Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/5/2008

Question
I'm thinking about being a pilot for one of the major airlines one day, and I was wondering if its worth it?

Answer
Hi,

Thanks for your question....I will try to assist.

I think that the answer depends quite a bit on you and your interests.  There is no doubt that there will still be major airlines and there will still be major airline pilots in the future.  The current fuel crisis is a bit discouraging, but, remember that the airline industry (and the aviation industry overall) is a very cyclical industry.  I have personally experienced major ups and downs in every decade since I graduated from college and entered the industry in the late 1960s.  But, the question is WHAT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN DOING?  If you want to fly for a living, have you pursued flight certification (a Private Pilot License, for example) in any way as a preliminary step?  This would be an important first step just to see if you like flying in general.  If flying gets into your blood, you will know it and you will want to do it no matter what.  If it is something that you just want to do for the money, then, think again.

I do think that there will be good, worthwhile jobs flying for the major airlines in the future.  There is no doubt that there are pressures to keep airline salaries down right now, but, the major airlines still pay their pilots well....some, like FEDEX and UPS (both cargo airlines) pay their most senior captains at $250,000 or more a year.  Other airlines are in the $180,000 to $200,000 range for senior captains.  However, it is not all about the money, it is also about the satisfaction that the job brings to you.  Only you can decide that about a flying career, or, about any career for that matter.

Good luck with your decisions and let me know if I can help you further.

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale