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.
That will work to build time to qualify for regionals, assuming you can get non-CFI low-time flying jobs (probably can in this market, but historically that's been a real biatch).
Originally Posted by
Valiant
2)Get PPL, go to ATP and then to regionals
Assuming you mean get CFI ratings and then teach to 1500 hours, yes that's how most do it.
Originally Posted by
Valiant
3)Go to a proper university and do the whole shabang in one go.
If you don't have a degree, that's a fast way to get it all done, especially since you can get an R-ATP and regional job at 1000 hours. But not going to be cheap...
Also possible to train, CFI, and attend a non-aviation state college in about the same time frame while saving money. That will require some hustle to get it all done as quickly.
Originally Posted by
Valiant
Which one would be best??
Depends on your age and finances. Also family obligations... hard to really hustle with kids in the picture.
Originally Posted by
Valiant
What are hiring mins for regionals??
Pretty much all are at 1475 TT / 25 ME. Can be 1000 or 1200 TT if you train at an approved aviation university.
Originally Posted by
Valiant
What are hiring mins and total time requirements for majors?? Is there a difference between these two factors??
Mins are irrelevant unless you have a family member in management or are an affirmative action ticket holder. Or have a good record flying fighters.
For a "typical" civilian, right now the best majors start seriously looking at you around 5000 TT / 2000 121 jet PIC. Your odds improve as you trend towards 10,000/7,000. After that it gets harder (too old). Those numbers will likely come down a bit over the next five years.
But it's remotely possible (VERY remote) to get hired by some legacies with a couple thousand hours as an RJ FO. Don't plan on it, but do apply as soon as you meet the mins.
Some LCC/ULCC's will hire low-time regional FO's, and lack of TPIC (or college) might even be a plus... they know you won't bail for the big boys. LCC pay is pretty decent these days.
Originally Posted by
Valiant
Do turbines/jets give u a better shot at majors as compared to turbo props like ATR or Saabs???
Yes. There were many exceptions in the past but that was when most commuter pilots flew turboprops. Today (except maybe SWA) they mostly want to see some glass jet time since there's mo shortage of RJ pilots out there. Lower training risk.
If you have some prop time in ADDITION to jet time, that's a bonus. Props are harder, but jets are faster. They want to know you can operate at jet speeds, but will appreciate prop experience. But if you have to pick one, do jets. Also single engine T-Prop time is a waste of time, unless you are under ATP mins.
Originally Posted by
Valiant
What are salaries like at the regionals??
With bonuses, start at $40K-60K. Typically upgrade in 2-4 years, that will be $60-80K. Stick around long enough and you'll get close to $150K (more for check airmen). Assuming the regional industry doesn't change much, which is not a safe bet at all.