Graduating COLLEGEEEEEE!!!! Fly Time :]
#22
Those people hired before you that are younger will be getting the schedules you want before you for the rest of your career.
#23
This pretty much sums up my entire thought process... thank you rcfd13. However, like I said I am still going through the options I have available to me. I just really want to hit the road running in my CAREER which doesn't mean I won't enjoy my life outside of flying. I have a college degree and essentially instead of going for my masters or MD I am going flying :] so why not hit it hard because I was going to do that on another pathway, why not aviation... This is what I've waited for since I was a little boy and my dad flew me around in his antique BC-12D Taylorcraft
I am trying to stay somewhere realistic about my thought process... I REALLY want to get hired onto a regional by 25 (I'll be 23 in Nov.) and then I would like to be at a Major Airline by 35... Is this somewhere realistic?
I am trying to stay somewhere realistic about my thought process... I REALLY want to get hired onto a regional by 25 (I'll be 23 in Nov.) and then I would like to be at a Major Airline by 35... Is this somewhere realistic?
#24
The military is going to give you the best options for the future. Military pilots are highly regarded, and it will be the best way to differentiate yourself from a herd of ERAU graduates. It will also provide you the best compensation, additional career options, and a great source of contacts (especially if you go guard/reserves).
There's also no guarantee that this current hiring trend continues for the foreseeable future (although I'd guess it will last for the next several years...or until something puts it to a halt). It stinks to say it, but there's quite a few challenges between a 100 hour private pilot and a 1500 hour ATP, and it's going to take you a little while to get the time. I'd never recommend that a person put $100k into ratings at a pilot factory just to get a $20k/year pilot job, it's just a bad decision.
Same time, you're behind in terms of hours vs your competition (i.e. soon to be college graduates of aviation programs who are likely in the 250-500 hour range). Seniority is everything in this game (as others have said) but the only number you care about is the major airlines, and not the regional where you'll likely be for a couple years at minimum, and likely four or five. Considering this, I'd rather put my efforts towards something I know will matter (the military flying option) vs something with zero guarantee (Major carriers picking up every regional FO they can find).
If you're able to nab a guard spot, do a couple years active duty, apply to whoever is hiring as soon as you meet minimums (major and regional) if you're pulled to a regional, you'll have another source of income you can pursue, which is an immediate benefit. It'll show that you've got what it takes for 121 flying, plus you'll have your military background and options for a rewarding and lucrative career.
Example:
I (and many others) went to a regional airline after college. Flew in the right seat for a bit, upgraded into the left seat for a bit, and was downgraded back to the right seat.
A good friend who was in class with me went through the same scenario. When he was downgraded he went active duty with his guard unit, delivering a paycheck considerably better than regional FO wages. When hiring opened, this friend put his stuff in Airtran and was scooped up (Mil+Civ+121 PIC time = hired).
Myself (and most others) suffered through regional FO wages again for as long as we could...some upgraded again after 5 years in the right seat, plenty packed up for other career options.
Also - don't think this is coming from an ex-mil guy. The screen name is just a screen name...I'm a civilian pilot.
There's also no guarantee that this current hiring trend continues for the foreseeable future (although I'd guess it will last for the next several years...or until something puts it to a halt). It stinks to say it, but there's quite a few challenges between a 100 hour private pilot and a 1500 hour ATP, and it's going to take you a little while to get the time. I'd never recommend that a person put $100k into ratings at a pilot factory just to get a $20k/year pilot job, it's just a bad decision.
Same time, you're behind in terms of hours vs your competition (i.e. soon to be college graduates of aviation programs who are likely in the 250-500 hour range). Seniority is everything in this game (as others have said) but the only number you care about is the major airlines, and not the regional where you'll likely be for a couple years at minimum, and likely four or five. Considering this, I'd rather put my efforts towards something I know will matter (the military flying option) vs something with zero guarantee (Major carriers picking up every regional FO they can find).
If you're able to nab a guard spot, do a couple years active duty, apply to whoever is hiring as soon as you meet minimums (major and regional) if you're pulled to a regional, you'll have another source of income you can pursue, which is an immediate benefit. It'll show that you've got what it takes for 121 flying, plus you'll have your military background and options for a rewarding and lucrative career.
Example:
I (and many others) went to a regional airline after college. Flew in the right seat for a bit, upgraded into the left seat for a bit, and was downgraded back to the right seat.
A good friend who was in class with me went through the same scenario. When he was downgraded he went active duty with his guard unit, delivering a paycheck considerably better than regional FO wages. When hiring opened, this friend put his stuff in Airtran and was scooped up (Mil+Civ+121 PIC time = hired).
Myself (and most others) suffered through regional FO wages again for as long as we could...some upgraded again after 5 years in the right seat, plenty packed up for other career options.
Also - don't think this is coming from an ex-mil guy. The screen name is just a screen name...I'm a civilian pilot.
#25
Graduating COLLEGEEEEEE!!!! Fly Time :]
Thanks a lot for all the input, I know nothing in aviation and life in general is easy or a guarantee. I believe I am going to look into the ANG and see if I can get at least an interview etc after I take my AFOQT and TBAS. I know I will be waiting a while before I can go to UPT though and with that being said I will probably move towards getting at least an instrument rating in the meantime to keep up my flying... I'm thinking if I don't get a pilot slot now, this would help me get one potentially somewhere else a year down the road??... At any rate the time will be going toward 1500hrs etc etc etc..
#26
AN UPDATE :] Its official, I'm graduating May 9th from East Carolina University and I will be going home for two months and getting a few hours of dual, then twenty hours of cross country time to satisfy entrance requirements for the ATP 90-Day Program... I'm so excited to be on my way to a CAREER PILOT as if being a PILOT wasn't cool enough already
#27
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 5
Good choice! I was an active duty marine my self. I'm currently attending college and going through ATP for my pilot ratings. they are a top notch school and they operate somewhat like an airline as far as maintenance and moving aircraft around.
#28
Thats awesome Logan! I'm super excited to get back into the air on a regular basis and not have to stop this time! I already dusted off my old private pilot study books and have been reading a few passages between studying Organic Chemistry haha.....
#29
If money isn't a huge issue, then invest in the stock market and go get a job in your field of study. Avoid aviation as a career as it will kill the passion that you seem to currently have. Good luck!
#30
I've said this before in other forums about aspiring pilot professionals.. If they are PURSUING their own interests then don't be negative towards the outlook on what they are doing. Although, I do understand and respect your opinion its just not what I'm looking for.. I'm going flying :]
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
captain_drew
Flight Schools and Training
38
12-05-2012 08:29 AM
MrBigAir
Aviation Law
21
11-06-2008 08:00 AM