# This will make you regret never becoming a pilot.

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/this-will-make-you-regret-never-becoming-a-pilot/258883>\
**Category:** Shift518 Automotive\
**Created:** [June 11, 2011, 2:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/this-will-make-you-regret-never-becoming-a-pilot/258883 "2011-06-11T14:28:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
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**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\
**Post date:** [June 11, 2011, 8:19pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/this-will-make-you-regret-never-becoming-a-pilot/258883/14 "2011-06-11T20:19:16Z")

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> [@Hurt at work, would you sue?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/hurt-at-work-would-you-sue/42967/9):
>
> Varies with the job. With Colgan, I could fly anywhere in the world for next to nothing. Other jobs, I had the option to go on maintenance test flights (no thanks). Starting pilots make about 18K a year…yeah, really!

That must have been nice (near free flight), did you take advantage of that?

And some 2004 data I’ve seen - starting is just about right with what you say, but look at 10 year.

> merican Airlines: 1st yr F/O: $31,080 and 10th yr Captain $123,420

> Delta Airlines: 1st yr F/O: $50,400 and 10th yr Captain $204,636

> UPS: 1st yr F/O: $26,004 and 10th yr Captain $200,508

> Southwest: 1st yr F/O: $42,960 and 10th yr Captain $159,000

> ATA: 1st yr F/O: $36,000 and 10th yr Captain $136,632

> Airborne Express: 1st yr F/O $28,536 and 10th yr Captain $146,184

[http://www.pea.com/imd/airline-pilot-salary.html](http://www.pea.com/imd/airline-pilot-salary.html)

And another talking about the median

> In 2009, median income for commercial pilots was $65,840, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Budding aviators should know, however, that many jobs at regional airlines come with low pay for long hours. And often, you have to pay for your own training, which can be expensive.

[http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-commercial-pilot](http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/best-careers-2011-commercial-pilot)

Starting may be low, but it would appear if you stick to it, you make out rather well.

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