4 ms·

Pretty much every entry level pilot job is near minimum wage.

• tyingq 6y ago
  It's a pretty interesting space. Pilots can make good money with seniority, but if they switch to another airline, they start at the very bottom again. On the other hand, they do have collective leverage, as airlines can't quickly replace them.
• fennecfoxen 6y ago
  My understanding is that American Airlines doesn't actually hire many entry-level pilots, and by the time you're experienced enough to be hired by any major passenger airline, you'll be making okay money. The regional airlines, on the other hand — the ones running those little connector flights with CRJs and the like, branded "American Eagle" or "Delta Connection", with a four-digit codeshare and inferior snacks and entertainment — those are a lot less picky, and their pay is a lot more questionable.
  • LargeWu 6y ago
    This is absolutely true. The university I went to is known for its commercial aviation program, and draws students from all over the nation and world to learn to be airline pilots. So many of them end up with huge debts, because flight school is crazy expensive, and eventually take non-aviation related jobs out of school because they just can't afford not to. Only those that were probably already very well off, or have connections, or are extremely driven, will ever sit behind the stick of a commercial jetliner for one of the bigs.