Originally Posted by
Valiant
Hi currently a truck driver have thought about long and hard for months. And it seems being a pilot is the only thing that pops into my mind. Would love to be cargo pilot. Don't like dealing in hospitality/customer service but wouldn't mind it if I really had to do it.
Contemplating 3 pathways to my goal
1)Get PPL, Instrument, Commercial at local flight school and then look for a Cessna 172 land survey or Caravan gigs for building time.
2)Get PPL, go to ATP and then to regionals
3)Go to a proper university and do the whole shabang in one go.
Which one would be best??
What are hiring mins for regionals??
What are hiring mins and total time requirements for majors?? Is there a difference between these two factors??
Do turbines/jets give u a better shot at majors as compared to turbo props like ATR or Saabs???
What are salaries like at the regionals??
I want this to be a serious thread for guidance not for useless banter.
Thanks
Personally, I went to a community college and did my training that way. Went from 0-hero in about 22 months and finished with my AS degree. Transferred to a 4 year university all while keep the total all in cost at about $60k. Still cheaper than ATP.
They will finish you off about a year earlier. That reason is enough for some guys to cash out an additional $30k. Just depends where you are in life and what you prioritize. Personally, the college route helped me secure student loans so it worked out for me.
Regionals are hiring with 1500 hours total time (TT) with multiple sub hour requirement that falls under the 1500 hours.
Getting on at a major require at least 1000 121 SIC time (airline FO). To be competitive, you’ll need around 5000 TT - at least 1500 hours of 121 PIC time (airline CA) with a bachelors degree.
As far as jets go, it doesn’t really help unless it’s tome spent at the airlines. That’ll make you more competitive for the companies like Atlas Air/Southern Air (cargo companies), Spirit, and JetBlue. ATR and jets done really matter much anymore. Not in this hiring environment.
Regional airline salaries range anywhere from around $40k/year-$55k-ish/yr. That’s not including bonuses that added on top of that pay. I’m sure you’ll get more replies soon enough.
Hope this help!