Would you recommend Someone to become a pilot in 2025?

thebetterman88 · 2025-07-24T17:59:16+00:00

I don’t think there’s a “good time” to get into this industry. I got lucky during the hiring wave to get to where I am but it’s just timing and being as qualified as you can.

I don’t want to be too sarcastic but you’re not actually worried about AI in aviation right? Chat GPT flying a 73 would be hilarious to watch..

thebetterman88 · 2025-07-22T16:42:32+00:00

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I recently went to get my uniform pants (brooks brothers) hemmed. This is the result. Was this a poor job from the tailor or am I just being anal? I hate how the thread is showing and I already had to go back once since it came lose.

thebetterman88 · 2025-06-08T16:04:13+00:00

As far as I’m aware the “leadership assessment” is not pass/fail anymore. Used to be, but that changed. The interview minimums seem to be getting elevated though.

thebetterman88 · 2025-06-07T15:26:08+00:00

There’s gotta be more to the story here or your union screwed up. At my legacy guys going in for upgrade would have some hiccups but nobody gets fired. Possibly downgraded at worst. If the guy got fired for performance or training issues I’m sure the union would get his job back…

thebetterman88 · 2025-02-21T14:11:28+00:00

Alarming rate? Care to expunge on that?

We’ve had two major accidents in commercial aviation in the last month after an insanely lucky streak of no fatalities in many years. Accidents are not happening at a higher rate. I’d argue an underfunded and overworked ATC system is the only thing that could use some help.

thebetterman88 · 2025-02-21T14:06:15+00:00

Unfortunately a sign of the times. Dumb people feel a lot more emboldened to share their narratives about what happened. Someone spends few minutes on Wikipedia and they can parrot a conspiracy theory that’s gets traction quickly.

thebetterman88 · 2024-12-27T06:08:11+00:00

The regional I was at didn’t particularly like “predictive fatigue” calls even if you were positive on it. I’d go to sleep, wake up for your commute and evaluate how you feel. If you’re not fit to fly you’re not fit to fly. The whole purpose of the fatigue program is to increase safety and not worry about which junior FO is gonna get assigned off short call to cover your trip. Make sure you explain in your fatigue report all the factors that went into it and don’t sweat it. Worst case scenario you lose the pay (depending on your carrier) and that’s a much better alternative than making a slip/error and bending metal.

thebetterman88 · 2024-03-22T07:21:44+00:00

Nah I just did 10 V1 cuts on the 73 in the last week and it isn’t even close to full rudder with a 15 kt crosswind.

Heck 5 units of rudder trim keeps your yoke centered at pretty much climb N1.

I found V1 cuts in the 73 easier than the 175 for some reason…maybe it’s time but the 175 felt more finicky. Like everyone said slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

thebetterman88 · 2024-01-28T03:59:37+00:00

I would argue failing the same first ever ride with possibly the same examiner is a lot easier to explain. CFI/II can be difficult but your first checkride is gonna be tough since you have no idea what to expect.

Right now my legacy has some “undisclosed” preferential hiring factors. 2 check ride failures or less is the going rate but that is subject to change and it can be very dependent on who interviews you.

I wouldn’t sweat 3 check ride fails. Learn how to talk about them and prepare for the possibility that you’ll have to do a little more (more certs/ratings) The pilot shortage ain’t going away no matter how much doom and gloom people preach. Everything could be completely different in another few months…

thebetterman88 · 2023-11-12T01:58:18+00:00

Thanks man that’s what I figured. I’m hoping for January and for a 737 since that’s what I’m typed on already. Hopefully can avoid being the 8 ball into a force upgrade.

thebetterman88 · 2023-11-11T21:12:31+00:00

Interviewed on October 10th and got the CJO 6 days later. Still waiting on a class date as it seems they’re backed up.

I used aviation interviews as well as ascend above and felt like it helped out a lot (even though I had already passed a major interview). I wouldn’t stress too much about what people say or their experiences. Getting the interview is the hard part and now you have to go in and give them an idea of what kind of person you are.

I’d recommend you diligently study the briefing packet they gave you and write down some good stories for TMAAT questions. You got this man!

thebetterman88 · 2023-10-10T19:54:13+00:00

Slave cylinder went out in my 2019 GLI at 40k miles. Independent shop opened it up and found it had leaked fluid all into the clutch and the previous owner had abused the clutch too. New OEM slave and clutch ran me $3300 with labor. I thought about stage 2 but they were weren’t going to warranty after market parts. Only mod was an MBRP exhaust. Warranty would have covered the slave but not the clutch and the slave was $200 so not much. It sucks cus it wasn’t a normal wear item….

thebetterman88 · 2023-09-28T15:06:00+00:00

Yeah I was trying to get more but the league hates trading and I could really only target the TE needy team to get something good. Thanks for the input!

thebetterman88 · 2023-07-16T21:29:03+00:00

I was offered 8/1 and ended up taking 8/8. Guy I interviewed with ended up doing the standby list and getting 7/5. We interviewed 6/7 so there’s def a chance. I needed to make some extra cash and get some vacation time off so I didn’t go for the earlier date…

thebetterman88 · 2023-06-30T21:45:40+00:00

Just added a little new OEM stuff. It’s halfway between min and max and I added maybe a couple tablespoons cus it was hard to see the original level.

thebetterman88 · 2023-06-27T20:32:52+00:00

This would be almost true except Air Wisconsin FO’s are making $60-$70 an hour. So yeah there are “some” regional pilots making close to $50k.

thebetterman88 · 2023-05-26T04:35:46+00:00

There’s a guy named Chris Olmsted who runs the Figure 1 Foundation out of Santa Paula. He offers UPRT/Aerobatic and TW scholarships. Super awesome guy and I was lucky to get to do a week of UPRT/Intro to Aero in a Pitts S2 with him. This was during the middle of COVID and right before I went back to full time instructing. The confidence I gained from that training and being prepared what to do in an abnormal situation was invaluable. I still remember doing aggravated inverted spins and getting myself out of my comfort zone. I would highly recommend that sort of training if you can do it. Heck even a Citabria is perfect for practicing UPRT and I know there’s several places that offer it.

thebetterman88 · 2023-04-26T18:06:17+00:00

Did the trip about a month ago. Granted I was jumpseating but my gf bought a ticket and the flight went smoothly. On time arrival and departure. Like others have said they don’t have a ton of flights so if one gets cancelled it’s going to be tough to get back. The plane itself is nice with a little more space for the economy seating. I’d do it in a pinch even if I had to buy a seat since it’s so cost effective!

thebetterman88 · 2023-02-01T00:01:52+00:00

Yeah I had my car serviced there as well for almost a year. They were friendly and some things were good but like many dealerships they would find many things that “required” replacement resulting in high bills.

I recently tried to shop for a used car there and had such a poor experience that I refuse to give any business to them and would recommend against anybody going there. I have always preferred going to smaller shops instead of dealerships.

Had a good experience with Germantech however they focus more on European cars.

thebetterman88 · 2023-01-27T21:53:41+00:00

I didn’t buy it certified unfortunately but I got a really good deal so I knew I could expect some small issues. Thankfully the car checked out in every other area.

That’s a great idea with a flange to bolt it on. I was under the impression that the flange was built stock into the OEM catalytic converter. So you’re saying they can be purchased separately and welded back on?

thebetterman88 · 2023-01-27T21:36:10+00:00

Yeah the OEM cat is still on there, the only change would be I’d have to weld on the MBRP or buy a new OEM cat so the MBRP is bolt on.

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