Best Track to go into airliners

[Henning]

Why would it be a liability?

If I make an error and get called to the carpet, how I would get dealt with holding an ATP is of a different standard than as a CP which is a different standard from PP. Example being my gear up: Had I had a PP, it would have been over with at the scene, competency questions addressed and resolved with a discussion. As a CP it required a 20 minute, 3 lap 709 ride. As an ATP I would have certificate action on my record as well. Ergo the liability is a certificate action; what that is actually worth to me is questionable, but I see no reason for spending money to assume it when I don't need to. I don't gain ratings for the ego thing, I gain them when I have some use. My boss at the time paid my MES because he had a twin Otter on amphibs for the program, but it never came into use.

 

[EvilEagle]

61 year old new hire???

Do you know any of the back story on that? I was under the assumption that the airlines didn't figure they could get a payback on the training for an old person like that.

My eyes popped out of my noggin when I saw that too. I don't know anything about it but there were several guys in my new hire class that were in their 50's. Definitely different, but still older than I was expecting. I don't think the payback for training is that big of an issue - guys are seat locked for one year then a lot of people change after that anyway. The only additional cost is the 2 weeks of indoc. Not too much in the grand scheme.

 

[jordane93]

Something else to consider: if you are passionate about aviation why would you want to become an airline pilot? It seems to me that airline pilots are bus drivers who go where and when the company tells them to go. There certainly is not much "freedom of flight" in that.

Not trying to insult anyone with that comment - pilots are intelligent people with a great deal of responsibility, especially commercial pilots. It seems to me the fastest way to kill your passion for something is to make it a job.

Have you considered going to school and getting a job where you can afford to make flying a part of your life? This way you can fly where you want (mostly) and when you want. I know my dentist sure loves flying his Cirrus in between his offices.

Good luck with your choice!

I know plenty of people that have great careers in the airlines including some people on this board as well as my father. How would you feel if someone said why would anyone want to be a...."insert your profession."

 

[kayoh190]

Something else to consider: if you are passionate about aviation why would you want to become an airline pilot? It seems to me that airline pilots are bus drivers who go where and when the company tells them to go. There certainly is not much "freedom of flight" in that.

People say this all the time on this board, like it's somehow impossible to become a commercial pilot *and* still own their own airplane. I don't own yet, but I rent on a regular basis, and that scratches the itch for me to fly on my own terms. But make no mistake, even though my company tells me where to fly, I can't imagine doing anything else. There are aspects of the job that suck, just like any other job, but I wake up every morning itching to go to work. It's friggin' awesome.

Anyway, if it were to suck the passion out of me, it would have done so by now. The OP is 16. We have no idea whether he'll take to this career or not. But he's got a loooong way before he needs to even decide one way or the other. Why crap all over his dreams (and our careers) already?

 

[jordane93]

People say this all the time on this board, like it's somehow impossible to become a commercial pilot *and* still own their own airplane. I don't own yet, but I rent on a regular basis, and that scratches the itch for me to fly on my own terms. But make no mistake, even though my company tells me where to fly, I can't imagine doing anything else. There are aspects of the job that suck, just like any other job, but I wake up every morning itching to go to work. It's friggin' awesome.

Anyway, if it were to suck the passion out of me, it would have done so by now. The OP is 16. We have no idea whether he'll take to this career or not. But he's got a loooong way before he needs to even decide one way or the other. Why crap all over his dreams (and our careers) already?

And all the naysayers are not professional pilots.

 

[Fearless Tower]

And all the naysayers are not professional pilots.

Notice that too. Just like 99% of the pilots who bash 121 flying don't fly for the airlines.

 

[NJP_MAN]

And all the naysayers are not professional pilots.

I do think there is some merit to the fact that we don't get to fly where we want. I am always looking for my next career. I might not want to fly for a living and that's why I'm looking for other opportunities at all times.

 

[jordane93]

Notice that too. Just like 99% of the pilots who bash 121 flying don't fly for the airlines.

It can be said for any profession. There are people that get burnt out in every field. How would a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or engineer, etc feel if I said why would anyone want to do what you do?

 

[jordane93]

I do think there is some merit to the fact that we don't get to fly where we want. I am always looking for my next career. I might not want to fly for a living and that's why I'm looking for other opportunities at all times.

True but at least they get to fly! You have plenty of pilots that have seen the whole world. Aren't you flying to Europe soon? I'd say I'm pretty jealous.

 

[taters]

If it's in your blood the airlines are still the most fun you will have with and without your clothes on.

The naysayers will always be there and they tend to be honestly envious of the career they " could have had " etc . , not all of them but many for sure :

IME owning a Cessna ( and I have ) is not even near as fun as flying an airliner , good crew , good overnight and lots of days off about as utopian as it gets if you really love this and are willing to stick it out a little .

I wouldn't trade all the tea in China for all the time I have had off to enjoy in this industry .

 

[RobertSubnet]

Why crap all over his dreams (and our careers) already?

Easy...I am not "craping" on anyone's career just giving the OP some "food for thought." If the OP understands what it is like to be a commercial pilot (especially as it effects family time) and he still wants to go with the majors then I wish him the best of luck.

There are ways to pursue one's passion for flying that do not include a career with the majors.

 

[NJP_MAN]

True but at least they get to fly! You have plenty of pilots that have seen the whole world. Aren't you flying to Europe soon? I'd say I'm pretty jealous.

I have already been. Flying around Europe, at 490 and .9 were all my goals. I've done them all and now I need to figure out something different to stimulate me. I think flying a husky sounds fun now.

 

[jordane93]

I have already been. Flying around Europe, at 490 and .9 were all my goals. I've done them all and now I need to figure out something different to stimulate me. I think flying a husky sounds fun now.

I'll trade jobs with you if you want

 

[NJP_MAN]

I wouldn't trade all the tea in China for all the time I have had off to enjoy in this industry .

Airline pilots think they get a lot of time off. I have to work my second and final day of November tomorrow. We get too much time off.

 

[NJP_MAN]

I'll trade jobs with you if you want

I have had so many opportunities come up lately. I know you're set on the airlines and as far as that goes it's a pretty linear path. I went from flying a C172 to a C208B to a DA7X in less than a years time. That would be like delta calling after you passed you're C AMEL this week.

 

[Captain]

I have had so many opportunities come up lately. I know you're set on the airlines and as far as that goes it's a pretty linear path. I went from flying a C172 to a C208B to a DA7X in less than a years time. That would be like delta calling after you passed you're C AMEL this week.

No it wouldn't. What you described is very possible and if you're in the right seat of that Falcon it's not even that out of the ordinary. Delta calling anyone, much less having just got a Comm Multi ticket, is more like NASA calling me to fire up the shuttle program again.

 

[NJP_MAN]

No it wouldn't. What you described is very possible and if you're in the right seat of that Falcon it's not even that out of the ordinary. Delta calling anyone, much less having just got a Comm Multi ticket, is more like NASA calling me to fire up the shuttle program again.

The comparison is about getting to fly the trips and airplanes I always wanted to fly when I started considering a pilot. I have already been fortunate enough to do all the things I have wanted to. I don't want anything more as far as career progression goes. Not because I'm making Delta captain pay, but because I never wanted anything else. In that respect, I say it's the same as Jordan getting to work his dream job.

 

[JustinD]

If it's in your blood the airlines are still the most fun you will have with and without your clothes on.

The naysayers will always be there and they tend to be honestly envious of the career they " could have had " etc . , not all of them but many for sure :

IME owning a Cessna ( and I have ) is not even near as fun as flying an airliner , good crew , good overnight and lots of days off about as utopian as it gets if you really love this and are willing to stick it out a little .

I wouldn't trade all the tea in China for all the time I have had off to enjoy in this industry .

Hit the nail on the head! They may tell you where to go and how to fly their plane, but isn't every job (unless you own your own buisness) doing something by set guidelines. I can honestly say if I worked a normal job id be miserable. Sure there are nay-Sayers out there, and maybe I'm the minority. But I love it. It's the easiest, and most fun thing I could imagine doing for a living, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love flying my Cessna, but flying in the airline fulfills a different spot for me that all the recreational flying in my 182 could never fill

 

[PPC1052]

I know plenty of people that have great careers in the airlines including some people on this board as well as my father. How would you feel if someone said why would anyone want to be a...."insert your profession."

I would totally ****ing understand!

 

[flyinhood]

You're in a good position. Get your private training done now. Do your checkride when you turn 17. Get a job doing anything at the airport to help fund your flying and make connections. Start on your instrument training. Finish high school. Attend a community college for two years while getting your instrument, commercial and CFI as cheaply as possible....flying club, airport connections. Fly a lot. Instruct. Tow banners. Fly skydivers.

Finish college at four year with a degree in something you wouldn't mind doing if fate keeps you from flying. Fly a lot.

Fly some more. Get 1,500 hours doing whatever and apply at a regional.

I am a Business Jet Captain. My wife is a First Officer for a Legacy Airline. This is really good advice. I did exactly this and it helped get me where I am today.

http://iflyblog.com/about/who-is-matt/

One website I would absolutely recommend to anyone considering a career as an airline pilot is:

http://thetruthabouttheprofession.weebly.com/

Read it through at least once. And enjoy the ride!

 

[jonnyjetprop]

I started flight training a couple months ago out of KCRQ and I am really passionate about aviation and I am looking for guidance on the best way and cheapest way to become an airline pilot while still getting a college degree. Embry Riddle? Local Flight Schools? Thanks

To be an airline pilot, you'll need 1500 hours and an ATP. Today, as others have stated, some regional airlines are willing to pay for you to get an ATP. Will they do this tomorrow? I don't know and neither does anyone else.

Realistically, you'll need a Bachelors degree in something. You can get hired at a regional without one, but good luck getting into a legacy carrier. I know as I have lived this and I'm currently taking classes from Embry-Riddle Worldwide to make up for it.

The cheapest way to get a college degree is to go to a community college for two years and then transfer to a Cal State college (You're living in California). Living at home is a bonus. Now, I'm not going to say anything about ERAU. Despite what has been said, I have been happy with my experiences at Worldwide (online classes) and its a different program from the on campus program. Clearly, you can see that people have strong feelings about it. I know several grads that even years after, still think it was worth the cost of going. Having visited Grand Forks, I believe that UND grads clearly are missing something. The Red Pepper wasn't that good. Enough with the school rivalry.

Do you need an aviation degree? No. Does this mean you shouldn't pursue one? No. If an aviation degree will keep you motivated to finish school, I'm all for it. My view on backup degrees is far different than mainstream. I believe that few will ever really use their backup degree unless they actively work in the field on the side or they plan on brushing up on their skill set prior to using it. The only real backup is a financial plan that saves for the possibility of an interruption of your aviation income. Having lived through having your career airline go bye bye, it was the guys that didn't have a financial plan that got hurt the most.

 

[AuntPeggy]

I started flight training a couple months ago out of KCRQ and I am really passionate about aviation and I am looking for guidance on the best way and cheapest way to become an airline pilot while still getting a college degree. Embry Riddle? Local Flight Schools? Thanks

Don't do drugs. Don't drink. Don't get any DUIs. Don't get prescribed any anti-depressants. Don't get prescribed any ADHD drugs.

Get these books (online is ok) and study them at home until you know them inside and out.

• FAA-H-8083-3, Airplane Flying Handbook
• FAR/AIM (current year)
• FAA-H-8083-25, Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• FAA-S-8081-14, Private Pilot Practical Test Standards (Airplane)

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/

If Mom and Dad can afford it, get as much training nearby as possible. Get glider training. That includes going to the FBO and finding the smartest CFI. It also includes going to the local Community College for the first 2 years, then a local State college to finish your 4 year degree. It might also mean buying a beat up old plane that you can use to build hours in - after you solo. I'd rather see you spend $10,000 buying a plane and $10,000 maintaining it than spend the $20,000 at an aviation university. (Just my opinion. For free. And worth every cent you paid for it.)