Interview: Dr. Randal J. DeMik

Dr. DeMik is an associate professor of aviation at Lewis University, director of their master's program in aviation and transportation studies, co-director of the Doherty Center for aviation and health research, and a captain for United Airlines. He has agreed to be interviewed and for a copy of the interview to be posted and used in my research paper.  

1. What caused you to first become interested in the world of aviation? More specifically what made you want to become a pilot? My father is a private pilot who owned his own airplane - Cessna 206.  This was our family "minivan". I started flying with him at a very early age and knew by the time I was 12 years-old that I wanted to have a career as a pilot.

2. How long does it typically take to get a job in aviation after graduation? Most students that are flight majors in college earn the CFI (certified flight instructor) certificate and typically find employment as a flight instructor while still in college or immediately after graduation. 

3. How long does it take to rise through the ranks and become a captain of a major airline? After flight instructing for about 1 to 2 years most flight instructors find employment as a regional airline pilot or corporate pilot.  After spending 2 to 5 years as a regional pilot, many pilots are hired by a major carrier. 

4. What sort of obstacles could potentially arise to make me deviate from my goal of becoming a pilot? Money!  It is expensive to earn the flight certificates from Private to CFI with a typical price tag of about $60,000.00.  Other obstacles include passing and keeping a First Class FAA Medical Certificate and successfully passing initial training at airlines (even experienced pilots find that they fail the standards of many airlines).

5. If needed, what sort of back-up plans would be appropriate for me to pursue within the world of aviation? I highly recommend earning the FAA Dispatch Certificate.  There is no max age limit or medical required.  

6. What starting salary can I expect as a pilot and how much can it go up to? What are also some unexpected benefits of the job? A CFI might earn from $23,000 to $33,000 per year in their first few years as an instructor.  A new regional airline First Officer typically earns about the same as a CFI (sometimes slightly less).  A Captain at a regional may earn from $60,000 to $90,000 per year.  A senior Captain at a major airline (including cargo, FedEx and UPS) can earn well over $200,000 per year.  Benefits include medical insurance, retirement plans, and pass travel on the airlines for the pilot and his/her family.