Airline Life Archives - Aviation Careers Podcast

In today’s episode, we discuss the truth about Airline schedules and pilot earnings. This comes from feedback@aviationcareerspodcast.com and from the YouTube Channel Comments.

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Talking Points:

Feedback@AviationCareersPocast.com

Hello Carl,

I recently came across your YouTube and love the content you are putting out. My question is regarding getting started at 39 and the rumors around the industry. I have dreamed of becoming a pilot since I was about 13 years old. I would fly to see my mom twice a year and couldn’t wait to get to the airport to watch the planes. As I got older I didn’t really think it was possible for me to become a pilot until recently when I started doing some research and realized there is financial support. This re-lit that dream in me about becoming a pilot. However, I’m curious about two things.

I’m 39 years old and am married (no kids – none coming). During my research I have found quite a few comments about how poor the scheduling is (bidding) within the industry and that you never get holidays off unless your seniority gets you those days off. I’ve also read some comments stating you are barely home and work far more hours than are advertised. I’m not afraid of hard work, however, I’m worried that if I do embark on this journey at 39 years old, how long will I need to realistically look at barely being home? The reason this worries me is I don’t want to put myself in a position where my wife ends up leaving as that is something else I read that divorces are high within the pilot realm. Thank you for all the information you put out and I hope to hear from you.

Comment From YouTube Channel EPISODE 345:

https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/acp345-yes-you-can-become-a-pilot-at-45-or-older/

It’s never too old to enter, but the time you’ve lost may mean you cannot make it through the seniority of a large airline to the top earning spots, so you may have to manage your expectations from that point of view

Carl’s response: It is true you may not make it to the top of the seniority list but you might still be able to top the pay scale especially if you have more than 12 years left until retirement at the airline. Great comment. You inspired me to make a video discussing how you can make top pay even if you don’t make it to the top of the seniority list.

Another response.

@Aviation Careers Podcast, best of luck. I’m talking from a UK point of view where it plays out very differently. 250 hrs FO to low-cost captain at 3000 hrs on a 737. quick promotion but salary stops at about £100k …. seems a slow burner in the US but the ability to make 3-400k dollars but at a “mid-life” age with companies like UPS. I’m lucky I got into this at 20… 757 capt at 33, 787 capt at 42, 787 check capt at 44 …. 744 capt at 50 ( didn’t expect that ! )

Carl’s Response: Great perspective, and thanks for the feedback. In the US you normally top out at 12-year pay with a median income of around $200 is what can be expected in the US. It would be great to have someone on the channel to discuss aviation from a UK perspective since we are very US-centric.

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Patrons Giving Away Free Scholarship Guides:

Thank you to our Patrons for paying it forward and giving away free scholarship guides every month. For only $1 a month, you can help someone achieve their aviation dream!

If you are looking for one of those free scholarship guides sponsored by our patrons please visit. https://www.aviationcareerspodcast.com/Free/

Want to learn more about the scholarship guide visit:

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