Pathetic Pilot Salaries

There is no hard and fast rule that says you can't stay technology-current
as you age. I started off doing FORTRAN on mainframes, went to C and
Unix, then C++ and Unix, and here I am at 44 doing Java on Linux, making
50% more than I was making when I was 35. And every step up the ladder
was done by identifying what I wanted to do next and teaching myself.

And, of course, "Java on Linux" is identical to "Java on Windows", "Java
on OS X", and anything else you can name. :-) My team has produced 100K
lines of code in the last two years developing on OS X and Linux and
deploying the client on Windows (2K & XP) and the server on another
version of Linux, with never a single line of code modified for a
specific platform.

What's the next technology trend? I don't know, but I'm damn sure I'm
going to teach it to myself before Java on Linux jobs dry up. Although I

I've been doing nothing but Java for 7 years straight now and it's not
going anywhere for a long time to come, that's for sure...

have a nagging suspicion that my next "technology" will be "how to manage
a team of programmers in India to make sure that what they produce isn't a
giant cluster **** like every other outsourcing project I've seen".

Amen to that.

William W. Plummer wrote:
and Air Traffic Controllers at
56.

Not anymore. The age 56 rule is on its last gasping breath. The FAA
can already allow needed controllers to stay past 56 and within a few
years the limit will be gone all together.

Newps wrote:

William W. Plummer wrote:
and Air Traffic Controllers at
56.

Not anymore. The age 56 rule is on its last gasping breath. The FAA
can already allow needed controllers to stay past 56 and within a few
years the limit will be gone all together.

What about the maximum age to become a controller? Is that still 30?

--
Peter

Peter R. wrote:

Newps wrote:


William W. Plummer wrote:
and Air Traffic Controllers at

56.

Not anymore. The age 56 rule is on its last gasping breath. The FAA
can already allow needed controllers to stay past 56 and within a few
years the limit will be gone all together.


What about the maximum age to become a controller? Is that still 30?

Yes, but will probably change. They aren't in as much of a hurry to
change that though because they can get enough new controllers thru the
colleges and retaining the old farts.

"Vic" wrote in message m...
I am a 35 year old software programmer thinking about a possible

More money in computers. Believe me, I thought seriously about
other careers but the money is good and I am good at it.


I've come to know some pilots who are currently flying for ASA and
Comair. Both of them made UNDER 17,000.00 last year.

I know some entry level teachers that are making under 20,000.

"Vic" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I am a 35 year old software programmer thinking about a possible
career change into aviation.

snip

I haven't made the switch you are talking about, but I do have a point of
view which I think is relevant nonetheless.

When you have a family, your #1 job is taking care of them. That should be
your priority right now. If you can pursue a job in aviation without putting
undue hardship on your family, then go for it.

I know this isn't the post you were looking for, but making a career change
which will make your family eligible for food stamps doesn't sound like a
good decision to me.

-Trent
PP-ASEL

There is always a shortage of qualified pilots. Nevertheless, salaries
remain low and are likely to continue so. If you are in it for the money,
choose another a career.

Hi,

I am a 35 year old software programmer thinking about a possible
career change into aviation. I am currently working on my PPL.
I've come to know some pilots who are currently flying for ASA and
Comair. Both of them made UNDER 17,000.00 last year. They are both
young guys without families, homes,etc.. so it's a bit easier for
them to ride this through. Anyhow, since I haven't made up my mind
yet, I would love to hear from any of you who have been in a similar
situation. Especially if you are around my age, made the switch from a
previous career, are married, have children and a mortgage. You get my
point. How do you pay continue to pay the bills? I will obviously take
a huge hit salary speaking, but I was shocked at how low the starting
salaries are!! With my wife, children and mortgage, I could qualify
for food stamps on that kind of pay. Also, since that would put my
family below the poverty level, would I even have to pay income tax?
Not to mention I will also have to make payments on student loans if
I choose to go ahead with this.

My CFI tells me to avoid the regionals at all costs. He suggests
flying corporate, but after some research the starting salaries for a
corporate pilot seem to be just as low. He also said that in a few
years there will be a pilot shortage. If there is a pilot shortage in
3-5 years, what does this actually mean for newly rated commercial
pilots who are looking for their first job? If anyone has any thoughts
I would love to hear them. Thanks in advance!

Vic

Don't be an idiot. Keep your job and support your family properly. Save
your money and go buy your own plane to take your kids flying in and to go
see grandma.

"Vic" wrote in message
m...
Hi,

I am a 35 year old software programmer thinking about a possible
career change into aviation. I am currently working on my PPL.
I've come to know some pilots who are currently flying for ASA and
Comair. Both of them made UNDER 17,000.00 last year. They are both
young guys without families, homes,etc.. so it's a bit easier for
them to ride this through. Anyhow, since I haven't made up my mind
yet, I would love to hear from any of you who have been in a similar
situation. Especially if you are around my age, made the switch from a
previous career, are married, have children and a mortgage. You get my
point. How do you pay continue to pay the bills? I will obviously take
a huge hit salary speaking, but I was shocked at how low the starting
salaries are!! With my wife, children and mortgage, I could qualify
for food stamps on that kind of pay. Also, since that would put my
family below the poverty level, would I even have to pay income tax?
Not to mention I will also have to make payments on student loans if
I choose to go ahead with this.

My CFI tells me to avoid the regionals at all costs. He suggests
flying corporate, but after some research the starting salaries for a
corporate pilot seem to be just as low. He also said that in a few
years there will be a pilot shortage. If there is a pilot shortage in
3-5 years, what does this actually mean for newly rated commercial
pilots who are looking for their first job? If anyone has any thoughts
I would love to hear them. Thanks in advance!

Vic

Salaries will always be low in an occupation considered to be glamorous.

Mike
MU-2

"Mike Rapoport" wrote in message
news:zRHXc.126

Salaries will always be low in an occupation considered to be glamorous.

The people paying the salaries, and the pilots earning them, ought to know
better. Salaries should always be high in an occupation considered (by the
general public) to be dangerous.

-c