What NO ONE Tells you About Life as an AIRLINE PILOT | 10 Years of FLYING PLANES

Let me take you along with my journey, 10 years as an a pilot. I talk about the pilot loan, the flight training, being a student pilot, flight schools, being an unemployed pilot due to the economic crisis in 2013, airline selection processes, pay to fly contracts, airlines I worked for, lessons I’ve learned and basically all the things that can come on your path as an airline pilot. I hope it will shed some light on the aviation industry, the ups and the downs. Let me know what you think of this video guys! What no one tells you about life as an airline pilot, 10 years of flying planes.

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Thank you so much for watching this video. If you have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to comment below and maybe I will be answering your question in the next video. If you liked this video, consider a thumbs up or subscribe to this DutchPilotGirl channel to never miss out on any of my future videos. Have a great day guys!

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[DutchPilotGirl]

Thank you all so much for being here again. 😃 I hope you like this video as it describes what I’ve been going through the last 10 years of my life. Don’t hesitate to let me know what other videos you’d like to see. Have a great Sunday and again, thank you for watching! X Michelle

[ronbrock]

I am a Captain for a major airline in the USA. I have been flying professionally for 22 years. You have brought up so many good points. Every flying job you have has its differences. I like flying for large airlines because of the large organization. They provide everything and you are only expected to do your specific job. No need to load baggage, file flight plans, clean the aircraft as well as many other requirements that some airlines require. It does not happen overnight. I had to work very hard, and I also changed companies a couple times to get to where I wanted to be. I dealt with low pay and tough working conditions. There is some sacrifices that you have to make to get to where you want to be. It is worth the sacrifices. I am so thankful that I love what I do so much and that I stuck it out through the tough times. It is so worth it in the end. Good luck and fly safe. Ron

[flywithcaptainjoe]

Fantastic video Michelle, watched the entire thing whilst having breakfast :) I can relate to so many things you‘ve mentioned. I‘m happy for you that you made those experiences (so have I) and shared them with us and that you are now with a company you love flying for :) See you soon!

[SimonWestPhotography]

I never realised how poorly treated an airline pilot could be treated! You are looking after hundreds of people at a time and what a responsibility, which should be rewarded as such with all your training! I take my hat off to you and thank you for getting us to destinations safely that we can enjoy our time!!

[franciscofletes]

I’m not a pilot, I’m a physician. Very similar story. Lessons in delayed gratification. I really appreciate your storytelling. You have a great ability to bring the audience along and truly feel your journey...

[vonw.]

Crazy, I started my flight training the same year you did in 2011. I just now finished my flight training 10 years later at my flight school. I had so many financial struggles and unfortunate events that were out of my control that came up that halted my progress for years. It was tough to stay positive at times seeing my fellow friends and classmates I flew with in training go on and become CFI's, eventually Airline pilot 1st officers and Captains. I had to maintain the perseverance and patience mind frame if I wanted to success and finish. Through willpower and the love for aviation I finally achieved that recently. Finished with my Private, Instrument rating, Commercial MEL and SEL license. Now I'm working on my CFI. I was behind the 8 ball for years but in a way I'm glad I went through that struggle because it has made me stronger and has showed me that even through impossible situations your still able to make it through with patience and willpower! Now I can stand here as an advocate to give life experience to people that are new to aviation or others that are going through issues with the process. Hope this helps whomever reads to not give up!

[lostreb]

I am so glad I stumbled across your channel. Being over 70 years old, and retired, knowing what I went through to get from where I started to retirement, I really appreciate knowing what you have done, the ups and downs you've encountered, in your life's journey. I mean this as the most sincere compliment I can give you when I tell you that you are wise beyond your years. You are far ahead of where I was in my decision making process when I was your age. You are so impressive with your perspective and outlook. Please keep going the way you are. You are one I can honestly say I think the best is yet to come for you!!

[glickmpb]

Great story and Im glad you are successful. As a 51 year old male whos time has come and gone to be a pilot, I strongly envy you for doing what you love. I have worked in IT for over 30 years and, if I could go back in time, would have joined the US Navy to fly jets. I absolutely love airplanes and wanted to share a story for dreamers like me.... I was at the Oshkosh Air Show in Oshkosh, Wi (USA) a few years ago and had the chance to speak to an F22 pilot. Clearly, I was in awe as were so many other people around me. When I had the chance to speak to the pilot, I told him that I had been taking lessons years earlier in a small Piper Warrior and wasnt unable to finish. He looked at me and smiled and said, "that was the first plane I learned to fly in." It was a very inspirational moment for me because I, a nobody, was talking with a man who flew one of the greatest planes ever made.

Even you are living my dream and I wish I could go back and do it over :( I hope you stay safe, have a wonderful career and look back years from now with wonderful stories about how well your life has been. God bless :)

[---Wade---]

Michelle, thanks for educating and encouraging our next generation of aviators. I am a retired US Army helicopter pilot with 8K hours in Bell aircraft. Was recalled to active duty after 911 and taught Basic Combat skills in a UH1 at the Army Flight Center. Had the great pleasure of working with Euro-NATO flight instructors, German, Italian, Norwegian, and Dutch. I also had several sets of Dutch student military pilots that I carried for the 40 flight hour course. The Dutch pilots were amazing. The Dutch government invests millions in each of these students. My Dutch pilots had already completed fixed wing qualifications in jets and then they came to the US Army Helicopter school for helicopter qualification for another 110 hrs or so. I also had the great pleasure to be invited to a party celebrating Queen Beatrix birthday. Everything and I mean everything was ORANGE! Every drink was ORANGE! All the food was ORANGE! It was amazing and great fun. Was able to visit the Netherlands 2 years ago. Loved everything about it. But those cube building in Rotterdam made me want to re-cage my attitude indicator.

[kevinmadore]

The road to the cockpit has always been tough for folks who were not fortunate enough to have military experience. It is criminal the way some of the regional airlines treat young pilots....and get away with it. These folks shoulder a ton of responsibility and often have to live like they have no job at all. Glad to hear that you've been able to break through all of those challenges and hopefully your story will inspire others to tough it out. Nice job, young lady!!

[BoomerKeith]

Your story is such a great example of an important life lesson; don't stay where you aren't happy. Sometimes, the comfort of a routine keeps us from really exploring our opportunities and change can be scary, however, this world is too big to stay somewhere you don't see a future for yourself, or a very limited one. Great videos Michelle!

[diegowilson]

I love hearing the stories about your life and climbing the ladder there. I work in emergency medicine, but I became a pilot years ago, just because of the desire to learn to fly. Very few people know the struggle that is involved with becoming a commercial pilot. And even my teachers here, who have all been airline pilots or commercial pilots flying cargo or whatnot, have talked of the struggles, and I am always impressed... because you really have to want what you do. For the cost, it's like becoming a doctor here, and you end up spending enough money to buy a house just to train.

[irnbrukidsm]

An absolutely brilliant video…..well worth the wait for your return. Anybody looking for life lessons, aviation or not, cannot but have huge admiration for Michelle’s articulate expression of her experiences. Michelle is a huge asset for any airline or company. A free spirit and conscientious thinker. What a return to YouTube.. thanks Michelle. Most of my working life has been in adult education. You are an inspiration to the next generation no matter their career choice. Your lessons of education and work apply to everyone. Brilliant 👍😃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[LiamE]

"Overcast, 11 degrees in May"

Britain feels your pain.

[michaellamport]

This video about your life and philosophy should be shown EVERYWHERE...it applies to us all...whether you're a pilot, an accountant or a religious minister....or anyone...brilliantly, sincerely and wonderfully done!

[THELIFEOFPRICE]

Great video, People dont understand that happiness is way more important than making more money. Luckily you got that figured out very early in life =D

[JasperFromMS]

This is great. Far too many people don't understand how dangerous debt can be. The fact that you have managed it show that you make good decisions. The public needs pilots who make good decisions.

[alc.]

I am 29yrs old this year and if things goes well, I’ll get my CPL and Multi-engine instrument rating by the end of the year. I’m definitely a late starter and what’s ahead doesn’t look too bright. Videos like this definitely help encourage people to stay on their path hopefully pandemic will be over soon and let there be another shortage of pilots. Thanks dutchpilotgirl for the video

[Ajay-hwgm]

Michelle, I am so happy for you that you have found a place that is making you happy doing what you love. As your video shows, life is full of ups and downs. It shows that you have worked hard for it and have your head on straight! I would love to be a passenger on a flight where you are the pilot. I know I would be in good hands! Keep the videos coming!

[generalrendar]

Oh wow. It's amazing hearing your story because I faced the same decision in 2009. I started my flight training but once I understood the costs I had to put that dream on hold. I did my research and with how terrible the job market was, especially after Colgen Air, it got delayed even more. I delayed until 2018, until the market turned around. My goal is to fly for UPS but my eyes are open for the best deal for me. Thank you for sharing!