passenger airline. So between 500 000 to 1.4million to lose a decade of your life? Assuming you would normally pass at 95 years old You die at 85 instead so that gives you 20 years post retirement to enjoy your vast millions…. So yeah. It’s the price to pay. Your life is also backwards while you are flying cargo (back end of the clock flying) so your social life is shot for nearly your whole career. You marriage may also fall apart and if it doesn’t you spend a lot of time away from wife and kids. Remember 1000 hours maximum is the time flying. Not the time on layovers, waiting at the airport, delays (although delays can dig into duty time) that’s all time away from home away from family, kids, hobbies, etc etc…. The only thing making cargo pilot’s life easier is the lack of passengers (which reduces complexity of certain things, boxes don’t bitch” and the lack of traffic flying around at night which decreases workload. So yeah. Is that pay worth the loss of quality of life? Most people don’t think so.
@@eXebeno the stress of living on the backside of the clock for nearly your entire working life along with jet lag puts extra stress on the human body.
tbh, in my opinion, money should not be the only reason for a person to become a pilot. A true passion for aviation helps you in becoming a good pilot. Sure there are many pilot who earn a lot, but that is because they have a passion for their job and work hard for that. if i am not paid a 7 figure salary, i would be still wanting to become a pilot until i get my basic expenses and some money for a living
You need to be passionate about flying to become a commercial pilot. People who want to get into it just for the money will quickly fall by the wayside. You need to be dedicated, spend all your time and money and be completely broke and stressed out. Only passion and dedication can get you through this. And also being able to get loans..
Realest comment I've seen. 18 year old college student with private and trying to fly at least an hour a week working only 2 days a week at 15 an hour.... pure stress, gotta see it through though
I drive fuel tankers locally making $110,000 a year. I live at home with my mom. My plan is to save $100,000 cash to pay for flight school up front. I’m 25 with no kids or wife.
Just a correction: You don't *need* an ATPL to fly for an airline. A tonne of airlines offer jobs at lower hour requirements as long as you have a "frozen" ATPL which means you have sat all of the ATPL ground examinations, but haven't finished gaining 1500 hours yet. So once you tick over 1500 hours you can sit the practical examination and then get your ATPL. And also, the only thing that an ATPL effectively unlocks is to become a captain of an air transport operation. You can fly as a first officer without an ATPL but not as a captain.
I just turned 17 and I just received my category 1 medical and I’m currently completing my ground school. I was always passionate about becoming a pilot but I never noticed how much they get payed. I was only expecting 50-100k but never upwards of $500k. I guess it’s a little treat of being passionate about what you do
My brother flies for Skywest. I’m regretting becoming a pilot for sure. He just got a bunch of bonuses and a 75% pay raise. It’s very lucrative to be a pilot right now. While I don’t get any bonuses and got a $1 an hour raise this summer doing construction. If it wasn’t so expensive and could get the $$ to train, I’d go the pilot route
okay one thing id like to say about the pilot shortage, that MANY people will disagree with me on, but in reality a large contributor to the shortage is pilots leaving the industry because they were forced to get the covid vax or else theyd lose their jobs. so essentially the large amount of pilots who didnt want the vax just got fired and now airlines are like "oh shit we really screwed ourselves over"
I have a Master Degree in Engineering and I am a Private Pilote Licence holder training to become an ATPL holder. So that video is pretty on point I might say :-D
Medically disqualified pilots do not just get jobs as air traffic controllers. The air traffic control pipeline is completely different and complex to get into in its own right.
They're paid quite a bit because being a pilot is quite a skilled job, AND you're responsible for a $300M jet and it's passengers, so it's what I would call a very critical job where attention to detail is important (proably more so than the average job, where you can probably screw something up, and you may just cost the company some money, but probably not a plane full of people's lives, a multi-million dollar jet and risk a hefty lawsuit for your company, for example). It's a pretty extensive job requiring a lot of training. However, I was watching some other videos and six figure rates (and particularly those that are in the say $125k-$200k+ range) are usually for seasoned pilots, whereas entry level regional pilots may make under $100k (in one case, a pilot said that a good way to figure out one's annually salary is to take their hourly wage and add three zero's to it; so a regional pilot flying shorter flights on turbo props may only make say $75-$100k but a seasoned pilot flying transatlantic flights with decades of experience may make $300k+ in some cases, plus it depends on if they do extra flights -- which are like overtime for hourly employees). So I don't think it's as cut-and-dry as people think, but a lot of it does have to do with demand I think, and also the extensive training and attention to safety and regulations, which is why it pays so well in most cases.) But also we should keep in mind that some of these figures may include other aspects and may represent one's total compensation package (wages, insurance, retirement fund related things like 401k matching, etc, so while someone may make $300k per year, they may only take home say $250k of that).
Bruh. Dad works for UPS. IT PAYS 1.5x-2x for captain and first officer no matter aircraft type. The cargo companies make so much more money and more valuable load per flight, so pay pilots way better. Also has a traditional pension and 401k. It literally makes mid 6 figures easy, and that's without bonuses. They get paid because they are a human insurance policy for millions of dollars of cargo and aircraft, not having to ferry people who actually cost the company money. Trust me, the best pilots end up in cargo because they pay is so much better.
I went through ground school and got some private hours. I’ve worked for envoy as a cross trained employee getting paid minimum wage for 4 years now. I really like the idea of being a pilot but sitting in the cockpit of a small plane for 1500 hours is insane. I worry they will eventually lower it and realize the mistake they made when I’m to old to do it. It’s willing to bet it won’t stick. Nobody I know wants to become a pilot because of it. Cut it down to 500-750 and you have a deal. Otherwise I see it becoming much more of an issue than they estimate it will be. Keep in mind it’s only been in effect the past decade because of the q400 crash. Both those pilots had much more than 1500 hours as well. It was a rushed knee jerk decision by congress and the FAA. Crazy how pilots get paid what they do and the airlines make so much but the ground staff don’t get to see it. Love the flight benefits though.
Civilian piloting jobs are a lot easier, quicker to learn and easier perform than a lot of other high-paying professions like MDs, lawyers, certified public accountants, engineering of all types, math professionals, etc. Plus advancement is guaranteed thanks to the union seniority system. It can also be fun if you like machinery and driving.
Makes no sense. When things go wrong, and things break.. that's where the piloting skills and knowledge are crucial. If you just so happen to have no engine failure over your entire 20 or 40 year career. Then lucky you. When things go wrong, that's when the expertise of pilots like Sully and the crew of the DC8 in the 90s that had 18 feet of their left wing and one of its 4 engines ripped off their plane by clear air turbulence are perfect examples (they landed safely).
Lol what? Where did you get this from? Do you know how many doctors and lawyers kill themselves flying relatively simple planes? (It’s a lot) It’s easy for airline pilots because of the amount of training they get.
Hellooo 👨🏻✈️ … this presentation is for the most part a reasonably accurate description of our industry EXCEPT that the top salaries described are the elite group which represent a small percentage of total pilots, the majority of pilots will earn much less for most of their careers. There are NO guarantees in career advancement and there most definitely IS a bit of luck involved in any pilots career success. That having been said … good luck y’all 🤞🍀
Throw in the risk of failing exams both for the initial ratings and then recurrent exams at the airlines, which also determines how undesirable that makes you. Mishaps/mistakes can set you back in your career goals nearly a decade or even all together.
You asked if I would fly for $300K per year? I would fly for $15/hour if my basic expenses could be met. I don't care what I'm earning, it would be so cool to fly for a living. I've been considering this as a career path for a while. I have a 4 year degree in engineering but it didn't take me in the right direction. Right now I'm saving up (because of the high price) and studying up as much as I can for ground school for ppl. I love the mechanics of planes and the aerodynamics of flight. And every time I fly somewhere in a plane, I get chills from how amazing it feels to be in the air. Shortages come and go, sure. But even if a lot of pilot were to pop up somehow, skills are skills. Aviation is an industry, not just the pilot career. I could still engineer new planes or do ATC, even if I couldn't be a pilot anymore. Nothing is cooler than flight!
This was a great video! I'm always impressed by your level of detailed research to get reliable information, and then to synthesize it into a very digestible video that flows seamlessly from one topic to the next. Your team must be really on-point. Next, please make a video about Credit Suisse, its stock market price, risk of bankruptcy, and possible government bailout. I think it would get a massive number of views given on relevant it is right now and how many people are interested in the topic!
Those salaries are for senior pilots at major carriers. Most of them worked 20 years or more to get to that level. They also have to pass regular physicals. Some airlines require top vision as well. Many junior pilots are at regional carriers or charters paying off student loans with a small salary. It will also vary from country to country.
Many regionals are hiring at $90-110/hr. now. My (regional) carrier tops out at $221/hr. These are all new pay scale increases as of the last several months. There's no telling how the mainline carriers and LCCs will adjust their payscales from here but it's probably going up.
I used to want to be a pilot but now I really hate airports, glad I didn't become a pilot. My dad used to be a piston-engine pilot in many different specialties. My uncle died in a PBY Catalina in 1961.
But even if someone starts now it would be uncertain ti benefit from the shortage right? Or what’s your take. Video did state the process could be slow
Good video. I went the corporate pilot route myself and I'm very happy with it. I consistently hear complaints from airline pilots about the awful quality of life they have to endure for years before they get a good salary and a good schedule. For many, myself included it's simply not worth a personal sacrifices you have to make. Many airline pilots can't even have a social life outside of work because they're always gone.
Who lied to u. I'm an airline pilot and what ur saying is false. Every pilot had to sacrifice including u, longterm airline pilots make more than most corporate pilots. I flew corporate as well. So speak facts please thanks.
@@sircoakley8042 No one has been lying to me. I didn't say every airline pilot hated it or had bad experiences. But most of the ones I've talked to have. Yes, I know we have to make sacrifices. And it's up to the individual to see if it's worth it to them. But for me, grinding away for years as a CFI to then grind way for years in a regional, then to again be at the bottom of the seniority list when I finally get to a major, while giving away some of the best years of my life wasn't worth it. I got hired to fly PIC jets (CE500 type) single pilot at 1200hr TT, get paid a very comfortable salary, fly 2-3 days a week, and I'm sleeping at home in my bed all but 1 to 2 nights a month. Yeah, airline pilots will eventually in their carrier make more than me, but money can't buy quality of life.
Sounds like you got your news from the 90s when we made 20k at the regionals. Today regional guys step into 6 figure salaries and top most capt 135 salaries within their first few years. I’ve worked in both worlds, my wife still works 135 and I’ve moved on to a legacy and there is something to be said for having a union and contract that sets the bar higher than the regs. Having set contractual days off and contactable periods while on reserve, contractual limits on reassignments, pay protrction for cancellations etc. Part 135 your at the mercy of your employer and what kind of day your management is having and regs that were designed for the bottom limit of safety. Not to mention how much more stable the airlines are than from bouncing around between 135 operators your entire career. Lots of guys I fly with don’t even log flight time anymore let alone have a current resume. I rarely run into 121 guys even at the regionals that are unhappy and I haven’t flown with a guy looking to make the jump to 135 in years.
@@mattmatt516That's why the key with the airlines is to pick the company that allows u to live in base aka quality of life. Things are moving so fast where I am that guys are barely sitting 2 months on reserve before holding a line. Your job sounds great but the reality is u only have a job as long as the company keeps the jet and I have seen many go bottoms up leaving corporate guys to start over years into their career. So there are pros and cons to both. If you have a family well it's hard to argue that the airlines give better benefits, if you like free travel...that too. U are 1 of the few tbst got lucky with 1200tt to be a jet pic and still have a job today but u can't compare that to the majority.
I've been flying my whole life and this vid explains why i dropped outta collage for the flight path. Not to mention this is only in reference to commercial avation, corporate is even more wild
A small correction to your overtime assessment. It is true that there is the 100 hour per month limit, however there is also a maximum of 1,000 hours per year. Therefore flying your standard 75 hours per month already puts you at 900 hours for the year. If they were to fly 100 hours per month every month, that would put the yearly total at 1,200 hours, which is 200 above the limit. So if you average it out, an airline pilot can only take 8.3 hours of overtime every month, NOT 25 hours.
It’s all about credit/pay hours, not flight hours. At my airline, I’ve had months where I flew 85 hours and got paid for 200. So, to say you can only get 8.5 hours of overtime is not necessarily correct. At my airline, you get paid the highest of 5 buckets, and generally your hard flight hours is not the highest bucket.
United Aviate is helping break that barrier to entry. Aviate is a United Airlines property and its goal is to train 5000 pilots for their airline in 10 years. They are also the only training system with a guaranteed position if you stay in their system. Other training places only guarantee an interview and maybe nothing afterwards. The training lasts 1 year for EVERYTHING maybe a hit more depending on the student. Private through Commercial with all the Instructor ratings.
In the EU and other places, there are ab initio pilot academies associated with various airlines. Students go from zero time to about 300 hours as a junior First Officers into an airliner. Training is more specific to airline environments and procedures including small jet training ending in an A320 type rating (license to fly A320 - same as required for captains) or similar depending on the airline going to work at. Before Covid it cost about EU$100k and took 18 months to 2 years of ground school and flying. Hiring airlines will often finance the training through payroll deductions.
I’m from Germany and tried to get into an airline ATPL-Training(Lufthansa - European Flight academy). It’s almost impossible to get In because almost 5% get in. The other option would be private flight schools but I don’t have 110K € for the training and the European Flight Academy has become even more selective since they closed down during COVID. I eventually ended up studying economics. I’m totally fine but it wasn’t my dream to study. But as they say life chooses you.
Its been like this for a while. Best time to fly in recent years is now, or few years pre pandemic. What is even crazier is pilots used to make more. In the 50s/60s pilots made as much as doctors and where treated as celebrities.
It isn’t hours or years of experience that gets you an upgrade to captain, it’s seniority. That’s probably the biggest negative with being an airline pilot. The trajectory of your career is entirely in the hands of the executives at the airline. If you have the misfortune of working for a company that shrinks or goes out of business you’ll be starting from square one at another airline. Some guys get extremely lucky with timing, born at the right time and get hired at the beginning of a hiring wave. Choosing a company that is successful and grows rapidly. This is not something the pilot has any control over. Some guys just seem to bounce from one bankruptcy to another always stuck at the bottom of a seniority list at the lower end of the payscale. Just bad luck.
The chances of becoming a airline pilot in the legacy and major cargo airlines and making half a million dollars a year is slim and very difficult. Even if you do become a legacy captains and make 500k a year your career can end at any time by the faa.
Honestly man, as long as you don't have skeletons in the closet and you put in your dues (not hard to do anymore given regional FOs are now making $100K+), you have a great shot at a major carrier pretty quickly. Plenty of pilots I know that are jumping to LCC's within 1-2 years and many getting picked up at the legacies with
I'm currently a 1500 ATP, working at a charter company, I had to take out about 130k in loans for training, its about 1500 a month. It'll pay off eventually, but I'm not quite there yet
A few things to note: If you lose your medical, you can’t just be an ATC. They have similar medical requirements. But you can be an instructor for the company, which is the same or more compensation Not everyone at the regionals can move onto the majors. But the pay at my company has doubled in the last month so it’s now about what a major starts at (the scales obv don’t go as high, only into the low $200s. We don’t have anywhere near the DC/retirement benefits they do though. The barrier to entry is the reason we are so well compensated and should not be lowered.
+ not to also mention being a pilot isn't something anyone can do. There's lots of knowledge and physical prowess required to be a good pilot. Also when flying for airliners you have over hundreds of people's lives in your hands when you taxi to that active runway. It isn't something most of the public would be able to handle and as such why we would be compensated for a job well done.
Most people probably could be a pilot. Would you trust them with your life though? Keep these barriers up and keep making it harder while tax payers cover those nice ATC fees for you. When AI and robots finally take over, only those losing the top paid flying jobs will care. Those who do it for fun won't.
Honestly, the high pay makes sense. Hundreds of lives are at the hands of the pilots. Surgeons get pay a sh*t ton of money as well because it takes many years of education, stress, hard work, and student loans to get to where they are.
So do bus drivers and train capts yet they get paid peanuts. Determining high pay depends on the complexity and ease of automation, airplanes are already able to completely be automated.
@@mohammadalhussain7919 yeah but when there’s an emergency, such as the airplane losing an engine, that automation is either useless or could easily put the plane out of control and that’s when you’ll want well trained pilots that have the skills to get that 80+ ton metal bird on the ground safely with every soul on board walking away from it alive. Also even though planes are almost fully automated, there’s still certain phases of the flight in which pilots will hand fly, such as when landing in VFR conditions because many pilots aren’t a fan of how hard autopilot’s approach mode lands the plane, and I don’t think many passengers would be, either
@@ed5649 you could have one pilot controlling a thousand flights remotely. How often will an emergency happen? Near never.. on the last part, its convenience and preference since there are 2 already. Doesn't mean a computer won't run it, in fact human error will completely be muted.
@@mohammadalhussain7919 you have no idea what you are talking about Planes aren’t fully automated for one. The autopilot is just cruise control for the plane. Either way, if you don’t know what you are doing you are crashing the plane. Did you know that there are certain parts of the flight where using the autopilot to fly is more workload than flying manually? It’s not just autopilot on then “sit back relax and enjoy the flight” That’s an annoying myth that’s been around since the Tesla autopilot came out. Second thing you are wrong about emergencies happen ALL THE TIME medical emergencies, engine failures, flap failures, hydraulic failures, landing gear failures, sick passengers, weather diversions, runaway trims, popped tires on takeoff and landing, smoke in the cabin, smoke in the cockpit, I could go on… these happen all the time and pilots resolve the problem and get the plane down safely, there is a RUclips channel dedicated to the radio conversations going on during these flights and they are constantly uploading. You are very wrong about just about everything you said there except for the fact that bus drivers and ship captains should be paid more.
@@nikobelic4251 look at all flight incidents and crashes, you'll figure its mostly a human inflicted error. Second, I am not saying a human is not needed, I am explicitly referring to the needlessness of physical presence. On ground pilot managing 10 flights for the unforseen factors you've mentioned. His pay would equate to 90% reduction to the status quo.
The answer is simple. They are paid so much because 1. The barrier to entry is so high. The cheapest way to get all licenses and rating needed is a little over 70k. But you should also have a degree which is also expensive asf 2. Years of low pay. In order to get to the highest paying positions like displayed in the thumbnail you spend years as a low payed CFI or other job. Once you finally get your 1500hr ATP you spend more time with a shitty schedule and low pay at regionals. After years of work you may be able to make it to the big guys, but even then your schedule absolutely sucks until you can build seniority in the company. 3. High stress job. Being a pilot is one of the most stressful jobs (not just bs-ing, there was a study done a few years ago). The pilots are responsible for every passenger and crew member on board. Being a pilot is not just pressing auto pilot and chilling out, not at all. You have recurrently training yearly and the wealth of knowledge you must have is pretty insane. Not many other industries are like this.
I'm one who didn't bite and have some regrets about it years later. I went to college on an ROTC scholarship and graduated college as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. I went on to Officers' Basic and then Army IERW flight school at Ft. Rucker, AL in the late 1980s. Post-service, I then went to work for Fed Ex in operations. At this point, I had maybe 600 hours, and a commercial-instrument ticket. Then I went to school to get an MBA instead of pouring on the effort to get prepared to be picked up but the regionals. It was the early 1990s, and I knew guys, even at the majors, who were regularly getting furloughed. I went the Business/IT route. By the late 1990s, when I had the hours and could have gotten a multi and ATP and gone to the Regionals making maybe $25k a year back then, I was making well over $100k. Looking forward a decade from the late 1990s to the late 2000s, there was no way I was going to give up $1.5 - $2 million in earnings to make $250k - $400k flying the regionals. Of course, today in 2022, I'd be that guy making $400k a year with a whopping fat 401k, instead of someone still busting my ass to make maybe $200k a year, if that. But aviation in the 1990s and also the early 2000s post 9/11 was a high-risk choice comparatively speaking, and I didn't come from enough money to take a risk like that. The only problem with the video is it is looking at one moment in time, when all the boomers all retired at once.
Ya same here. I always dreamed of being a pilot and still think about it all the time. But I'm 38 and I guess it's too late. I grew up in the 90s and I remember constantly hearing about layoffs and bankruptcies at airlines around the world. So it never felt like it would be a stable or lucrative career. We couldn't foresee the massive growth in the airline industry we see today. Or the pilot shortage
They’re paid so much because it’s a hard job with hundreds of lives at stake. No, a degree is not needed. Expense for training is $100k and it will be 2 years min before you ever see a jet.
good explainarion, however pay is actually pretty bad in the aviation industry outside of those flying airliner jets. flight instructors, etc generally don't get paid well at all :/ not to mention the mental health stigma that exists as a result of the FAAs stance on mental health treatment.
@@LogicallyAnswered That's what everyone wants to do, but most people start instructing at 250hrs and require at least 1500hrs for the airlines. Biiiiig hurdle to get over and will take lots of time or cost lots of money. Other pilot jobs like geosurvey, pipeline patrol, even regional cargo don't pay great either unfortunately. This is mainly a US problem though I believe.
@@LogicallyAnswered That depends. It's nearly impossible to have a family while being an airline pilot, for example. And the big number salaries you see are for pilots with decades of experience towards the end of their career. Junior pilots get lower pay and poor route selection. Worth it for some, sure. But there's a reason that the pilot shortage is getting worse, not better. You don't get to live a normal life. And the medical requirements are stringent (for good reason, mind you, but it also means your career can be effectively ended at any time by the FAA) Money aint everything. And even then you'll be lucky to make the equivalent of minimum wage early in your career, as many airlines only pay for number of flight hours and pilots spend a fair bit of time on the ground.
Very accurate. Only thing I'll add is that airlines, especially regional airlines don't ask you to take overtime. They force you to take overtime. This is a major reason why I left and will likely never return to the airlines. I was working 6 days a week with 1 night at home for around 2 or 3 months until I had a passenger steal my aviation headset ($1,000) on a deadhead. That was the last straw, I left and never looked back. Best decision of my life.
Currently in pilot training for the Air Force, and honestly was never that interested in joining the airlines, but this video is making me reconsider a bit. Then again, we'll have to see what the situation is 10 years from now lol
lol...if you non military, expect under 80k per year to start and plan 80k per year even when you retire...this video is a joke...airlines promote military, out of pocket non-military captains should take a hike...no really, take a hike
Airlines in boom times are a lot different in bust times. There are plenty of former airline workers getting their pensions via the US govt pension guarantee agency that takes over failed pensions limited to about $30k a year payouts.
As you stated in the video, tech requires SO much less experience. The starting salary packages at FAANG companies are around $200,000, or ~$100,000 at non-FAANG bay area salaries. With 10-20 years experience it be a million+ as a tech worker, so being a pilot is about the passion of the job.
Exactly.. I graduated with a Bachelor's two years ago and started working in big tech, starting compensation $200K and now at $250K. I have a huge passion for aviation but ended up just buying a plane and training recreationally. I can WFH as much as I want, never have to be on the road. Sometimes I wish I became a pilot, but I think this is just better.
@@airops423 Here is the thing - You don't get to fly a jet, you don't get to wear that pilot uniform, you don't get paid to do what you love, you don't get to experience the entire world as part of your job. You only get to be a wannabe who has to pay a lot to fly a small piston plane. Many would gladly take the initial pay cut in exchange for the piloting life style. Maybe you should re-consider.
@@aerohk When it comes down to it, I think there are a couple of things that really appeal to me about general aviation in particular: 1- the freedom of being able to fly wherever I want with whoever I want on my own schedule 2- the challenge of operating a flying machine These two elements just don't really exist in the airlines (and for me, there is zero appeal in wearing a particular uniform or anything like that). You could argue #2 does, but not really because you're more or less just pressing buttons on a computer that operates the plane. Much less challenging and, quite frankly, gets boring imo. Not to mention the always on the road, living out of a suitcase lifestyle. I think search and rescue or something could be a lot more fun, but the pay is just not there. The airlines can be a great career for a lot of people to be sure and I did consider it, but I just don't think it's for me. The final thing is the opportunity cost-- giving up a career in tech is just really hard to do. I get to work from anywhere on a flexible schedule with excellent work life balance making $250K now and $400K+ a couple years from now with unmatched benefits in a field that is fairly intellectually stimulating and can have a large impact on the world. If I were stuck somewhere else, maybe the airlines would be more appealing.
You may still be able to become a pilot depending on the severity of the color blindness. In the USA, there is a special testing process you can go through to obtain your 1st class medical, which is the medical license required for the airlines.
A thing to keep in mind is that this is all subject to change if FAA changes requirements as Autopilots improve. Autopilots today are already capable of flying pretty much the entire journey, but it is still required that long haul flights need 2-3 pilots. Say they change that tomorrow to just 1 or 2, and 50% of the jobs for the lucrative long haul flights disappear in an instant. It probably won’t happen tomorrow, but I think this is where the industry is headed.
Auto-pilot only flies the route if the motors and servos controlling those control surfaces don't overheat and have the Planes computer turn-off the autopilot (to prevent a fire). It doesn't happen often but I've had multiple flights in my jet kick off my auto-pilot due to excessive turbulence. And I only have 2000 hours. Not to mention the first time there is an accident with loss of life, especially an innocent family on the ground. That whole "automated" dream will evaporate. Let's not forget... part of the reason for having a 2nd person (2 person integrity) in there is to make sure the other person (who would be alone on the flight deck as you suggest) stays honest and doesn't do anything they should not be doing.
Autopilot only does what the pilots tell it to do. Also the aircraft would need to be certified for EMCO (extended minimum crew operations) right now only Airbus is working on a plane that could possibly be certified for this by 2025 and it may only he for cargo at first. The timeline for EMCO (and eventually single pilot operations) is really long and all older aircraft will still fly with upgraded crews. And if you are senior enough to fly those routes they aren’t going to just fire you, they’ll put you on another route. When single pilot operations eventually happens (which will probably be in a long time based on current technological advancements and regulatory advances, forget public acceptance….) but pilots will just upgrade to those aircraft slowly as older two pilot aircraft retire. They aren’t going to lose their jobs. And as the airlines keep growing there will still be a need for new pilots coming in as more planes are added to the fleets. Air taxis will eventually be pilotless according to manufacturers and some corporate jets as well but for passenger airlines this isn’t the plan. The process is slow and even people working on those technologies aren’t putting a date as to when we get there. It’s something to consider but jot something to be alarmed about.
Don't listen to these comments. They're all in denial. Passenger drones like Nexus Bell and others are in the rise. Soon we'll see smaller aircraft and AI similar to Tesla FSD ready to fly average people around. These ATPs will be out of a job.
It's all about timing. It's great time for young pilots at regional now. Legacies and Majors are literally hiring anybody from regional now. I wish this could happen 10 years ago.
Please make a video about PepsiCo, it owns a lot of South African food and beverage companies. I'm interested in knowing how it's allowed to have so many accusations
@@TheBooban I don't have a problem with their presence. I'm just curious to how their acquisitions get approved when they're already a Global leader in convenient foods and beverages. (They own Simba, Bokomo, Sasko and Pioneer Foods in SA)
Sometimes I wish I became a pilot instead of working in tech, but then I remind myself how boring it is and how you always have to be traveling. The reason I enjoy flying (recreationally) is because of (1) the freedom of being able to go wherever you want with whoever you want whenever you want, and (2) the constant challenge of operating a machine that flies. Both of these things things don't exist in commercial aviation at the airlines.
...After a decade of being owned by Uncle Sam with NO guarantee of getting a slot as a pilot, let alone obtaining the hours you need for an unrestricted ATP. Seniority's also something to consider. In HALF that time you could go from 0 hours to the right seat at a legacy... 5 years of seniority is pretty significant. Pay is also a consideration - military doesn't pay shit, new standard for regional pay is $100K+ first year. Also, I don't really love increasing my risk of getting shot down by whoever we decide to piss off next in the armpit of the world... I'll stick to working 14 days a month flying RJ's :)
@@adamp9348 I used to live next to an F15 pilot and he was in the air all the time. It may not pay well, but the military does pay for your flight school and flight time, and you get to demonstrate that you're a true patriot, not just a flag waver.
Honestly? One of the more accurate videos on the subject I’ve seen. Still some inaccuracies, but minor in the grand scheme of things. If you’re interested in becoming a pilot, or simply how things work as a pilot…. This video is a pretty good baseline.
Another option is upgrading America rails to high quality high speed rail with more routes. Surely it’s easier to learn how to operate a train then a airplane. Use the few pilots that want to still fly to fly out the country 🤷🏾♂️
Actually, not a terrible video as far as the facts go. A lot of attention is given to the higher rates the wide body CA’s are paid, but the hustle culture newer carriers like SW and JB will give you even more opportunities to make money.
I transitioned from a partially paid LOA during COVID to an unpaid one due to my own business growing, and health concerns my wife is battling. Not sure I’m going back, but if I were flying now, with the seniority I have, I could literally book a line that all paid double. I’ve always been able to structure 3 months every year where I only fly a few days. It accommodates the times the farm needs me 24/7. On the 3rd month, I flew and collected vacation pay.
Another thing is my airline pays on a basis called “trip for pay.” It basically means you get paid about 115% of the actual time you fly. This is how you get guys like me who have been over $500k for years, and with the pilot shortage, this year some will hit $750k at my airline, maybe $800k.
One thing you have to remember, the hustle culture airlines work you (safely) a lot more. We turn our planes quick, and our overnights aren’t mini getaways. Often, when subtracting the tide 2 and from the airport, doing the 3 S’s, you can sleep 7-8 hrs. If it was a longer over night, 1w hrs or so, I did office work I’d normally have to do at the farm.
The good thing about that, is you can make that money working 12 days per month on the months you fly a full line. It’s a great career. But I always told all my girlfriends I was a baggage handler to avoid the gold diggers, and when I met my wife and things became serious, I explained to her that she would be living the life of a baggage handler and dirt farmers wife. She actually loved that about me. Together we built a great farming enterprise
Have a side gig, something you and your spouse can work as a team. Investments, real estate,insurance.
As far as the big investment in training, latch on to a salty pilot who is a CFI, but doesn’t train many students. In my case, it was my dad, but what gets you your credentials is passing the written and the rides. It doesn’t matter if Donald Duck trained you. That signature from the FAA is the same either way. I built the rest of my experience in the military. Active duty, then the reserves. I let the govt pay for my college as an enlisted reservist as well, along with free state school tuition in my state. So college was a net profit for me.
Hope this is helpful.
Wow, thanks for all the insight Tom!
CAs*
this was super interesting thanks for writing all of it!
wow this was very interesting. As a student pilot currently you're story has given great insight!
Godamn. I’ve always met people like you irl. Thank you. So much knowledge dropped
I'm an airline pilot who went the civilian route. I borrowed $90k and worked close to 80 hours a week as a CFI in order to get my 1500 hours in order to apply to get a job, which I didn't get until 1600 hours. It took me 4 years start to regional airline. I'm currently living as modestly as I can because my loans take $1,000 a month off the top. With the industry all about seniority, the new pilots are paid peanuts while the most experienced rake in the dough. Seniority doesn't make a safe pilot, but there are few objective standards that make safe pilots. Until that seniority standard changes and training costs are lowered you won't see a decrease in pilot salaries. Plus it is a highly technical career with catastrophic consequences for mistakes, so the high pay makes sense to me.
Can’t work 80hrs a week as a CFI…..limited to 8hrs per day….🤔🤔
@@lilfuzzy5908 8 hours flying. Doesn’t include ground training and curriculum
@@blakenorris5963 he said “to get to his 1500 hours” ground training and curriculum doesn’t count towards the 1500…..it would be wasted time…
@@lilfuzzy5908 training and curriculum and it also includes paper and office work at the flight school.
General Rendar, I am a 17 year old high school senior who will begin flight training next year at a university. Do you have any advice for student pilots?
I'm a pilot, and a dad. Let me tell you how I deal with the whole gone from home a lot thing. It is a different lifestyle. But follow the lifestyle of doctors who make similar, and often way less money, and you'll quickly see. At Southwest, you have on average 15 days off STARTING on reserve. Going worst case, which is commuting (in my case). I commute to work (meaning I have to catch a space available ride on any airline to get to work) because I love where I live and it is close to family for my young kids. This certainly adds time. I typically leave by 2pm the day before, but I often (not always) get home around 4pm my last day. So let's just say that the average day of reserve I work is 24 hours away from home, plus 2 hours (leaving at 2, getting back at 4). Let's look at September. I worked three 4-day reserve trips and one 3-day. I did this math several times to be sure, so here we go. 24 hours x 30 days in Sept means 720 hours. Based on my timing, that puts me at being home 352 total hours. My wife was home 530 hours. OK... yikes. Or is it? The way I see it, eight hours a day (ideally), you sleep, or are committed to it. Let's omit that, because you can sleep anywhere. Now we're at 290 hours at home for my wife vs 224 for me as a brand new First Officer on reserve. You would have to have 19 days off to really match, which isn't extremely likely, but if you are willing to or able to move so you do not commute, and once you're not among the most junior pilots, there's no contest. I have a short commute, and it would still buy me back 40-50 hours/month at home.
But even with that 290/224 (waking home hours) split between my wife and me, you have to consider something else. In my wife's 190 gone hours, she is wholly committed to being at work. That's 8.6666 hours/day between working and driving. Then she has to get groceries, diapers, feed herself and the kids, maybe find time to exercise. Then hope the kids get to bed on time so she can have the precious hour or two to herself. Meanwhile, even if I work a 12 hour day, all I have to worry about is finding food and getting enough sleep. I often work less than that in a day so I do get time to do what I want. Wander around town, work out, play video games, go to a movie. As long as you can show up for work properly rested, it is your time. Obviously, it sounds like wife is getting the short end of the stick here. But let's imagine we were both working 40 hour (or more) work weeks (as is the case with so many families). Would our kids be better off? When I am home, there are no reports or phone calls to make (usually). I walk off the plane and it stays behind me until I come back. I am effectively a highly paid stay at home dad for half the month. I don't always do as much as I could, but I generally try to tackle most of the large chores in addition to maintenance while taking the kids to the park, or the museum, or wherever the hell else I want to take them because I have all day. Sometimes I am home seven days in a row because that's how my schedule turned out. Nobody else gets to do that unless they have vacation or catch covid. It's the best, and highest paid part time job there is.
The most over analyzed and type A comment here. Did you mention you were a pilot? Oh wait. First three words. But it’s true….I too am a pilot. I live in base so I win. 😏
@@yohonomoe5095 Considering most airlines have bases in crap cities that I wouldn't consider moving to, sure. I figured saying "I am a pilot" instead of "as a pilot" was slightly less douchey. And lastly, I hadn't originally thought of this, but it came up recently in the cockpit when my captain was talking about how his wife was bitching to him that he was gone too much and he figured out for her that he was home more than her (as a non commuter). So I did my own math to see. Plus, the dollar amount for how much I'm gone compared to most hourly workers (especially college educated) is just embarrassing.
As a new CFI aspiring to go to the regionals thanks for this information! another barrier to this industry from my experience is a information barrier unless you are directly connected to a pilot a lot of this first hand experience isn't easy to get.
You guys are right. Pilots are cocky and make too much compared to others. They need to start paying those ATC fees and prohibit passing the cost onto non passengers.
This was an awesome comment thanks for all the detail. I'm heading to a 2 week accelerated flight school to finish up my CFI and CFII in November. Hopefully I'll get to the airlines in the next few years and ride the pilot shortage wave up to the top of the pay scale before I hit 65 years old 😅. Currently 31.
One of my friends got a really good deal, he became a captain at All Nippon Airways with 122,000$ in training, and his salary is around 87,000$ a year, (B737 Pilot), and got hired 2 years back, due to a massive shortage, he got promoted to Captain in just 9 months, and only 2 years later, he is a 787 Captain with a salary of 250,000$ a year from overtime ,so in just 6-7 years after graduating, my friend is a Boeing 787-8/9/10 captain, making 250,000$ a year.
Wow.
There are lots of stories like that. You have to learn the local language and culture and live overseas away from family. But you can advance quickly. Many stories like that in growth airlines like Qatar Airways or Emirates. In some middle east countries there are laws stating the airlines have to pay pilots a minimum salary.
That'd be illegal under FAA or EASA.
@@scottbrandon6244Qatar and Emirates don’t hire unless you are a captain ,,
Wait so the school gave him the money? Or did it cost $122k?
My neighbor is a pilot he flew fighter jets and then became a flight instructor and then regional airline then Emirates, and now he's at Delta pulling half a million+ retiring in the next few years!
That’s awesome man! So glad to hear things worked out for him!
I have something good for you. 👆Write me on the number above.
How much do delta pilot gets paid, like I want to know the real cost since I’m doing mg flight training
@@Pilot_Kushh Here you go: Pilot pay at Delta Air Lines ranges from $64,000 per year for a new first officer up to $257,000 per year for a senior captain.
Great hats Of To Him.
70% of my flights were operated by carrier airlines whose pilots don’t get paid nearly as much.
I have something good for you. 👆Write me on the number above.
Not true anymore. The shortage is so bad at the regionals they are now being paid close to mainline wages. 250-300k.
@@mr.average2115 no they aren’t
@@judetounsi773they are now it seems like
Dad is a pilot, also have to remember that to become a FO or captain requires years and years to get into the big companies. Hence why many are seasoned Air Force or have spent a decade at regional airlines. That being said I’m a nurse and certainly wish we were paid more for what we do.
It’s quite rewarding for those who see it through though
@@LogicallyAnswered absolutely, also keep up the great videos!
let be honest, there alot of reason pilot pay more or even oil rig worker payed more than you guys.
@@carval51 hmm not sure I follow the oil worker, unfortunately nurses in my area start in the high forties.
Well the reason pilots are paid so well is because if they wanted to they could kill 400+ people at the same time including themselves and destroy an airline's reputation.
Really good video my friend, lots of correct information the major media outlets overlook or misinterpret. I currently have got 600 hours and should be starting at the regionals within about a year. My mentor who got me into flying at FedEx is at top captain pay and cleared over 770k last year without even trying hard.
Good luck man!
Goddamn 770k lmao
Ho-Lee Fuk
He doesn't even have to fly unruly humans around! Just inanimate objects that hopefully don't catch on fire midflight.
Because you and UPS have your pension plans, unlike the airlines. How does it feel flying from midnight till 6:00 am? And... you've never been furloughed like many airline pilots have.
Another reason why most people go the CFI route is that on top of the 1500 hours needed you also need cross country time, night time, instrument time and multi engine time. All stuff you don’t get flying skydivers or crop dusters.
You theoretically could have more than 1500 hours but if you don’t meet the other hour requirements you still can’t get hired
- former skydive pilot and CFI
I’m currently training to become a pilot it is very expensive and a long road with lots of studying and hard work. You definitely have to want it and be very committed to get it done.
First learn how to write sentences.
@@BeatlesTranscriber yesss lemme use perfect grammar in a RUclips comment section just to please you Jeff
@@xspritegodx 😂😂😂😂😂😂 cooked him
@@xspritegodx Own him🤣🤣
The people getting paid “720k” are those old dudes flying American 777s to Doha and shit😂
Yeah and they barely passed their last medical and are a few years from retirement anyways
Great informative video. Regarding compensation you forgot to mention Per Diem which is money earned for time spent away from base. At my current airline Per diem is $2.15 for every hour spent away from base. This is non taxable and it adds up very quickly. It is a nice supplement to base income
Ah very true!
My father has been a pilot with United for 30 years...one of the best pilots out there for sure. Triple 7 Captain. He got his pilots license before he could drive and ended up being an F-14 Top Gun graduate spending a total of 12 years in the navy! He told me he lost his pension after 9/11 which is a real shame.
9/11 removes people's pension? Why?
@@GhostZodick He was the one flying the planes....
@@Johhnyp10 😂😂😂
Tell jarhead dad to buy bitcoin
Why didn't your dad's pension convert to the Fed's PBGC? The pilots union just said "Sure, you can take our pensions away."?
There was a pilot surplus up until 5-7 years ago and pay was crap. There was a time when regionals payed $15000/year for entry level FO. These things cycle every 10 years or so. This is the biggest pilot shortage we’ve seen but we also are the first and biggest impacted industry during a recession. If you haven’t been through furloughs, layoffs, or bankruptcies just wait.
Quick update on this. Regional airline pilots have gotten significant salary increases. Pilots have received some of the largest salary increases in US history over the past couple months.
Because they’re trusted with peoples lives and do a good job with it.
Facts
Then nurses should be getting paid more.
They’re also trusted to pilot planes worth hundreds of millions
@@LogicallyAnswered you forgot to mention unmanned vehicles will sub for pilots
@@obstinateundead3931 what state do you live in ?
I wanted to become an airline pilot when I was young but my parents said no. I ended up working for the U.S. government as a civilian employee at a military base. I made it to a upper mid level career path so I could make a 6 figure salary. It's a decent job in that it is hard to get laid off when economic times are bad such as during the recession and pandemic, but I get paid less than what the private sector equivalent would make. I did end up fulfilling the pilot dream by earning the private pilot license.
Said no it’s your life
Oh...ok.... thanks?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
@@StrictlySports and then cry and blame capitalism when you are homeless or poor down the line? People who come from poorer countries know how important it is to have a right guidance to have a stable career and not just "follow a dream" for the sake of it. Any hobby becomes a chore the moment it becomes a profession and even worse if it cannot even feed you. There is a reason most high paying jobs are taken up by immigrants in rich countries. Of course following a dream is important, but a lot of people have idiotic or unrealistic dreams or dreams that has little to no possibility to make a living out of.
@@nareshwildbones really ask the people of Venezuela how getting rid of capitalism works they went communist and it ruined them so think before you speak
@@StrictlySports how is what you are saying different from what I am saying?🤷🏽🤦🏽
I went to the university of north Dakota. Did it all in 3.5 years. Came out with student loan debt of only $7 thousands. My first job was with Alaska Airlines. I hated that job so much that I was looking for a reason to quit. One day a passenger called me a n!gger, I loved it😂. I told management I quit. I already had a job lined up with FedEx. 2 weeks later I was flying cargo. So much better. Boxes don't talk. $14 thousand a month is good for me. I started going to pilot school when I was 32. It's really never too late, but don't take your time either. The younger you start, the better off you'll be. It's a lazy job. Do it!
Did you start at Horizon? How did you go straight to Alaska? Also good for you.
@@justcommenting4981 Alaska airlines told me they'd have a job for me once I graduated. One of the hiring managers told me to call him when it was all done. I thought it was going to be a walk in the park. It wasn't. They put me through rigorous testing and endless questionnaires. Preparation is the key. Now, I'm only certified to fly 3 types of Boeing planes, which is good enough for me, although I'd like to take a shot at flying an Airbus, but that's unlikely to happen.
@@espoespo3557, Would love to talk to you outside of RUclips if possible, I have an email address. I have quiet alot of questions for you actually lol.
I've been trying to find what I've wanted to do for a career for awhile as I'm near the end of my high school career and becoming a Pilot has always been one of my top choices, especially because I love the airport and planes, but I could never really choose between that and Cyber Security. But I think this video might have helped me decide, along with all the great comments from experienced pilots! Thanks a ton!!
The best route is to get into the US Air Force or better yet, get your college degree at the Air Force Academy. You will get tons of hrs of training on how to fly while you get paid. Give 10 yrs of your life to the AF, then turn into a reservist. You will get a pension, medical benefits, and other perks fr those hrs you worked as a reservist. In the meantime, airline companies can't get enough of you and will hire you in a heartbeat. Having flown for the military, you will be considered the best in the world!
@@Ckawauchi35 solid advice 👍
That was my original plan but I have a food allergy and they won’t take me. 😢😢😢
@@The_Expired_Squirrel the military or just being a pilot?
@@Jack-id4qm The military. Its to the point I’m ineligible for the draft if they have one.
As a pilot, actually well researched. Just remember, people don’t reach the end of the scale until the end of their career
That part about most pilots doing it out of passion is understated. You need to have a passion due to the pay you are reffering to. Even with the occasional scholarship, the loans are massive, and the time commitment is even crazier.
It’s cheaper than medical school or law school.
@@overtheroadnick4233 and the entry level positions pay less. Also, many big jobs will give preferential treatment to those with a masters degree in a related feild. Those don't come cheap either.
There is a mistake regarding failing the First Class Medical... Air Traffic Controllers in the US require at least a Second Class Medical, and if you fail the First Class you are likely to fail the Second Class as well, so it's not likely to become an Air Traffic Controller for that reason... aside from the age limit on new Air Traffic Controllers, which you are likely over if you already put in the time to become a pilot for the major airlines.
Ah, thanks for pointing out that nuance Brian
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Currently working towards that 1500 hours! Convenient regional pay has nearly doubled this year.
Our pilots here in Kenya earn an average of $ 2,000 per month or $ 24,000 per year which is Kshs. 200,000 pm or 2.4m/yr. That is serious money here and gets them a life that is high class compared to the ordinary citizen. It's incomparable to the salaries in the industrialized world but affords them a high status life.
I wanted to be a pilot so bad. It was definitely my passion, but I didn’t do the military route and couldn’t afford to get started. Now with the life I’ve built I wouldn’t be able to give it up to make less money and have $100,000+ in debt just to do the thing I always wanted. It’s not worth it anymore
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Thankfully we have decent flight simulators now, so you can still experience the fun parts of the job.
Become a recreational pilot. You can get a plane for like 20k.
@@vespers119 No you can't....even if you do somehow manage to get a Cessna 150 for 20k you'll have to put 60K in to make it air worthy.
Source: Im currently a recreational pilot.
this information is somewhat outdated although it was just posted a couple days ago. 1st year First Officers at the big regionals now start at $91/hr. With per diem, over time, and 401k, first year airline pilots can make clear into the 6 figures.
I like pilots being paid a lot, just like I would like doctors and other emergency personnel paid a lot...
My life is in their hands!
Facts
^^ Many lives on the plane and below on the ground at stake.
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Doctors get paid generously. Paramedics get shit on.
Yes the pilots should get paid like NBA players to be honest🥱😤
Two people you want to have zero worries in life are your pilot and your surgeon.
It should be noted that American Airlines regional pilots will be starting at $100+ per hour now and have a $50,000 bonus if they stay through regional to mainline.
Big difference from what they were making a few years ago
AA regionals start at $90/hr at 75 hours per month. Not quite $100+ but yeah
@@zimmerman630 MESA is $100 per hour for first officers. First-year captains $150.
I get why they're compensated so much. They hold the lives of hundreds of people in their hands and are tasked with ensuring they arrive safely while travelling 20,000 feet above the ground. They better be paid a lot because I want the best of the best competing for that captains chair when I'm on that plane.
You gotta remember that aviation is great when the economy is good but keep a war chest for when it's bad and you get furloughed or the company goes bust.. Ive been furloughed before and it wasn't fun. I wouldn't trade my job for anything else but you gotta know going into this industry isn't all sunshine and roses. I usually have 12 hour duty days and get paid at most for 7 of those hours
Don’t forget the cargo airlines. FedEx’s highest earning pilot made $1.4 million last year, and many of them earn north of $500,000. They also get both a 401k and a pension.
Yes cargo pays more but not sure how the domiciles work there. Also the flights are longer so you’re away from home for longer stretches. Also I’m sure some pilots love the people aspect of commercial…
I may switch to cargo someday but going to start out commercial. We’ll see
Yeah, but studies show that living the cargo lifestyle shaves 10 years off your life compared to flying for a passenger airline.
So between 500 000 to 1.4million to lose a decade of your life?
Assuming you would normally pass at 95 years old
You die at 85 instead so that gives you 20 years post retirement to enjoy your vast millions….
So yeah.
It’s the price to pay. Your life is also backwards while you are flying cargo (back end of the clock flying) so your social life is shot for nearly your whole career. You marriage may also fall apart and if it doesn’t you spend a lot of time away from wife and kids. Remember 1000 hours maximum is the time flying.
Not the time on layovers, waiting at the airport, delays (although delays can dig into duty time) that’s all time away from home away from family, kids, hobbies, etc etc….
The only thing making cargo pilot’s life easier is the lack of passengers (which reduces complexity of certain things, boxes don’t bitch” and the lack of traffic flying around at night which decreases workload.
So yeah. Is that pay worth the loss of quality of life?
Most people don’t think so.
@@nikobelic4251 why would u die earlier? lol
@@eXebeno the stress of living on the backside of the clock for nearly your entire working life along with jet lag puts extra stress on the human body.
@@nikobelic4251 i mean why specifically cargo flying
tbh, in my opinion, money should not be the only reason for a person to become a pilot. A true passion for aviation helps you in becoming a good pilot. Sure there are many pilot who earn a lot, but that is because they have a passion for their job and work hard for that. if i am not paid a 7 figure salary, i would be still wanting to become a pilot until i get my basic expenses and some money for a living
You need to be passionate about flying to become a commercial pilot. People who want to get into it just for the money will quickly fall by the wayside. You need to be dedicated, spend all your time and money and be completely broke and stressed out. Only passion and dedication can get you through this. And also being able to get loans..
Realest comment I've seen. 18 year old college student with private and trying to fly at least an hour a week working only 2 days a week at 15 an hour.... pure stress, gotta see it through though
I drive fuel tankers locally making $110,000 a year. I live at home with my mom. My plan is to save $100,000 cash to pay for flight school up front. I’m 25 with no kids or wife.
@overtheroadnick4233 nice, very wise plan indeed. Any status update?
Interesting topic. Enjoyed listening (while I work). Thank you for sharing
Thanks for listening man!
Just a correction: You don't *need* an ATPL to fly for an airline. A tonne of airlines offer jobs at lower hour requirements as long as you have a "frozen" ATPL which means you have sat all of the ATPL ground examinations, but haven't finished gaining 1500 hours yet. So once you tick over 1500 hours you can sit the practical examination and then get your ATPL. And also, the only thing that an ATPL effectively unlocks is to become a captain of an air transport operation. You can fly as a first officer without an ATPL but not as a captain.
this was exactly my thoughts. you're the only one here who picked up on that
That’s not how it works at US airlines.
@@kennethallen2931 Interesting.
I just turned 17 and I just received my category 1 medical and I’m currently completing my ground school. I was always passionate about becoming a pilot but I never noticed how much they get payed. I was only expecting 50-100k but never upwards of $500k. I guess it’s a little treat of being passionate about what you do
if you not military, you will make under 80k per year....dont let this video fool you
@@robertd7073 the average is $110k, so I don’t know what you’re talking about😂
I like your attitude. I used to say that I'd fly for free. I loved the idea of flying ever since I could remember. 76 now. Retired. I really miss it.
@@robertd7073 ?
@@XRP747E ?
My brother flies for Skywest. I’m regretting becoming a pilot for sure. He just got a bunch of bonuses and a 75% pay raise. It’s very lucrative to be a pilot right now. While I don’t get any bonuses and got a $1 an hour raise this summer doing construction. If it wasn’t so expensive and could get the $$ to train, I’d go the pilot route
You can take loans out like student loans or slowly build up your hours over time.
Sky west first officers starting at $90 an hour, 75 hour minimum pay per month… really good pay for a regional. Good for him!
The title should be "Why are Pilots paid so little?" They're literally in charge of hundreds of lives...name a profession with more responsibility.
the "if you think you might've chose the wrong career" was uncalled for😩
With the responsibility these men, and women have. They should get paid this at least!
“Maybe you just wanna fly the plane yourself. Well good luck pressing take off, then autopilot, then land!” 😂
Hahaha
😅😅 I remember this line from 30 Rock
okay one thing id like to say about the pilot shortage, that MANY people will disagree with me on, but in reality a large contributor to the shortage is pilots leaving the industry because they were forced to get the covid vax or else theyd lose their jobs. so essentially the large amount of pilots who didnt want the vax just got fired and now airlines are like "oh shit we really screwed ourselves over"
I have a Master Degree in Engineering and I am a Private Pilote Licence holder training to become an ATPL holder. So that video is pretty on point I might say :-D
Glad to hear that Cedric! Hope you kill it out there!
@@LogicallyAnswered Maybe that kill part can be rephrased? XD
But it’s indeed definitely costly ! I’ve been following your amazing channel for a long time now, always a pleasure to hear from you.
Jesus hahaha 🤣
@@eliubfj 😂😂😂😂😂
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It’s been my dream to be a pilot ever since I was 3. Currently working on my PPL, I really hope I can get into the United flight school.
Medically disqualified pilots do not just get jobs as air traffic controllers. The air traffic control pipeline is completely different and complex to get into in its own right.
there is a lot of overlap though and I think you need a lower medical to be ATC than airline pilot
They're paid quite a bit because being a pilot is quite a skilled job, AND you're responsible for a $300M jet and it's passengers, so it's what I would call a very critical job where attention to detail is important (proably more so than the average job, where you can probably screw something up, and you may just cost the company some money, but probably not a plane full of people's lives, a multi-million dollar jet and risk a hefty lawsuit for your company, for example). It's a pretty extensive job requiring a lot of training. However, I was watching some other videos and six figure rates (and particularly those that are in the say $125k-$200k+ range) are usually for seasoned pilots, whereas entry level regional pilots may make under $100k (in one case, a pilot said that a good way to figure out one's annually salary is to take their hourly wage and add three zero's to it; so a regional pilot flying shorter flights on turbo props may only make say $75-$100k but a seasoned pilot flying transatlantic flights with decades of experience may make $300k+ in some cases, plus it depends on if they do extra flights -- which are like overtime for hourly employees). So I don't think it's as cut-and-dry as people think, but a lot of it does have to do with demand I think, and also the extensive training and attention to safety and regulations, which is why it pays so well in most cases.) But also we should keep in mind that some of these figures may include other aspects and may represent one's total compensation package (wages, insurance, retirement fund related things like 401k matching, etc, so while someone may make $300k per year, they may only take home say $250k of that).
Bruh. Dad works for UPS. IT PAYS 1.5x-2x for captain and first officer no matter aircraft type. The cargo companies make so much more money and more valuable load per flight, so pay pilots way better. Also has a traditional pension and 401k. It literally makes mid 6 figures easy, and that's without bonuses. They get paid because they are a human insurance policy for millions of dollars of cargo and aircraft, not having to ferry people who actually cost the company money. Trust me, the best pilots end up in cargo because they pay is so much better.
What's usually the highest you've seen a cargo pilot make ?
One million per year during peak covid in FedEx
Working on my instrument now, 19 years old! Can't wait to fly for an airline in a few years!
Considering how much information was relayed, this video is surprisingly accurate.
Except the prices. Maybe at a part 141, I’m part 61 and I’ll pay prolly 25-30k for 0hr to cfi.
I’m in Louisiana. Maybe prices elsewhere are like this.
@@iancarterr yeah I agree. I’ll probably be a little closer to the 40k amount though.
I went through ground school and got some private hours. I’ve worked for envoy as a cross trained employee getting paid minimum wage for 4 years now. I really like the idea of being a pilot but sitting in the cockpit of a small plane for 1500 hours is insane. I worry they will eventually lower it and realize the mistake they made when I’m to old to do it. It’s willing to bet it won’t stick. Nobody I know wants to become a pilot because of it. Cut it down to 500-750 and you have a deal. Otherwise I see it becoming much more of an issue than they estimate it will be. Keep in mind it’s only been in effect the past decade because of the q400 crash. Both those pilots had much more than 1500 hours as well. It was a rushed knee jerk decision by congress and the FAA. Crazy how pilots get paid what they do and the airlines make so much but the ground staff don’t get to see it. Love the flight benefits though.
Civilian piloting jobs are a lot easier, quicker to learn and easier perform than a lot of other high-paying professions like MDs, lawyers, certified public accountants, engineering of all types, math professionals, etc. Plus advancement is guaranteed thanks to the union seniority system. It can also be fun if you like machinery and driving.
Ain’t no Guarantees… there are no Automatic uogrades
Makes no sense. When things go wrong, and things break.. that's where the piloting skills and knowledge are crucial. If you just so happen to have no engine failure over your entire 20 or 40 year career. Then lucky you. When things go wrong, that's when the expertise of pilots like Sully and the crew of the DC8 in the 90s that had 18 feet of their left wing and one of its 4 engines ripped off their plane by clear air turbulence are perfect examples (they landed safely).
Lol what? Where did you get this from?
Do you know how many doctors and lawyers kill themselves flying relatively simple planes? (It’s a lot)
It’s easy for airline pilots because of the amount of training they get.
Hellooo 👨🏻✈️ … this presentation is for the most part a reasonably accurate description of our industry EXCEPT that the top salaries described are the elite group which represent a small percentage of total pilots, the majority of pilots will earn much less for most of their careers. There are NO guarantees in career advancement and there most definitely IS a bit of luck involved in any pilots career success. That having been said … good luck y’all 🤞🍀
Throw in the risk of failing exams both for the initial ratings and then recurrent exams at the airlines, which also determines how undesirable that makes you. Mishaps/mistakes can set you back in your career goals nearly a decade or even all together.
You asked if I would fly for $300K per year? I would fly for $15/hour if my basic expenses could be met. I don't care what I'm earning, it would be so cool to fly for a living.
I've been considering this as a career path for a while. I have a 4 year degree in engineering but it didn't take me in the right direction. Right now I'm saving up (because of the high price) and studying up as much as I can for ground school for ppl. I love the mechanics of planes and the aerodynamics of flight. And every time I fly somewhere in a plane, I get chills from how amazing it feels to be in the air.
Shortages come and go, sure. But even if a lot of pilot were to pop up somehow, skills are skills. Aviation is an industry, not just the pilot career. I could still engineer new planes or do ATC, even if I couldn't be a pilot anymore. Nothing is cooler than flight!
How much is flight school on average?
This was a great video! I'm always impressed by your level of detailed research to get reliable information, and then to synthesize it into a very digestible video that flows seamlessly from one topic to the next. Your team must be really on-point.
Next, please make a video about Credit Suisse, its stock market price, risk of bankruptcy, and possible government bailout. I think it would get a massive number of views given on relevant it is right now and how many people are interested in the topic!
Thank you so much man! I’ll look into Credit Suisse
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A lot of the facts are not true. Talk to a pilot to get the facts before you believe what others say.
Brother glad to see another video!! Hope you are doing well!!
Yes sir!
Those salaries are for senior pilots at major carriers. Most of them worked 20 years or more to get to that level. They also have to pass regular physicals. Some airlines require top vision as well. Many junior pilots are at regional carriers or charters paying off student loans with a small salary. It will also vary from country to country.
Many regionals are hiring at $90-110/hr. now. My (regional) carrier tops out at $221/hr. These are all new pay scale increases as of the last several months. There's no telling how the mainline carriers and LCCs will adjust their payscales from here but it's probably going up.
@@3ifmCinematography Are you still restricted in terms of monthly flight hours? Some countries have pilots capped at 80 flight hours per month.
@@scottbrandon6244 CFR Part 117 (rest rules) dictate that we can only fly 100 hrs/30 day period.
I used to want to be a pilot but now I really hate airports, glad I didn't become a pilot. My dad used to be a piston-engine pilot in many different specialties. My uncle died in a PBY Catalina in 1961.
Being in the industry I can say for a fact this is the best time to be a pilot.
But even if someone starts now it would be uncertain ti benefit from the shortage right? Or what’s your take. Video did state the process could be slow
@@user-ls2jg7vl2h he said in the video that the shortage will only be getting worse and he imagines even higher salaries in 10+ years
My uncle is a pilot for United and now he’s rich but we never get to see him since he’s always with the birds
Good video. I went the corporate pilot route myself and I'm very happy with it.
I consistently hear complaints from airline pilots about the awful quality of life they have to endure for years before they get a good salary and a good schedule. For many, myself included it's simply not worth a personal sacrifices you have to make. Many airline pilots can't even have a social life outside of work because they're always gone.
Who lied to u. I'm an airline pilot and what ur saying is false. Every pilot had to sacrifice including u, longterm airline pilots make more than most corporate pilots. I flew corporate as well. So speak facts please thanks.
@@sircoakley8042
No one has been lying to me. I didn't say every airline pilot hated it or had bad experiences. But most of the ones I've talked to have.
Yes, I know we have to make sacrifices. And it's up to the individual to see if it's worth it to them. But for me, grinding away for years as a CFI to then grind way for years in a regional, then to again be at the bottom of the seniority list when I finally get to a major, while giving away some of the best years of my life wasn't worth it.
I got hired to fly PIC jets (CE500 type) single pilot at 1200hr TT, get paid a very comfortable salary, fly 2-3 days a week, and I'm sleeping at home in my bed all but 1 to 2 nights a month. Yeah, airline pilots will eventually in their carrier make more than me, but money can't buy quality of life.
Maybe this is true at the regional level...maybe. Not remotely true at legacy carriers and probably not even at low cost carriers.
Sounds like you got your news from the 90s when we made 20k at the regionals. Today regional guys step into 6 figure salaries and top most capt 135 salaries within their first few years. I’ve worked in both worlds, my wife still works 135 and I’ve moved on to a legacy and there is something to be said for having a union and contract that sets the bar higher than the regs. Having set contractual days off and contactable periods while on reserve, contractual limits on reassignments, pay protrction for cancellations etc. Part 135 your at the mercy of your employer and what kind of day your management is having and regs that were designed for the bottom limit of safety. Not to mention how much more stable the airlines are than from bouncing around between 135 operators your entire career. Lots of guys I fly with don’t even log flight time anymore let alone have a current resume. I rarely run into 121 guys even at the regionals that are unhappy and I haven’t flown with a guy looking to make the jump to 135 in years.
@@mattmatt516That's why the key with the airlines is to pick the company that allows u to live in base aka quality of life. Things are moving so fast where I am that guys are barely sitting 2 months on reserve before holding a line. Your job sounds great but the reality is u only have a job as long as the company keeps the jet and I have seen many go bottoms up leaving corporate guys to start over years into their career. So there are pros and cons to both. If you have a family well it's hard to argue that the airlines give better benefits, if you like free travel...that too. U are 1 of the few tbst got lucky with 1200tt to be a jet pic and still have a job today but u can't compare that to the majority.
I've been flying my whole life and this vid explains why i dropped outta collage for the flight path. Not to mention this is only in reference to commercial avation, corporate is even more wild
Dang and how’s it going?
A small correction to your overtime assessment. It is true that there is the 100 hour per month limit, however there is also a maximum of 1,000 hours per year. Therefore flying your standard 75 hours per month already puts you at 900 hours for the year. If they were to fly 100 hours per month every month, that would put the yearly total at 1,200 hours, which is 200 above the limit. So if you average it out, an airline pilot can only take 8.3 hours of overtime every month, NOT 25 hours.
sorta but you could also go hard and not fly at the end of the year but still get paid
It’s all about credit/pay hours, not flight hours. At my airline, I’ve had months where I flew 85 hours and got paid for 200. So, to say you can only get 8.5 hours of overtime is not necessarily correct. At my airline, you get paid the highest of 5 buckets, and generally your hard flight hours is not the highest bucket.
United Aviate is helping break that barrier to entry. Aviate is a United Airlines property and its goal is to train 5000 pilots for their airline in 10 years. They are also the only training system with a guaranteed position if you stay in their system. Other training places only guarantee an interview and maybe nothing afterwards. The training lasts 1 year for EVERYTHING maybe a hit more depending on the student. Private through Commercial with all the Instructor ratings.
In the EU and other places, there are ab initio pilot academies associated with various airlines. Students go from zero time to about 300 hours as a junior First Officers into an airliner. Training is more specific to airline environments and procedures including small jet training ending in an A320 type rating (license to fly A320 - same as required for captains) or similar depending on the airline going to work at. Before Covid it cost about EU$100k and took 18 months to 2 years of ground school and flying. Hiring airlines will often finance the training through payroll deductions.
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I’m from Germany and tried to get into an airline ATPL-Training(Lufthansa - European Flight academy). It’s almost impossible to get In because almost 5% get in. The other option would be private flight schools but I don’t have 110K € for the training and the European Flight Academy has become even more selective since they closed down during COVID. I eventually ended up studying economics. I’m totally fine but it wasn’t my dream to study. But as they say life chooses you.
Its been like this for a while. Best time to fly in recent years is now, or few years pre pandemic.
What is even crazier is pilots used to make more. In the 50s/60s pilots made as much as doctors and where treated as celebrities.
It isn’t hours or years of experience that gets you an upgrade to captain, it’s seniority. That’s probably the biggest negative with being an airline pilot. The trajectory of your career is entirely in the hands of the executives at the airline. If you have the misfortune of working for a company that shrinks or goes out of business you’ll be starting from square one at another airline.
Some guys get extremely lucky with timing, born at the right time and get hired at the beginning of a hiring wave. Choosing a company that is successful and grows rapidly. This is not something the pilot has any control over. Some guys just seem to bounce from one bankruptcy to another always stuck at the bottom of a seniority list at the lower end of the payscale. Just bad luck.
AT 35,000 feet and 500 mph, I want the pilots paid extremely well.
The chances of becoming a airline pilot in the legacy and major cargo airlines and making half a million dollars a year is slim and very difficult. Even if you do become a legacy captains and make 500k a year your career can end at any time by the faa.
It’s definitely a long journey and takes a lot of discipline.
Honestly man, as long as you don't have skeletons in the closet and you put in your dues (not hard to do anymore given regional FOs are now making $100K+), you have a great shot at a major carrier pretty quickly. Plenty of pilots I know that are jumping to LCC's within 1-2 years and many getting picked up at the legacies with
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@@adamp9348 couldnt have said it better myself. Ive seen people go from FO at a regional to a FO at a Legacy in a little over 2 years.
I'm currently a 1500 ATP, working at a charter company, I had to take out about 130k in loans for training, its about 1500 a month.
It'll pay off eventually, but I'm not quite there yet
A few things to note:
If you lose your medical, you can’t just be an ATC. They have similar medical requirements. But you can be an instructor for the company, which is the same or more compensation
Not everyone at the regionals can move onto the majors. But the pay at my company has doubled in the last month so it’s now about what a major starts at (the scales obv don’t go as high, only into the low $200s. We don’t have anywhere near the DC/retirement benefits they do though.
The barrier to entry is the reason we are so well compensated and should not be lowered.
+ not to also mention being a pilot isn't something anyone can do. There's lots of knowledge and physical prowess required to be a good pilot. Also when flying for airliners you have over hundreds of people's lives in your hands when you taxi to that active runway.
It isn't something most of the public would be able to handle and as such why we would be compensated for a job well done.
Most people probably could be a pilot. Would you trust them with your life though? Keep these barriers up and keep making it harder while tax payers cover those nice ATC fees for you. When AI and robots finally take over, only those losing the top paid flying jobs will care. Those who do it for fun won't.
You're content is dope 👌
Honestly, the high pay makes sense. Hundreds of lives are at the hands of the pilots. Surgeons get pay a sh*t ton of money as well because it takes many years of education, stress, hard work, and student loans to get to where they are.
So do bus drivers and train capts yet they get paid peanuts. Determining high pay depends on the complexity and ease of automation, airplanes are already able to completely be automated.
@@mohammadalhussain7919 yeah but when there’s an emergency, such as the airplane losing an engine, that automation is either useless or could easily put the plane out of control and that’s when you’ll want well trained pilots that have the skills to get that 80+ ton metal bird on the ground safely with every soul on board walking away from it alive. Also even though planes are almost fully automated, there’s still certain phases of the flight in which pilots will hand fly, such as when landing in VFR conditions because many pilots aren’t a fan of how hard autopilot’s approach mode lands the plane, and I don’t think many passengers would be, either
@@ed5649 you could have one pilot controlling a thousand flights remotely. How often will an emergency happen? Near never.. on the last part, its convenience and preference since there are 2 already. Doesn't mean a computer won't run it, in fact human error will completely be muted.
@@mohammadalhussain7919 you have no idea what you are talking about
Planes aren’t fully automated for one. The autopilot is just cruise control for the plane.
Either way, if you don’t know what you are doing you are crashing the plane. Did you know that there are certain parts of the flight where using the autopilot to fly is more workload than flying manually?
It’s not just autopilot on then “sit back relax and enjoy the flight”
That’s an annoying myth that’s been around since the Tesla autopilot came out.
Second thing you are wrong about emergencies happen ALL THE TIME medical emergencies, engine failures, flap failures, hydraulic failures, landing gear failures, sick passengers, weather diversions, runaway trims, popped tires on takeoff and landing, smoke in the cabin, smoke in the cockpit,
I could go on… these happen all the time and pilots resolve the problem and get the plane down safely, there is a RUclips channel dedicated to the radio conversations going on during these flights and they are constantly uploading.
You are very wrong about just about everything you said there except for the fact that bus drivers and ship captains should be paid more.
@@nikobelic4251 look at all flight incidents and crashes, you'll figure its mostly a human inflicted error.
Second, I am not saying a human is not needed, I am explicitly referring to the needlessness of physical presence. On ground pilot managing 10 flights for the unforseen factors you've mentioned. His pay would equate to 90% reduction to the status quo.
The answer is simple. They are paid so much because
1. The barrier to entry is so high. The cheapest way to get all licenses and rating needed is a little over 70k. But you should also have a degree which is also expensive asf
2. Years of low pay. In order to get to the highest paying positions like displayed in the thumbnail you spend years as a low payed CFI or other job. Once you finally get your 1500hr ATP you spend more time with a shitty schedule and low pay at regionals. After years of work you may be able to make it to the big guys, but even then your schedule absolutely sucks until you can build seniority in the company.
3. High stress job. Being a pilot is one of the most stressful jobs (not just bs-ing, there was a study done a few years ago). The pilots are responsible for every passenger and crew member on board. Being a pilot is not just pressing auto pilot and chilling out, not at all. You have recurrently training yearly and the wealth of knowledge you must have is pretty insane. Not many other industries are like this.
I'm one who didn't bite and have some regrets about it years later.
I went to college on an ROTC scholarship and graduated college as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army. I went on to Officers' Basic and then Army IERW flight school at Ft. Rucker, AL in the late 1980s. Post-service, I then went to work for Fed Ex in operations.
At this point, I had maybe 600 hours, and a commercial-instrument ticket. Then I went to school to get an MBA instead of pouring on the effort to get prepared to be picked up but the regionals. It was the early 1990s, and I knew guys, even at the majors, who were regularly getting furloughed. I went the Business/IT route. By the late 1990s, when I had the hours and could have gotten a multi and ATP and gone to the Regionals making maybe $25k a year back then, I was making well over $100k. Looking forward a decade from the late 1990s to the late 2000s, there was no way I was going to give up $1.5 - $2 million in earnings to make $250k - $400k flying the regionals.
Of course, today in 2022, I'd be that guy making $400k a year with a whopping fat 401k, instead of someone still busting my ass to make maybe $200k a year, if that.
But aviation in the 1990s and also the early 2000s post 9/11 was a high-risk choice comparatively speaking, and I didn't come from enough money to take a risk like that.
The only problem with the video is it is looking at one moment in time, when all the boomers all retired at once.
Ya same here. I always dreamed of being a pilot and still think about it all the time. But I'm 38 and I guess it's too late.
I grew up in the 90s and I remember constantly hearing about layoffs and bankruptcies at airlines around the world. So it never felt like it would be a stable or lucrative career.
We couldn't foresee the massive growth in the airline industry we see today. Or the pilot shortage
They’re paid so much because it’s a hard job with hundreds of lives at stake. No, a degree is not needed. Expense for training is $100k and it will be 2 years min before you ever see a jet.
risky jobs = higher payroll
Well airplanes are the safest mode of transportation, so not exactly risky. But it does come with a lot of responsibility.
@@benchoflemons398 Safe but not secure. Fail your medical examination and you're done. All the investment into the career is for nothing.
A commercial airliner is one of the (statistically) safest places one can be. It's that act of KEEPING it so safe that makes the paycheck.
Am totally enjoying this channel
good explainarion, however pay is actually pretty bad in the aviation industry outside of those flying airliner jets. flight instructors, etc generally don't get paid well at all :/
not to mention the mental health stigma that exists as a result of the FAAs stance on mental health treatment.
Ah yeah that’s true. Guess those flight instructors better jump over to the airlines haha
@@LogicallyAnswered That's what everyone wants to do, but most people start instructing at 250hrs and require at least 1500hrs for the airlines. Biiiiig hurdle to get over and will take lots of time or cost lots of money. Other pilot jobs like geosurvey, pipeline patrol, even regional cargo don't pay great either unfortunately. This is mainly a US problem though I believe.
Yeah, it’s a long road to the top. But it looks to me like it’s well worth it.
@@LogicallyAnswered That depends. It's nearly impossible to have a family while being an airline pilot, for example. And the big number salaries you see are for pilots with decades of experience towards the end of their career. Junior pilots get lower pay and poor route selection.
Worth it for some, sure. But there's a reason that the pilot shortage is getting worse, not better. You don't get to live a normal life. And the medical requirements are stringent (for good reason, mind you, but it also means your career can be effectively ended at any time by the FAA)
Money aint everything. And even then you'll be lucky to make the equivalent of minimum wage early in your career, as many airlines only pay for number of flight hours and pilots spend a fair bit of time on the ground.
As for a person study CS it totally over hype and market already saturated but it a dream of my to become a pilot (very passionate from young age) 😄✈
Very accurate. Only thing I'll add is that airlines, especially regional airlines don't ask you to take overtime. They force you to take overtime. This is a major reason why I left and will likely never return to the airlines. I was working 6 days a week with 1 night at home for around 2 or 3 months until I had a passenger steal my aviation headset ($1,000) on a deadhead. That was the last straw, I left and never looked back. Best decision of my life.
Dude wtf🤣
How did that happen?
@@Master_K14 right? Sounds like you need to take better accountability, my dude.
He'll be back.
Currently in pilot training for the Air Force, and honestly was never that interested in joining the airlines, but this video is making me reconsider a bit. Then again, we'll have to see what the situation is 10 years from now lol
lol...if you non military, expect under 80k per year to start and plan 80k per year even when you retire...this video is a joke...airlines promote military, out of pocket non-military captains should take a hike...no really, take a hike
gettin real sick of entitled jar heads in my airlines
Airlines in boom times are a lot different in bust times. There are plenty of former airline workers getting their pensions via the US govt pension guarantee agency that takes over failed pensions limited to about $30k a year payouts.
Thanks for your comment. I have something good for you. 👆Write me on the number above.
Huh....I didn't know that's how it worked. Hosed by legislation with a cap like that.
Cargo is betta
As you stated in the video, tech requires SO much less experience. The starting salary packages at FAANG companies are around $200,000, or ~$100,000 at non-FAANG bay area salaries. With 10-20 years experience it be a million+ as a tech worker, so being a pilot is about the passion of the job.
Exactly.. I graduated with a Bachelor's two years ago and started working in big tech, starting compensation $200K and now at $250K. I have a huge passion for aviation but ended up just buying a plane and training recreationally. I can WFH as much as I want, never have to be on the road. Sometimes I wish I became a pilot, but I think this is just better.
@@airops423 Here is the thing - You don't get to fly a jet, you don't get to wear that pilot uniform, you don't get paid to do what you love, you don't get to experience the entire world as part of your job. You only get to be a wannabe who has to pay a lot to fly a small piston plane. Many would gladly take the initial pay cut in exchange for the piloting life style. Maybe you should re-consider.
@@aerohk When it comes down to it, I think there are a couple of things that really appeal to me about general aviation in particular:
1- the freedom of being able to fly wherever I want with whoever I want on my own schedule
2- the challenge of operating a flying machine
These two elements just don't really exist in the airlines (and for me, there is zero appeal in wearing a particular uniform or anything like that). You could argue #2 does, but not really because you're more or less just pressing buttons on a computer that operates the plane. Much less challenging and, quite frankly, gets boring imo. Not to mention the always on the road, living out of a suitcase lifestyle. I think search and rescue or something could be a lot more fun, but the pay is just not there. The airlines can be a great career for a lot of people to be sure and I did consider it, but I just don't think it's for me.
The final thing is the opportunity cost-- giving up a career in tech is just really hard to do. I get to work from anywhere on a flexible schedule with excellent work life balance making $250K now and $400K+ a couple years from now with unmatched benefits in a field that is fairly intellectually stimulating and can have a large impact on the world. If I were stuck somewhere else, maybe the airlines would be more appealing.
@@airops423 Thx for sharing. Great that you are sure about your path, good luck.
@@airops423 what is ur degree?
My dream was the become a pilot, then I found out I was color blind :(
😢
You may still be able to become a pilot depending on the severity of the color blindness.
In the USA, there is a special testing process you can go through to obtain your 1st class medical, which is the medical license required for the airlines.
You couldn't pay me enough to be an airline pilot. The boredom would kill me.
Fair enough
This video is just applicable for USA, this is not applicable to outside
True
This is good news for me, a future airline pilot.
A thing to keep in mind is that this is all subject to change if FAA changes requirements as Autopilots improve. Autopilots today are already capable of flying pretty much the entire journey, but it is still required that long haul flights need 2-3 pilots. Say they change that tomorrow to just 1 or 2, and 50% of the jobs for the lucrative long haul flights disappear in an instant. It probably won’t happen tomorrow, but I think this is where the industry is headed.
There would still be a shortage even if 50% of the jobs disappeared
Auto-pilot only flies the route if the motors and servos controlling those control surfaces don't overheat and have the Planes computer turn-off the autopilot (to prevent a fire). It doesn't happen often but I've had multiple flights in my jet kick off my auto-pilot due to excessive turbulence. And I only have 2000 hours. Not to mention the first time there is an accident with loss of life, especially an innocent family on the ground. That whole "automated" dream will evaporate. Let's not forget... part of the reason for having a 2nd person (2 person integrity) in there is to make sure the other person (who would be alone on the flight deck as you suggest) stays honest and doesn't do anything they should not be doing.
Autopilot only does what the pilots tell it to do.
Also the aircraft would need to be certified for EMCO (extended minimum crew operations) right now only Airbus is working on a plane that could possibly be certified for this by 2025 and it may only he for cargo at first.
The timeline for EMCO (and eventually single pilot operations) is really long and all older aircraft will still fly with upgraded crews.
And if you are senior enough to fly those routes they aren’t going to just fire you, they’ll put you on another route.
When single pilot operations eventually happens (which will probably be in a long time based on current technological advancements and regulatory advances, forget public acceptance….) but pilots will just upgrade to those aircraft slowly as older two pilot aircraft retire. They aren’t going to lose their jobs. And as the airlines keep growing there will still be a need for new pilots coming in as more planes are added to the fleets. Air taxis will eventually be pilotless according to manufacturers and some corporate jets as well but for passenger airlines this isn’t the plan.
The process is slow and even people working on those technologies aren’t putting a date as to when we get there. It’s something to consider but jot something to be alarmed about.
Don't listen to these comments. They're all in denial. Passenger drones like Nexus Bell and others are in the rise. Soon we'll see smaller aircraft and AI similar to Tesla FSD ready to fly average people around. These ATPs will be out of a job.
@@nikobelic4251 lol, looks like the sound bites are working on you. Okay, no need to worry about ATP jobs then... lol
It's all about timing. It's great time for young pilots at regional now. Legacies and Majors are literally hiring anybody from regional now. I wish this could happen 10 years ago.
If you love flying, you stick with it through the good times and the lean times. The money is secondary to the sheer joy of flying. 🤠
Please make a video about PepsiCo, it owns a lot of South African food and beverage companies. I'm interested in knowing how it's allowed to have so many accusations
Thanks for the suggestion man
Why cant pepsi own food and beverage companies in s. Africa? Why is that weird? I thought they just had snacks though.
@@TheBooban I don't have a problem with their presence. I'm just curious to how their acquisitions get approved when they're already a Global leader in convenient foods and beverages. (They own Simba, Bokomo, Sasko and Pioneer Foods in SA)
Sometimes I wish I became a pilot instead of working in tech, but then I remind myself how boring it is and how you always have to be traveling. The reason I enjoy flying (recreationally) is because of (1) the freedom of being able to go wherever you want with whoever you want whenever you want, and (2) the constant challenge of operating a machine that flies. Both of these things things don't exist in commercial aviation at the airlines.
You forgot about military trained pilots. They come out with plenty of hours for the airlines and it's paid for by the government.
...After a decade of being owned by Uncle Sam with NO guarantee of getting a slot as a pilot, let alone obtaining the hours you need for an unrestricted ATP. Seniority's also something to consider. In HALF that time you could go from 0 hours to the right seat at a legacy... 5 years of seniority is pretty significant. Pay is also a consideration - military doesn't pay shit, new standard for regional pay is $100K+ first year.
Also, I don't really love increasing my risk of getting shot down by whoever we decide to piss off next in the armpit of the world... I'll stick to working 14 days a month flying RJ's :)
@@adamp9348 I used to live next to an F15 pilot and he was in the air all the time. It may not pay well, but the military does pay for your flight school and flight time, and you get to demonstrate that you're a true patriot, not just a flag waver.
Great video
Most pilots have military background and got most of those things for free in some capacity.
That's not true, 80%-85% of pilots come from the civilian sector.
Honestly? One of the more accurate videos on the subject I’ve seen. Still some inaccuracies, but minor in the grand scheme of things. If you’re interested in becoming a pilot, or simply how things work as a pilot…. This video is a pretty good baseline.
Fuck that i'd rather spend 5 years on a plane as an apprentice whilst accumulating my hours and getting hands on experience than going to Uni/college
or just become a software engineer like me 😁
Another option is upgrading America rails to high quality high speed rail with more routes. Surely it’s easier to learn how to operate a train then a airplane. Use the few pilots that want to still fly to fly out the country 🤷🏾♂️
Nice video 💙 can I ask how you find this kind of information you see am at high school and am trying to pick a career
Well personally, I always wanted to be a pilot myself. So, I just happened to learn a lot about the career over the years.
Pilots holds the safety of hundreds of souls per flight and pilots an aircraft worth millions