I recently got accepted into a fully sponsored pilot training program at a major airline (won’t say which one for privacy reasons).
They cover 100% of the training costs, and I’d even receive a salary during training. Realistically, this is an opportunity I never thought I’d get.
The thing is, I’m conflicted.
I also have another path available in music / sound design, which is something I’m already skilled at and have spent years studying. Creativity has always been a big part of my life.
On the other hand, I’ve never actually flown a plane before, so I genuinely have no idea whether airline flying is something I’d love long-term or whether I’m romanticizing it. I think the structure, responsibility, and technical side sound appealing, but I also wonder if my personality fits the lifestyle. I’m pretty introspective and idealistic (INFJ, if anyone here cares about MBTI stuff).
For pilots here — especially airline pilots — did any of you go into aviation without knowing if you’d truly enjoy flying? At what point did you realize “yes, this is for me” (or the opposite)?
And beyond just the money/opportunity side, what kind of person actually thrives in this career long-term?
I know this is an incredibly fortunate position to be in, and I genuinely don’t take it for granted. I also understand some people here may have worked extremely hard and spent huge amounts of money chasing the same opportunity, so if this post comes across as insensitive or ungrateful in any way, I sincerely apologize in advance.