Wanna be a pilot in the USA?

[Greg McDonald]

Are you sure????? Check this out...it was added to youtube in 2006

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RayMaswju1A&NR

[Ben W]

I do believe the youtube video was a joke. I have two friends, one first year and one fourth year pilots with Delta and skyway that confirmed it was a joke. They both said they wouldn't be doing it for that kind of pay. This link also adds some credibility to their statements. http://www.pea.com/imd/airline-pilot-salary.asp

[Mike Scott]

I think I'm probably the longest resident ex pat on the board having moved here to the states in 1979...that said I have to agree with the good things/bad things discussion point (which is true in almost any country). I will add though that things have not gotten any better over here for probably the last decade and given the choice (which I have) I choose Oz over the US in almost every category which is why I'm planning to return home permanently in the next couple of years. Not saying that the US hasnt been very good to me (it has) and that the work hard/reap the rewards ethic hasnt paid off...its simply that its not the same place it used to be and that as someone else mentioned they tend to be more tolerant of us than vice versa. I'm also keeping in mind that a few bad examples (loud american tourists etc) are giving the many a bad wrap.

Aviation wise, the business/the job is also not what it once was, but....if you want the experience of flying in some of the most dense traffic in the world and working with some of the best ATC folks (and systems) in the world then this is the place to be. Not perfect to be sure....yes when you start the dollars are low (like most jobs) but once you put in your time, build some seniority, get a domicile and a roster that fits your lifestyle then life becomes tolerable (lets not talk about commuting and stand by travel) and you can make a very good living here.

The Utube video etc is/was a joke though some of the content hits very close to home and I do have a lot of sympathy for the guys flying the RJ's for some of these feeder carriers....it is what it is....a stepping stone to something better and something that you appreciate much more once you get there because of what you had to put up with in the past.

Enough said.

MS