Before starting your aviation journey, you might be wondering if this career is the right fit for you. As much as understanding why it might be a good idea to become a pilot for you, it is also equally important to understand why it might not be the best choice for you personally to make a well-thought-out decision.
Becoming a pilot is often associated with the exhilaration of soaring high in the skies, the thrill of navigating complex machinery, and the allure of traveling to varied destinations. However, like any profession, it has its unique set of challenges that might make you reconsider this career path.
In this blog post, we aim to shed light on some of the reasons why you might want to think twice before taking to the skies as a pilot. Buckle up as we navigate these lesser-known aspects of aviation.
Costly Training and Licensing Requirements
One of the most significant deterrents to becoming a pilot is the high cost associated with training and licensing. Prospective pilots must complete extensive training, which can involve hundreds of hours of flight time.
The cost of this training can easily run into tens of thousands of dollars, and that’s before factoring in the costs of acquiring and maintaining various types of licenses and certifications. In addition, the ongoing training required to stay current with evolving technologies and regulations can add to these costs over time.
It’s important to make sure that you’re financially prepared for these obligations before deciding to pursue a career in aviation.
High-Stress Environment
The aviation industry is notorious for operating in a high-stress environment. Pilots are expected to handle immense responsibility, as they are in charge of the safety of hundreds of passengers. They have to make crucial decisions under pressure, often within tight time frames, which can lead to chronic stress.
The irregular working hours, continuous vigilance, and constant awareness required for the job can take a toll on one’s physical and mental health. Moreover, the profession is not just about flying – it involves a lot of paperwork, compliance with strict regulations, and frequent examinations to ensure ongoing competence.
Long Working Hours
Although pilots are only allowed to fly for 8 hours in a 24-hour period and maybe 10 hours if another pilot is on board, they often have to work long hours due to the amount of pre- and post-flight tasks such as maintenance checks, paperwork, briefings, waiting for passengers, etc.
Furthermore, airlines usually require pilots to be available for standby shifts in case of flight schedule disruptions. This means that they can be called at any time of night or day when needed which can affect the pilot
Pilots often have long and irregular working hours, which can be detrimental to one’s personal life and health. These hours can include early morning flights, late-night returns, and overnight layovers in different cities.
Furthermore, there is no standard 9-to-5 workday for pilots; their schedules are dictated by flight times, which fluctuate depending on factors such as seasonal demand and international time zones. This can make it challenging to establish a consistent routine, and it often means working on weekends and holidays.
Potential Health Risks
The high-altitude environment can contribute to a number of health problems including increased exposure to harmful cosmic radiation, which has been linked with an elevated risk of cancer. Cabin air quality also is a concern in certain aircraft models, with repeated exposure to contaminated air potentially leading to chronic and debilitating health issues.
Furthermore, the stress of maintaining vigilance for safety and managing complex equipment under sometimes challenging conditions can lead to both psychological and physiological stress responses. These stressors, combined with irregular hours disrupting sleep patterns, can boost the risk of cardiovascular disease and other stress-related conditions.
Noise exposure in the cockpit is another often-overlooked health risk, which can lead to hearing loss over time.
Also worth mentioning is the risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) due to prolonged sitting. DVT is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep in the body, usually in the legs, leading to potentially life-threatening complications.
Limited Career Mobility
Once you commit to the path of becoming a pilot, changing careers can be particularly challenging due to the highly specialized skill set and training required for this job. These skills might not directly translate to other career fields, which can make the transition difficult.
The aviation industry also tends to be highly competitive and volatile, with job security often impacted by factors such as economic downturns, fuel costs, and airline mergers.
For this particular reason having a backup plan is always suggested for pilots. Like, maybe getting a degree along with flight training. This could be in areas such as aviation management, air traffic control, or aerospace engineering. Having such qualifications can increase the likelihood of being able to enter other fields within the aviation industry if needed.
Low Starting Salaries
Despite the allure of soaring through the skies, it’s important to acknowledge that pilots often start their careers on a modest salary. The initial years can be financially challenging, particularly when taking into account the high cost of flight training and education. In Canada the average starting pay at a regional airline for a first officer can be as low as 45,000 $CAD.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the lowest 10 percent of commercial pilots in the U.S. earned less than $44,100 in 2020. While earning potential increases significantly with experience, it can take many years to climb the ranks to a higher salary bracket.
This, coupled with potentially high student loan debts, can place considerable financial strain on aspiring pilots in the early stages of their careers.
Career progress is heavily based on seniority
In the aviation industry, hierarchy reigns supreme. Career progression in this field is primarily dictated by seniority, not necessarily aptitude or performance. This means that new pilots, irrespective of their talent or skill levels, often have to spend extended periods in lower-paying roles before they can advance.
The seniority model is deeply entrenched in the aviation industry, dictating everything from pay scales to flight assignments and even vacation schedules. For example, the most coveted flight routes often go to the most senior pilots. This system can be frustrating for ambitious, high-performing newcomers who may find their climb up the career ladder slower than in other professions.
Furthermore, changing employers could mean starting from the bottom again as seniority does not transfer from one airline to another. This lack of mobility can further slow career progression and be a potential deterrent for those considering a career as a pilot.
For example, you could start as a Captain at a small regional airline, which typically takes years based on seniority to reach and has a maximum pay of $90,000 USD. If you switch jobs to another airline, you would start as a first officer with a new seniority number and a salary of around 75,000 $USD. From there, you would need to work your way up the seniority ladder to go to the top of the food chain.
Being away from home a lot
A career as a pilot is often associated with a certain level of glamour and excitement, primarily due to the travel opportunities it offers. However, this often involves extended periods away from home, which is one aspect that may discourage some from pursuing this career. Family life and personal relationships may suffer due to the constant absence and unpredictable schedules.
For individuals with young children or those who value home life, this can be particularly difficult. Pilots often miss out on important life events such as birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. While the opportunity to travel and explore new places is undoubtedly a perk, the trade-off is a lifestyle that may not align with everyone’s personal circumstances or preferences.
Getting examined and tested throughout career
Throughout a pilot’s career, rigorous examinations and testing are an unavoidable aspect of the job. These examinations can be stressful and demanding, with a significant impact on a pilot’s work-life balance.
From the moment you start training, pilots are subjected to a rigorous examination process that includes written tests, simulator assessments, and regular medical examinations. These examinations are designed to ensure that pilots are fit to fly and that they possess the necessary knowledge and skills to safely operate an aircraft.
Moreover, even after qualifying as a pilot, the testing does not stop. Pilots are required to undergo regular checks to maintain their licenses. These include six-monthly medical checks, annual proficiency checks, and recurrent training every year.
All the issues mentioned above fade away in the shadow of the immense satisfaction one can get in an aviation career, but it important that one understand all these factors that could affect enjoying a great career. If some of these are reasons that could keep you up at night, may be a career as a pilot might not be for you.
If you liked this blog, you might enjoy reading some challenges pilot face in their day to day jobs here or even some reasons why student pilots quit flight training.
Some other questions people have about reasons not to become a pilot
Do pilots get tired of flying?
Yes, like any profession, pilots can experience fatigue or a sense of routine in their daily operations. Flight schedules, especially those involving long-haul flights or irregular hours, can be physically exhausting and mentally challenging. It’s also important to note that piloting involves a high level of responsibility, which can sometimes lead to stress and job fatigue.
However, most pilots are motivated by their passion for aviation and the unique experiences their job provides, which helps to balance out these challenges. It’s a career that demands resilience, but the rewards, for many, are well worth it.
Do pilots have a fear of flying?
Surprisingly, some pilots do grapple with a fear of flying, also known as aviophobia. While this may seem incongruous with the nature of their profession, it’s important to remember that pilots are human beings susceptible to the same fears and anxieties as anyone else. In some instances, a traumatic experience, such as a turbulent flight or near-miss incident, can trigger this fear.
Many pilots with aviophobia manage their fear effectively through various coping mechanisms, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness techniques, or even medication in severe cases. It’s a testament to their dedication to the profession that they continue to fly despite this challenge.