Ask Captain Lim

Hi Captain Lim,

Just want to ask... Who is more professional... a doctor or pilot?  My mother keeps on saying doctors are the ones who earn a lot of money. But I do not quite agree with her.

Recently, I found out that pilots in MAS can earn up to RM 36,000.00 a month with qualifications. I am pretty sure a doctor cannot earn as much as that.

So, the one and only Captain Lim, could you please give me the answer to this question?

Well, I am certainly going to be pilot as it is the best job in the whole wide world. LONG LIVE PILOTS!

Satia

Hi Satia,

I am afraid your Mum may be right. A doctor (who is a specialist) generally earns more than a pilot. It is also true that a pilot in Malaysia Airlines (when he becomes a captain on the Boeing 747 or 777 with some seniority) can earn around RM 36,000.00 a month.

Whether an airline pilot is one of the best jobs in the world is a very subjective question. Working is just not about money. You have to love what you do. Personally, I love my job as it gives me a lot of satisfaction. On the other hand, I do hear some complaints (lifestyle of being away from the family occasionally, working unusual hours, frequent monthly checks, etc) now and then about this profession as well.

You generally have to be at least a straight A's student to get into the medical college whereas the entry to become an airline pilot is not necessarily as high in comparison. However, having good academic results is not a guarantee of getting into a good airline. Amongst others, you need to have that certain aptitude (together with the right attitude) to get through the selection and interviewing process for that flying job.

I once flew with my First Officer who told me he opted to become a pilot instead of being a doctor even though he was a straight A's student. I asked him why... he told me his father was a doctor and all his siblings are doctors too. So he wanted to be different even though his father had persuaded him to follow his footstep! He is now a captain on the Airbus A330.

I also know of a newly graduated doctor who became a pilot. Somehow he could not take the stress of the job and quitted. Now, I tell you something. Airline pilots, unlike most other professions, are subject to constant monitoring of their performance every six months. Well, this is quite a stress that comes with the job. I believe, this monitoring culture is not a normal practice in the medical profession.

You can read this informal insight on the pilot profession by Dr JB Lim (not related to me) and he has a column (Dr JB Lim's Corner) in my website as well.

So, my conclusion is... both jobs are equally professional. It is all up to you to decide on which route to take. The future is in your hands!

Looking at your passion, I think you would probably be an airline pilot one day  !

I wish you all the best !

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