smart: I am a recent high school grad and I am looking to go to college to pursue a well paying career. Is it a smart choice to begin a pilot certification course in conjunction with my bachelors? What is the commercial pilot job outlook? Would I be in danger of easy layoff? Any information on what is the best way to start a career as an airline pilot will be appreciated!Is it smart to work for a certification as a commercial pilot?the above answer is almost right...maybe a little to the extreme. More than likely your first job will be instructing for a1-2 years (depending on the job market) and don't expect to make more than sofa change doing that. Once you get on at a regional first year first officer pay can range anywhere between 16k and 22k for the first year. After the first year pay goes up considerably. Not a lot mind you, but it's a lot better than first year pay. Would you be in easy danger of easy layoffs? hell yes. There are two kinds of pilots, those that are furloughed and those that will be furloughed.Is it smart to work for a certification as a commercial pilot?A well paying career? Look else where then. Don't expect to make more than 15k for the first 5-10 years.