Originally Posted by
captande
Get your ATP at 21, upgrade at 23.
Or go into the military at 18, get a pilot slot, go right into delta at 26 or whatever the shortest contract you can hold. (Wasn’t a military guy so I don’t know how feasible this would actually be)
Degree is mandatory for commissioned officers. Masters essentially mandatory for career progression.
So commission at age 21 is about the earliest practical, and that's if you're exceptional.
2 years flights school (maybe a bit less if lucky).
Then your commitment starts: 10 years.
So early 30's is the earliest for majors, unless you do reserve/guard. In the later case if you do mil and regionals in parallel, you could reasonably get on with a major by late 20's.
Lot of good things a about mil (if you're so inclined), but if you're aggressive and have the aptitude you can actually get there faster as a civilian in today's climate. Mil is more of a sure thing, as far as the top-tier majors.