Originally Posted by
Sliceback
If you can get your PPL now I’d recommend knocking it out. Knock off as many core courses as you can. I’ve recommending going the flying route first and getting your degree while at a regional airline. With some general courses knocked out, and an ATP, you can get an online from an aviation college fairly easily (60-80 credits?) while flying for a regional.
The path to the majors in the U.S. takes 8-10 years. By going to the regionals first you might knock off two years. The additional two years at the end of your career are worth over $450,000 per year and perhaps over $600,000. It takes that long from leaving the starting gate to being really competitive. The pilot supply shortage might reduce that time.
I wonder, and worry, about people that think they’ve discovered a secret way to rapidly become rich, or get into a big airliner. And if you get a flight academy slot at one of their flight schools you’re looking at years with that company or having to repay them. Why not get the experience on your own and have the freedom of choosing where, and for whom, you work vs. being stuck with one company?
Yes after talking to multiple people on this forum I'm considering focusing my attention more on getting my PPL and working my way up to each rating. I'm not sure if pursuing an Aeronautics degree will help me get closer to my ultimate goal but until I can start flight training I'll keep myself busy with taking core college credits that can be transferred towards my flight training like math and english. I know that because of the 1500 rule to fly for airlines is going to take me about 3 to 4 years with over $300,000 worth of flight hours. Flying for a regional airlines is most likely what I will be doing for the first 2 to 3 years, we'll see where the industry takes me. I wouldn't say that I expect to get rich quick flying for Xiamen in China because I'm sure by the time I'm able to get qualified to fly B-777 or A-340 their hiring requirements might change where they'll no longer have the need for foreigners to join but it is a goal that would be interesting in trying to achieve. I'm sure that if I achieve those flying experiences I'll have more options to fly for multiple airlines closer to home for over $125,000/year.