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Airline Pilot or General Aviation Pilot?

Asked by: 7738 views
Aerodynamics, Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

I am still deciding weather or not to go for a commercial pilot or to get a different job and be a General Aviation pilot. I have heard that working in the Regionals sucks more than ever. I do want to own my own plane someday.

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5 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Aug 13, 2012

    I’ve heard every entry level position sucks. Don’t be a doctor or a lawyer because they make you work extremely hard without the compensation the long time doctors or partners in a firm make. Don’t go into the military because they require you work odd hours and the pay is horrible. Don’t go into…

    The point is this. If you are willing to work extremely hard whatever your dream is you will achieve it. There are always obstacles that stand in the way of achieving your dream and when you do attain it… it will only be that much sweeter. Work hard, exceed. That is the American way.

    There are other way to sitting in the left seat of a major carrier than working through the regionals. You just have to be creative and work hard.

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  2. JB on Aug 13, 2012

    The good news is you don’t have to choose either right now. The path to both begins the same way. You have to get your Private, Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine and usually your CFI certificates to land a job as either a GA pilot (corporate, charter, instructor, etc.) or an airline pilot. So, focus on your education and those certificates first. As you gain experience you will eventually be able to decide which path you want to follow. There is always the military route as well, which will be excellent training but you will have a long-term commitment after initial pilot training making you about 30 when you could apply for an airline job. The exception would be flying for the National Guard (which usually involves knowing someone in the unit to recommend you). Doing the Guard allows you to fly BOTH military and airline at the same time. Good luck!

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  3. Tom on Aug 15, 2012

    If you honestly know you want to fly, go with the training and licenses. At some point you will either keep going, or you will go another route, which many, many pilots do. I was going the pilot route, doing 135 charters and 91 corporate. I could have kept going, I chose not to, I now have a well paying job, and instruct on the side strictly for my enjoyment.

    One friend of mine went the airline route, did his stint in the regionals making crap money, living in cheap crash pads, and having to relocate a few time. But he is now with spirit airlines, make about the same money I make, but really only works about 10 days a month with th line he bids each time.

    A second friend of mine I started flying with, was doing small 135 op, went to the regionals, got laid off, got a job with a 135 op traveled all over the world, gone for weeks at a time, barely saw his wife, quit that job when she was pregnant so he could actually be home with her, now working for a part 91 op that he does alright money, but he is home almost every weekend, and rarely does overnight trips.

    So end result, your path can take varying turns while pursuing it, it is best to have all possibilities covered because you dont know what will be happening in 2 or 6 or 10 years.

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  4. David on Aug 17, 2012

    Well, I’m new to this forum, but not so new to commercial aviation. I’ve been flying for a major airline for the past 15 years. I came up through the commuter ranks (11 years) during a slow period in hiring. So, here’s my 2 cents worth.

    Timing is very important. So is patience and dedication. Although any number of events can happen in the next 10 years to change this outlook, it seems that in a few years airline hiring will be at an all time high due to expansion in the Asian markets and retirements resuming. There was a big bubble of hiring in the late 1980’s and most of those folks will be starting to retire by 2020. Also, it is estimated that 50% or more of military sorties within the five years will be flown by drones, which equates to fewer pilots coming out of the military and going to the major airlines. My company has retirements scheduled to resume in 2013 (1%), and by 2023 up to 6% per year.

    Starting out at certain commuter airlines can be tough. My first commuter job in 1985 only paid $10,000 per year and I got 8 days off a month. However, within a year or two I was making enough to live comfortably as a commuter captain. I viewed that first year as paying for my training. Although the pay rates were better when I went to the majors, a similar situation occurred. I took quite a pay cut the first year to go to the majors, but within 2 years I was making significantly more than I was as a commuter captain.

    Now, life is pretty darn good. I make a very good income and fly about 16 days a month internationally. Last month I visited 4 continents. I really enjoy my job, but it’s still a job…it has its down sides (commuting, jet lag, sweating out recurrent training and physicals…). I’ve elected to stay as a First Officer so that I have some control of my schedule and be home for the holidays. It would be difficult for me to go back to a regular 9-5 job.

    All that being said, for a young person considering a career as an airline pilot, the future is brighter right now than it has ever been. Just remember that flying for the majors is like playing baseball for the majors…they hiring pool is deep and wide so the employers can be quite choosy since they only need to skim the best off the top. A career as an airline pilot is a competition. Only the best will make it to the top. Get the best flight time you can. Experience in similar type aircraft is very desirable by the employers. I doubt there are any heavy jet operators that are willing to hire someone without some jet or considerable turbine time. Be willing to move up often even if it means moving often. You’ve got to live like a good pilot long before you become one. Any DUI’s, illegal drug use, other illegal activities, TAX issues, or medical issues make it easy for the employers to remove someone from the hiring pool.

    I know a few folks that preferred the corporate pilot lifestyle. Working for the right company is a real plus and can be a career in itself, however, the odds are that most corporate positions are not permanent. Those that are permanent have little to no movement in seniority, pay, and responsibilities.

    Good luck and in the end “keep the greasy side down.”

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  5. james l. hibbert on Feb 19, 2013

    I chose a different route. I have the ratings, instrument, commercial, agi and have taught
    for a major flight school. However, I maintained my business which allowed my family
    to have a good standard of living. I have owned 2 airplanes and my family has had their
    needs met.

    The airline route is tough. My wife is a senior flight attendant and makes more than
    first officers on her regional carrier.

    You can fly, work your chosen field and be quite happy.

    J.L. Hibbert

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