How likely is a job with an airline going to be, if I already have the license?
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How likely is a job with an airline going to be, if I already have the license?
Am hoping someone who has possibly gone through the same thing could shed some light for me; I'm at the point of needing to make a decision of how I'm going to achieve my hope of becoming a pilot for a living. I have been flying on FSX for many years, so without wishing to be arrogant, I have good knowledge of aviation and have a "passion" for it. (I'm in final two years of "school", and so am required to be making decisions about what I'm going to be doing next - further education and university - which I may well not need to go to of course etc), and I was wondering; if I pay the very high cost, that my parents are willing to fund, of getting the license and training independently from applying, and being very unlikely to succeed in doing so, for an airline's academy, how likely is a job with an airline being guaranteed at the end going to be in the event that I already have the needed qualifications as a result of attending school, as opposed to being guaranteed employment by the airline at the end of an internal training scheme? Many thanks!
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how likely is a job with an airline being guaranteed at the end going to be
Even in the airline schemes it can easily be argued that there is no guarantee. They will nearly always have clauses and sub clauses that basically say if you don't match their standard, its terminated and if they don't require any pilots afterwards its terminated.
Going it alone whether modular or integrated the answer is even more 0.
That's not to say it's impossible to get a job (it's very difficult at the minute and not LIKELY to happen very soon after training) but to want a guarantee. Nope.
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Hi. Today, chances are low. Only a few airlines recruit ab-initio's. And there are loads of people- even with experience- that would do almost anything to get into a company.
If it really is what you want to do, I strongly suggest you to check out training programs linked with a job!
Aer lingus is doing something like that at this moment,
Also Easyjet used to offer an MPL training, which is line oriented training with an A320 position at the end.
Although these programs may cost more(I think Easyjet MPL was € 100K), I am sure it is worth it as you are guaranteed a job
If it really is what you want to do, I strongly suggest you to check out training programs linked with a job!
Aer lingus is doing something like that at this moment,
Also Easyjet used to offer an MPL training, which is line oriented training with an A320 position at the end.
Although these programs may cost more(I think Easyjet MPL was € 100K), I am sure it is worth it as you are guaranteed a job
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This is what I was trying to say, even with these schemes you are never 100% guaranteed a job. It may look like it is compared to going things alone, but if someone takes out a loan (or even part loan) for sums in excess of 100k, they need to be aware that there is not a 100% guarantee because this can make all the difference.
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also - no offense mate - but speaking as a flight instructor with a few years experience, FSX and computer flight sims in general are a hindrance rather than a help. It will ultimately cost you money because it will take you a long time to unlearn all the rubbish you've learned in the sim and learn the correct visual attitudes for controlling the aircraft.
It's almost impossible for computer flight sim guys doing their PPL training to resist the temptation to constantly look inside and try to fly the aircraft on instruments, as opposed to do the right thing which is, look out the window.
Once you've got 10 hours in the actual aircraft you'll see what I mean.
It's almost impossible for computer flight sim guys doing their PPL training to resist the temptation to constantly look inside and try to fly the aircraft on instruments, as opposed to do the right thing which is, look out the window.
Once you've got 10 hours in the actual aircraft you'll see what I mean.
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I agree with you luke. Having played flight sim for over 10 years I went for my first real life flight hour a while back. The instructor spent at least half of it telling me to look outside the bloody window ! I just couldn't resist the temptation to constantly check my altitude and heading 
With regards to getting a job, nothing is guaranteed in this chaotic industry
At he moment I would say you're more than likely not to get a job. The only real hirers are ryanair, for which you need another £30k for your TR, it is still EXTREMELY competitive.
With regards to getting a job, nothing is guaranteed in this chaotic industry
At he moment I would say you're more than likely not to get a job. The only real hirers are ryanair, for which you need another £30k for your TR, it is still EXTREMELY competitive.
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I have been flying on FSX for many years, so without wishing to be arrogant, I have good knowledge of aviation and have a "passion" for it.
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also - no offense mate - but speaking as a flight instructor with a few years experience, FSX and computer flight sims in general are a hindrance rather than a help. It will ultimately cost you money because it will take you a long time to unlearn all the rubbish you've learned in the sim and learn the correct visual attitudes for controlling the aircraft.
Practicing for a PPL isn't so hard, the manoeuvres I can agree with. But navigation and learning to maintain attitude with a horizon is easily done on flight sim with the right software add ons. My instructor said I was ready to test at 35 hours of my PPL. I probably did take practicing on flight sim a bit seriously by plotting routes on a half mil chart and writing plogs. But it did wonders for my career.
I agree with above posters, I wouldn't mention FSX to an airline or flight school.
Last edited by pudoc; 5th Oct 2014 at 20:45.
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Suggest you adopt a Plan A and Plan B scenario, attending University or obtaining a vocational qualification outside of aviation would be a good idea, to cover your arse.
Like all others have said, ultimately no flying school can guarantee you a position as an SO/FO in an airline. It is however dependant on a number of factors, suitability for the role, maturity, availability, determination and perhaps also most recently, timing.
Good luck.
Like all others have said, ultimately no flying school can guarantee you a position as an SO/FO in an airline. It is however dependant on a number of factors, suitability for the role, maturity, availability, determination and perhaps also most recently, timing.
Good luck.
