While this document is directed primarily to those who wish to pursue a career with the airlines, most of the information also applies to other professional pilots. This article was provided by one of our former graduates, now flying an MD-11 for Federal Express. Being an airline pilot can be one of the world's best jobs. It is possible for a pilot to have even higher earnings during the course of a career. A pilot might only work 8 days in a month.
Pilots have retirement and benefit packages that exceed what most other professionals earn.
They get free or reduced rate travel. They get reduced rate hotel and car rentals. Pilots even have the time off to use these fringe benefits. Most pilots love their jobs, to the point that they even will fly for fun on their days off. Well, there is another side of the coin.