A few questions..
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Age: 34
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A few questions..
Im a high school student and going to be starting my senior year soon. Im still searchin for colleges and going to start applying in october. I live in the chicago suberbs and am not planning on going to any out of state college. I just had a few questions..
1. To be a commercial airline pilot, what kind of education do you need and how much would it cost to get training?
2. Would joining the air force help save time and money in the long run?
Any other tips would be great
1. To be a commercial airline pilot, what kind of education do you need and how much would it cost to get training?
2. Would joining the air force help save time and money in the long run?
Any other tips would be great
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Asia and further east
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HI,
It seems u r new to everything.
The cost would range from 35,000 to 50,000 US $ depending on what all u want to do, whether u want to do any specefic type rating or not.
A CPL with 250 hrs might not fetch u a decent job...may be even job less..
Definitely going into the Air Force is the best option if uwant to save money.
Dont know the situation in US. In india lot of ex-airforce work with airlines.
In India u need to have physics+chem+maths in ur 11 and 12 yrs of schooling...think US dont require that.
Hope u got the answers 4 what u asked.
Do ask ur doubts..
Regards
Kanak
It seems u r new to everything.
The cost would range from 35,000 to 50,000 US $ depending on what all u want to do, whether u want to do any specefic type rating or not.
A CPL with 250 hrs might not fetch u a decent job...may be even job less..
Definitely going into the Air Force is the best option if uwant to save money.
Dont know the situation in US. In india lot of ex-airforce work with airlines.
In India u need to have physics+chem+maths in ur 11 and 12 yrs of schooling...think US dont require that.
Hope u got the answers 4 what u asked.
Do ask ur doubts..
Regards
Kanak
Life's too short for ironing
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Scotland, & Maryland, USA
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chris
You might some useful info and contacts on here - http://www.youngeagles.org/careers/ Also, have you tried finding your local EAA chapter? Go to http://www.eaa.org/chapter/chapter_locator.html to locate the nearest one. If you go along to one of the chapter events, you will find plenty of neat people willing to give you advice and help you with looking at all the options available for a career in aviation. Remember that a career in aviation covers a huge variety of subjects - mechanic, loadmaster, cabin crew, aerospace engineer, accident investigation, air traffic control, aircraft research and design, aviation museums, to name but a few. A pilot is just one member of a vast team that gets the aeroplane in the air, and an airline pilot is just one type of pilot - there are many other pilot jobs to be had.
Also, try doing a search on the wannabees section of pprune. Basically, to get in the airlines, you need a college education/degree. If you want to join the airforce, you are probably better contacting them directly to find out what their requirements are.
Whichever route you choose - military or civilian, be prepared to work hard. If you go the military route, you don't need quite such deep pockets, you will have the opportunity for some of the most amazing flying, but you have to be prepared to give your life for it. If you go the civilian route, you have to finance everything yourself, which is not impossible, but does leave you with some pretty long term debts.
Don't be put off by that, it is better to know the facts in advance
And remember, at the end of the day, you will have yourself a career well worth working towards.
If you haven't been before, come up to Oshkosh for the airshow at the end of this month (www.airventure.org) . One day there will give you a little inkling into the variety involved in aviation - it is phenominal.
You might some useful info and contacts on here - http://www.youngeagles.org/careers/ Also, have you tried finding your local EAA chapter? Go to http://www.eaa.org/chapter/chapter_locator.html to locate the nearest one. If you go along to one of the chapter events, you will find plenty of neat people willing to give you advice and help you with looking at all the options available for a career in aviation. Remember that a career in aviation covers a huge variety of subjects - mechanic, loadmaster, cabin crew, aerospace engineer, accident investigation, air traffic control, aircraft research and design, aviation museums, to name but a few. A pilot is just one member of a vast team that gets the aeroplane in the air, and an airline pilot is just one type of pilot - there are many other pilot jobs to be had.
Also, try doing a search on the wannabees section of pprune. Basically, to get in the airlines, you need a college education/degree. If you want to join the airforce, you are probably better contacting them directly to find out what their requirements are.
Whichever route you choose - military or civilian, be prepared to work hard. If you go the military route, you don't need quite such deep pockets, you will have the opportunity for some of the most amazing flying, but you have to be prepared to give your life for it. If you go the civilian route, you have to finance everything yourself, which is not impossible, but does leave you with some pretty long term debts.
Don't be put off by that, it is better to know the facts in advance
And remember, at the end of the day, you will have yourself a career well worth working towards.If you haven't been before, come up to Oshkosh for the airshow at the end of this month (www.airventure.org) . One day there will give you a little inkling into the variety involved in aviation - it is phenominal.
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Bothell WA
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Chris728
Im a high school student and going to be starting my senior year soon. Im still searchin for colleges and going to start applying in october. I live in the chicago suberbs and am not planning on going to any out of state college. I just had a few questions..
1. To be a commercial airline pilot, what kind of education do you need and how much would it cost to get training?
2. Would joining the air force help save time and money in the long run?
1. To be a commercial airline pilot, what kind of education do you need and how much would it cost to get training?
2. Would joining the air force help save time and money in the long run?
Do a search on training and you will find many ways to become a airline pilot. I went into the Air Force after finishing college in 1981. There was a big need for pilots back then. I went to Officer Training School (OTS) then Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT). The commitment back then was 6 years after you got your wings. I ended up serving 8 years before I could get out.
Today you would have to go to the AF Academy (USAFA) or through ROTC to get to UPT. OTS is used for filling in when the USAFA and ROTC cannot supply the demand of pilot candidates. The commitment now is 10-12 years? I believe. Another way would be the AF Reserves or Guard.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Age: 34
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well i have been taking a lot of math and science classes in high school, ive been thinking about being an architect or pilot and dont know which to choose to study after high school. Should i go to a 4 year college and study architecture and take flying lessons at a small aviation school? I live close to one in schaumburg heres the website http://www.northwestaviation.com/
So would this be a good choice? Because then i would have architecture to fall back on if aviation didnt interest me. Or would this just be a waste of money from your point of view?
So would this be a good choice? Because then i would have architecture to fall back on if aviation didnt interest me. Or would this just be a waste of money from your point of view?
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Age: 61
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Chris,
I think your plan to get an architeture degree is an excelent idea, that way you would always have something to fall back on. In aviation it really doesn't matter what your degree is in, it just helps to have one.
You could start now by finding a part time job and saving your money to pay for flying lessons during your school vacations. If you start at a local flying school you can pay for the lessons as you go (about $170 or so each time) which could help lessen the financial blow a bit. You don't have to do it all at once. So you could work on a rating each summer, that way by the time you graduate college you could have your degree and perhaps your Flight Instructor Certificate in hand.
I think your plan to get an architeture degree is an excelent idea, that way you would always have something to fall back on. In aviation it really doesn't matter what your degree is in, it just helps to have one.
You could start now by finding a part time job and saving your money to pay for flying lessons during your school vacations. If you start at a local flying school you can pay for the lessons as you go (about $170 or so each time) which could help lessen the financial blow a bit. You don't have to do it all at once. So you could work on a rating each summer, that way by the time you graduate college you could have your degree and perhaps your Flight Instructor Certificate in hand.
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Los Angeles
Age: 61
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I see from your posts that you are 16. With most of the summer ahead of you I suggest you go and visit the local flight school at schaumberg and try an introductory lesson which should cost about $50 and see if you like it, if you find that you do why not try and find a summer job and try a few lessons, you might be able to at least solo before you go back to school in the fall.
Life's too short for ironing
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Scotland, & Maryland, USA
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Rather than coughing up $50 for the trial lesson, go along to the nearest Young Eagles rally and fly for free. Good luck
Weasil, how about bringing Chris to AirVenture?
Weasil, how about bringing Chris to AirVenture?
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by fernytickles
Rather than coughing up $50 for the trial lesson, go along to the nearest Young Eagles rally and fly for free. Good luck
Weasil, how about bringing Chris to AirVenture?
Weasil, how about bringing Chris to AirVenture?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: US
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Honestly...i think you should go after both. Like a prior post on this thread... have something to fall back on. Figure out which you love the most. I personally went into IT as a primary...made a ton of cash doing it...lost it...made some back..spent it all on flying schools...made it back..got sick and tired of doing IT...then became the company pilot. Do I make as much as being the CIO? Heck NO! Do I love my new job more then anything else...HECK YEA (although I have to admit when im not in the air i still end up doing IT..have to stay employed I guess).
Dont know what school in your area is going to be the best overall for you....know a few that went to Embry Riddle in AZ...one is now flying for an airline. The other ended up sick and tired of it and is now going after his phd. Military will get you to your goal but be willing to give your life for it (literally).
Best Luck!
Dont know what school in your area is going to be the best overall for you....know a few that went to Embry Riddle in AZ...one is now flying for an airline. The other ended up sick and tired of it and is now going after his phd. Military will get you to your goal but be willing to give your life for it (literally).
Best Luck!
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: US
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ive been thinking about being an architect
If you have the artistic skills and love architecture, then by all means have at it. But look before you leap and make sure that you know what you are getting into, because you'll be broke for a long time.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Age: 34
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for all the replies guys. Sorry i havent been on in a while, i lost the link to this site and had to search google again to find it
I just got a couple more questions..
1. If you do apply for an airline job anywhere, (united, american, usair, etc.) Would you have to live in the area that the airline companies are located? Like if i applied for a canadian airline would i have to live their? Because the only airlines located in my area that im aware of is united and american and their both on bankruptcy and dont seem like they would be hireing even when i do start looking for a job.
2. How many hours a month does a pilot get of flying when he does get a job? and how much time does he get off work? Is it like you fly to one place and then stay their until you get another flight back? How does all that work out?
And OFBSLF, i had no idea about all that. But since i do need a bachelors degree in anything for the commercial airline business and architecture was the other career i was thinking about would this still be a good idea to do?
I just got a couple more questions..1. If you do apply for an airline job anywhere, (united, american, usair, etc.) Would you have to live in the area that the airline companies are located? Like if i applied for a canadian airline would i have to live their? Because the only airlines located in my area that im aware of is united and american and their both on bankruptcy and dont seem like they would be hireing even when i do start looking for a job.
2. How many hours a month does a pilot get of flying when he does get a job? and how much time does he get off work? Is it like you fly to one place and then stay their until you get another flight back? How does all that work out?
And OFBSLF, i had no idea about all that. But since i do need a bachelors degree in anything for the commercial airline business and architecture was the other career i was thinking about would this still be a good idea to do?
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: US
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dont know about question two...but on your first...
From what I know (and as always i may be wrong since i fly for my company and not commercial airlines) you usually will have to travel or move to your "home" airport so to speak. Anyone else knows better?
I know that a pilot I went to high school with ended up flying commercial she ended up moving to a different area for her job. But at the same time... I flew with someone once (wish it was more) that lived in my area and flew himself to his so called "home" airport a few hundred nm away. I also remember of a self loading cargo pilot that was hired with only very minimal hours out of
.... she made more stories and mistakes then i want to dream of. Made great convo tho .
From what I know (and as always i may be wrong since i fly for my company and not commercial airlines) you usually will have to travel or move to your "home" airport so to speak. Anyone else knows better?
I know that a pilot I went to high school with ended up flying commercial she ended up moving to a different area for her job. But at the same time... I flew with someone once (wish it was more) that lived in my area and flew himself to his so called "home" airport a few hundred nm away. I also remember of a self loading cargo pilot that was hired with only very minimal hours out of
.... she made more stories and mistakes then i want to dream of. Made great convo tho .
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually Chris there are several airlines based out of ORD and MDW who are hiring. (whether they will be when you get done with college may change).
These include Mesa, Skywest, Republic and GoJets (all of whom fly for United as United Express). American Eagle (flies regional jets for American Airlines and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company). Southwest Airlines has a crew base in Midway. Skyway airlines out of Milwaukee is a good option also for a beginning regional pilot job. You don't go from college to a major airline like United or American. You first have to get years of experience flying cargo, or flight instructing and then work for a regional airline. You would usually need several thousand hours of flight time before getting an interview with a major airline. And by the time you have that kind of experience American/United will be different companies than they are today. United is currently recalling it's furloughed pilots and I've seen projections that they will be hiring off the street in the next year or so. They may be hiring again, or may have merged with other airlines... who knows.
As an airline pilot you do NOT need to live in the base where your company puts you. A lot of pilots commute (including myself until recently - I'm now based at ORD). Commuting means travelling to/from work on your own time by either driving several hours to your base or jumpseating to work. For example I used to be based in Charlotte NC. If I had a 4 day trip starting on a monday at 6am then I would need to catch a flight to Charlotte sometime on Sunday and then buy a hotel room for the night. Commuters try to bid for trips that are "commutable" meaning the schedule allows you to travel to/from work without buying a hotel. Clearly living in base is preferable.
Commuting is a significant factor when you are talking about time off also. You spend a lot of your off time waiting around in airports trying to get on flights home etc...
As far as time off goes though, it depends on which company you work for and how senior you are. Mesa gives it's junior pilots a minimum of 8 days off each 28 day schedule period. Other companies give much more time off as a minimum. My last company maxed out at 14 days off/mth for the most senior guys. My current company has schedules which have anywhere from 12 days off for the junior guys to 21 days off a month for the really senior guys. You get paid a minimum monthly pay guarantee of usually around 75hrs/mth whether you fly or not. If you fly more than that you can make extra pay. There are also other ways to make extra pay like picking up "open time" on a day off - flights that the company has not got covered.
As for school - you do not need a degree in aviation - and most regional airlines don't require you to have a degree at all but having one will help make you competitive when it comes to getting a job. There are other ways to go though. There was a First Officer hired at my company last month who has only been a pilot for 9 months! 9 months! Wow. She went to a full-time flight school in Florida where she got all her ratings in 4 months or so. Then she went to a bridge program where she paid to do training in a Canadair Regional Jet, and this enabled her to get an interview with the regional airline of her choice even though she had less than 600 hours flight time. Now she is working on her degree while working as a pilot and building seniority. This path shaved years off getting to a regional. Not for everyone, but there are definitely other options than going to college for 4 years first. http://www.atpflightschool.com/ was the place she went I believe. I have worked in a 121 training department and they love to hire people who did these bridge programs because they usually do well in training.
Well I hope i've had some useful info for you.
These include Mesa, Skywest, Republic and GoJets (all of whom fly for United as United Express). American Eagle (flies regional jets for American Airlines and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company). Southwest Airlines has a crew base in Midway. Skyway airlines out of Milwaukee is a good option also for a beginning regional pilot job. You don't go from college to a major airline like United or American. You first have to get years of experience flying cargo, or flight instructing and then work for a regional airline. You would usually need several thousand hours of flight time before getting an interview with a major airline. And by the time you have that kind of experience American/United will be different companies than they are today. United is currently recalling it's furloughed pilots and I've seen projections that they will be hiring off the street in the next year or so. They may be hiring again, or may have merged with other airlines... who knows.
As an airline pilot you do NOT need to live in the base where your company puts you. A lot of pilots commute (including myself until recently - I'm now based at ORD). Commuting means travelling to/from work on your own time by either driving several hours to your base or jumpseating to work. For example I used to be based in Charlotte NC. If I had a 4 day trip starting on a monday at 6am then I would need to catch a flight to Charlotte sometime on Sunday and then buy a hotel room for the night. Commuters try to bid for trips that are "commutable" meaning the schedule allows you to travel to/from work without buying a hotel. Clearly living in base is preferable.
Commuting is a significant factor when you are talking about time off also. You spend a lot of your off time waiting around in airports trying to get on flights home etc...
As far as time off goes though, it depends on which company you work for and how senior you are. Mesa gives it's junior pilots a minimum of 8 days off each 28 day schedule period. Other companies give much more time off as a minimum. My last company maxed out at 14 days off/mth for the most senior guys. My current company has schedules which have anywhere from 12 days off for the junior guys to 21 days off a month for the really senior guys. You get paid a minimum monthly pay guarantee of usually around 75hrs/mth whether you fly or not. If you fly more than that you can make extra pay. There are also other ways to make extra pay like picking up "open time" on a day off - flights that the company has not got covered.
As for school - you do not need a degree in aviation - and most regional airlines don't require you to have a degree at all but having one will help make you competitive when it comes to getting a job. There are other ways to go though. There was a First Officer hired at my company last month who has only been a pilot for 9 months! 9 months! Wow. She went to a full-time flight school in Florida where she got all her ratings in 4 months or so. Then she went to a bridge program where she paid to do training in a Canadair Regional Jet, and this enabled her to get an interview with the regional airline of her choice even though she had less than 600 hours flight time. Now she is working on her degree while working as a pilot and building seniority. This path shaved years off getting to a regional. Not for everyone, but there are definitely other options than going to college for 4 years first. http://www.atpflightschool.com/ was the place she went I believe. I have worked in a 121 training department and they love to hire people who did these bridge programs because they usually do well in training.
Well I hope i've had some useful info for you.
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Ormond Beach
Age: 49
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Chris728
1. If you do apply for an airline job anywhere, (united, american, usair, etc.) Would you have to live in the area that the airline companies are located? Like if i applied for a canadian airline would i have to live their? Because the only airlines located in my area that im aware of is united and american and their both on bankruptcy and dont seem like they would be hireing even when i do start looking for a job.
I don't know about Air Canada etc basing policy, but I do know that they require at least a Canadian Landed Immigrant status to work for them.
Some international carriers, such as Cathay Pacific, have numerous US bases, including ORD, so you may be able to stay home in that case also.
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by flyboyike
I just got hired by a regional carrier that has a base here in MSP where I live and that was a big part of why I wanted to get on with them.
.
.
Moderator
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 802
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What's going on over there with the NWA Bankruptcy. I haven't been following it very much. Is Pinnacle doing okay?
(PS: I know I should censor myself for Thread Drift but I figure this info is useful to the original poster's question.)
(PS: I know I should censor myself for Thread Drift but I figure this info is useful to the original poster's question.)