Airline Pilot + Climbing? (+climbing careers)

John Dwyerwrote:

Hey MP,

I'm at something of a crossroads in my life. Early 20's, nothing really tying me down, and trying to decide on a career that I will enjoy AND will give me a reasonable ability to climb in the long run.

Currently thinking about getting into the pilot business, with the end goal to be a pilot at a major airline. Seems like a decent career for a climber when you run the salary/travel access/time off matrix, plus it seems pretty darn fun.

I'm sure there are better careers for a well-rounded climbing lifestyle (I'm currently a teacher and if the pay was better it would be darn near perfect), and being young and foolish I'm open to suggestions from strangers on an internet forum. What do you do and how well would you say it supports your climbing hobby/addiction?

Johnny, do you like movies about gladiators?

John Dwyerwrote: (I'm currently a teacher and if the pay was better it would be darn near perfect)

If money is really your only complaint with teaching, change to a different school system or state. My wife and I both teach in Salt Lake public schools. We aren’t high rollers but we definitely have enough money to do everything we want to do. I even have a kid. 

I am a helicopter pilot, currently working as a flight instructor in Cedar City, Utah.  I absolutely LOVE it.  The issue I am currently having is that my work schedule takes up much of my time, so I really have to make time to climb.  Long-term, I am of the understanding that I will have somewhat of a 7-on, 7-off type of schedule.  An above comment I saw claims that regional airlines make less than $20k a year.  That is absolutely incorrect.  I make $36k salary currently and fixed wing pilots will always make more than rotorwing.  I have lived the dirt bag lifestyle, so I feel like a rich man.  

Also feel free to DM me, I feel like I have a pretty descent feel on the pulse of the industry currently, especially with the covid shut downs.  I am still climbing as hard as ever, but am required to organize my life and build time to train and get out to climb.  

John Dwyerwrote:

Hey MP,

I'm at something of a crossroads in my life. Early 20's, nothing really tying me down, and trying to decide on a career that I will enjoy AND will give me a reasonable ability to climb in the long run.

Currently thinking about getting into the pilot business, with the end goal to be a pilot at a major airline. Seems like a decent career for a climber when you run the salary/travel access/time off matrix, plus it seems pretty darn fun.

I'm sure there are better careers for a well-rounded climbing lifestyle (I'm currently a teacher and if the pay was better it would be darn near perfect), and being young and foolish I'm open to suggestions from strangers on an internet forum. What do you do and how well would you say it supports your climbing hobby/addiction?

Johnny, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?

First year pay at commutair (about the regional airline currently hiring) is roughly 33k.  20k starting pay was about right in the last hiring/contract cycle for entry level regionals but has increased in the last several years.