5 Wrong Reasons for Wanting to Become a Pilot

In the U.S alone, the student pilot dropout rate is anywhere from 50% to 70%. Flying can be an absolute delight and for the most, a very satisfying career. There are several reasons to become a pilot: But there are certain misconceptions about the lifestyle of a commercial pilot. These misconceptions could lead to having very unrealistic expectations of the job and cause negative reactions and disappointment when encountered with the realities. Have a look at 5 wrong reasons to become a pilot:

1) For the Money

Flight training can be really expensive, and yet the starting salary for most flight instructors or regional airline pilots is average and hardly enough to make a living. With the pressure of student loans and a family weighing in, the starting pilot salary isn’t going to cut it. Patience is key. It won’t happen overnight.

There are many pilots that make a very good salary, but that means putting hours and hours of flying experience. So if money is the determining factor for getting into aviation, you may want to consider a different career path.

2) For the Luxurious Lifestyle

If you’re under the view that becoming a pilot means taking direct entry to the glamorous life while sitting and pressing a few buttons in a cockpit, you may want to think again. In the last few years, the economy has taken a huge toll on the aviation industry and airline pilots

Pilots do get the opportunity to sleep in beautiful hotels sometimes — but they are also denied days and months of sleep on their own bed at home. Because of hectic flying schedule pilots rarely have time to visit and sleep at home except when they are on leave. Unlike a corporate job, they don’t have public holidays or weekends off. Since they spend most of their time at work, they miss spending quality time with their families and often miss out on important family events such as a birthday or anniversary celebration and also holidays.

3)  For the Travel Perks

If your biggest reason to become a pilot is the travel benefits, then you might be in disappointment. Pilots have a hectic schedule and have little time for fun.

Airlines today are operating at the highest possible efficiency. Airlines prefer flying their pilots a few more hours each month rather than hiring new ones. Today, pilots are flying a lot and have less downtime than in previous years.

Pilots are expected to fly at least 75 hours per month, minus the time it takes to commute or sitting at the airport, which averages to be about 150 additional hours, as per Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The good news is that senior pilots do have some flexibility in their schedule and can often set their schedules as they wish to. But like a good salary, it takes time to climb up the ladder and set your own schedule.

4)  For the Awards and Accolades

If there is one thing that pilots miss out on when they choose their profession is positive feedback. Promotions, rewards, a raise for good performance, which are a part of the corporate culture, don’t exist for a pilot. if you’re the type of person that requires a constant appreciation for a job well done or expect a raise when you fly well, then flying is not the career for you. Sometimes promotions happen for those that want to move up the executive chain at an airline, but in general, pilots don’t get rewarded for good flying. In fact, every performance has to be stellar just to keep people alive, so any flight that isn’t 100 percent perfect could mean you’re fired.

5)  A Cozy Work Environment

The pilot spends a maximum of his work time in the cockpit. And well the cockpit isn’t the coziest of places. When the pilot is flying in the plane, he has to stay alert at all times and multi-task in the cockpit pushing the throttle, pressing buttons, putting on switches and doing a lot of things. With the copilot and the pilot and there isn’t much room left, therefore the cockpit can get a bit cramped.

Not all flights go as planned. The cockpit environment is a busy one and pilots have to be on top of their game at all times. One rough patch of weather or hiccup in a communication device can significantly increase the stress level in a cockpit.

The flight environment can be stressful. Adding to that is the instability of the airline industry that leads to tension and anxiety for pilots. Airlines filing for bankruptcy and union strikes can mean flying one day and being grounded the next. The dream of becoming a pilot is a great one, but never a smooth one.

The dream of becoming a pilot is a great one, but never a smooth one. Firstly, you must have a passion for the job or you’ll be a miserable pilot. Being a pilot could mean having a splendid career but taking up this career for the wrong reasons will amount to unrealistic expectations that will ultimately lead to disappointment.

About the Author:
Captain Sameer Dogra is a commercial airline pilot from India with nearly 24 years of flying experience. His career in the aviation industry has seen him play various roles such as Check Pilot, Instructor, and Examiner. With his extensive knowledge and flying experience, he aims to provide relevant information and insightful tips to anyone aspiring to pursue a career as an airline pilot.