The system is pretty different in the US compared to Europe.
As I understand from colleagues, you'll need a degree to get into the majors (unless you're a minority of some sort) and the path to the majors is a pretty tough one.
You have many options in the US. You can do corporate, regional, or bigger airlines and don't forget freight. UPS and Fedex are some of the better payers now. With regards to corporate, there's the single owner, working for a charter company or the fractionals. Netjets USA got a huge pay increase last year.
Unless you join the military, the standard route is CPL with IR (commercial license with instrument rating) and start off with instructing and/or charter work like scenic flights etc. As you get more experience, you'll take your ATPL exams and work up into more twin charter flying. (twin engine piston or turbines).
From here you can branch out into the corporate world or the regional airline world. The pay can be a bit low for a first officer in some of the regionals.
Here's where you pick up your turbine experience etc.
Most of what you read here is Euro centric however, the TSA haven't made our US colleagues particularly happy either. There's many downsides to the job but it's important to find the work that you actually enjoy (and get paid for) rather than just chase purely "size of aircraft/pay packet" jobs.
Remember the industry is cyclical and at the moment it's in a boom time. In a couple years time, it won't be. I keep an eye on various economic indicators to see where the world economy's going. It's a rough 7-10 year cycle.
As you're 14 now then you have a lot of time to plan your strategy. You can join the military (and thus focus your studies that way) and let the government pay for your training but you might have to go to war.
If the military doesn't appeal (and it's very tough to get into) then start right now. If you live near a small airport, head on out there and get to know folks.
If there's a gliding field nearby, even better. Learning to fly a glider doesn't cost much and you'll learn a lot plus make some useful contacts. Learning about working as a team member is vital. Playing sport like soccer or social things like tennis is useful too. The reputation you want to be aiming for is one of reliability, honesty, good sense of humour and a good worker/team player.
Pick up a part time job as soon as you can and start saving the $$. You'll need it.
There's no guarantee of success but that's the same of any industry, however, not too many industries ask you to fork out so much cash to get in.
If you work hard, study hard and apply yourself then you have a reasonable chance. If you've made a few contacts and are flexible in where you go in the first couple of years then that increases your chance too. Don't saddle yourself with a crippling amount of debt so you are flexible in what job you can take to start on that ladder.
Good luck.
Last edited by redsnail; 27th March 2007 at 09:39.