Why a Job as an Airline Pilot is Still One of the Best in India

How many of you have been fascinated by the uniform of an airline pilot or their lifestyle? Many of us dreamt of becoming pilots at a very young age. However, as we grow older, other career options seem more lucrative. Yet, those who have tasted the thrill of flying these sophisticated machines find it hard to walk away, even when conditions are tough. The moment you stop flying for a month or so, and see an airplane overhead, the urge to take off and land again is overwhelming.

There are many parents who always consider the return on investment (ROI) when their children express interest in pursuing a career as a pilot. But how many of you know that being a pilot is still one of the best jobs out there? How many of you want to understand the ROI of pilot training? Let’s dive deep into this.

Return on Investment: A Pilot's Perspective

For the purpose of this blog, I will consider pilot training via the cadet pilot route to eliminate concerns about job security. The lowest cost for cadet pilot training in India is offered by Indigo through Chimes Aviation, with the total cost being just under ₹1 crore. However, for simplicity, let’s round that up to ₹1 crore. Training duration is typically said to be 18 months, but let's consider a more conservative estimate—3.5 years—until one gets line released as a First Officer.

On average, a pilot flies for roughly 35 years. If we assume an average net salary, accounting for lower pay during the first 10 years and a higher salary later on, let's estimate an average monthly salary of ₹7 lakhs.

If you do the math, a pilot ends up earning roughly ₹30 crore over an entire flying career. Now, if you were to invest that ₹1 crore into the market, with a minimal expected ROI of 10% over 35 years, you would earn roughly the same ₹29 crore.

So by this simple calculation, you might think there's no need to work, as you’ll earn the same amount. However, with a monthly salary of ₹7 lakhs, a pilot has the ability to invest a portion of their earnings—say ₹2 to 3 lakhs—every month. This monthly investment will generate further wealth over time, making it clear that even from an ROI perspective, being an airline pilot is a privileged position in India.

No Boss Breathing Down Your Neck

When you fly for an airline, you certainly have senior pilots in line operations, training, or top management. But technically, you aren’t really reporting to them on a daily basis. You receive a flying roster each month, and as long as you perform your duties safely, you might not even know who your reporting manager is unless you reach out to them. While flying, it's just you and your First Officer in full control of the aircraft. Isn’t it amazing to have a job where you don’t have to report to anyone constantly?

Leadership and Crew Resource Management (CRM)

Being an airline pilot is one of the few jobs where you form a new team every day. You fly with different captains or First Officers, along with a new set of cabin crew members on every flight—sometimes even multiple crews on the same day. This gives you the opportunity to hone your ability to fit into any team quickly and demonstrates excellent Crew Resource Management (CRM). Every flight is unique; every take-off and landing presents different challenges. As a pilot, you’re not just a technician; you’re a leader who must make critical decisions based on the situation at hand.

No Homework

One of the most attractive aspects of being an airline pilot is that there’s no homework. Once you’ve parked the aircraft and finished your regulatory paperwork, you’re done for the day. No one from the company is going to call you for any work-related issues, allowing you to enjoy your family time—something that’s very rare in other corporate jobs.

Travel Perks

As an airline pilot, traveling to various domestic and international destinations is part of your job. You get to fly to new countries, stay in five-star hotels, and explore new places. What’s even better? The company provides you with an allowance to spend during your stay, depending on the length of your layover.

The Pride of Wearing the Uniform

Wearing those epaulettes and the pilot’s uniform is always a proud moment. Even in 2024, this uniform commands a lot of respect from all sections of society, reflecting the challenging nature of the job.

Break the Monotony

In most corporate jobs, you start at 9 AM and wait for the clock to tick 5 PM so you can go home. Over time, this schedule becomes monotonous for many people. But as a pilot, there’s no such routine. Your schedule changes daily, with different destinations and a completely different set of crew members each time, keeping the job exciting.

Opportunity to Gift Family Travel Passes

Who doesn’t like to gift travel passes to their family? As an airline employee, you and your family are entitled to free or discounted tickets to all the destinations your airline serves, or even with other airlines if your company has partnerships with them. Imagine the joy of sending your parents, kids, or spouse on a holiday to a dream destination!

Get Paid for What You Love

Most people who stay in aviation for a long time are passionate about flying. They love being in the air, no matter what type of aircraft they’re flying. For them, it’s hard to stay grounded for too long. As an airline pilot, you get paid for following your passion—what could be better?