Firefighter to Airline Pilot
03-20-2017, 02:19 PM
#31
New Hire
Joined APC: Mar 2017
Position: Wannabe
Posts: 7
New guy here. Some similarities. I don't know your jurisdiction. Most states cliff vest, meaning you are vested after five years and max benefits apply at 20 years. You can quit early and still get a pension. May not be until you turn 65.
03-22-2017, 09:53 AM
#32
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 25
Correct. I could retire with 20 years on and collect a pension and go to a regional. Who knows what regional hiring would be like in 15 years from now. And more importantly, I don't see myself being a firefighter for the next 15+ years. It's a great and fun job but it's not what the media and a lot of people think. And, doing the 20-to-regional may not set me up to a CA on a wide body one day---my ultimate goal.
08-13-2017, 10:58 AM
#33
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 3
Ff/cfi/ii
Originally Posted by FullyInvolved
Howdy from Texas. A little background --- just turned 23. I was hired with a FD right out of high school where I've been working for the last 5 years. I'm looking to make the switch to become an airline pilot.
I'm in DFW where Envoy/American are at. I've been reading up on Envoy's Cadet Program and it sounds great (namely the flow to American). I've got zero flight time...these are some of the options I've thought about:
#1 - ATP Flight School - I've got about $60k in savings right now I could use towards the program. I'd still have to get a small loan (about $20k) to pay for the rest. I'd also have to quit my fire job. I like this idea because it's so fast and they have a 'guaranteed' CFI job and an agreement with Envoy for their Cadet Program. The thing that scares me about this route is the fact I'll be quitting my career job. I also worry about the quality of the instruction with it being so fast paced.
#2 - Work/School - Continue to work as a firefighter. I only work 10 days a month (24 on, 48 off) which leaves 20 completely free days I could use to get my PPL/instrument/multi-engine/commercial/CFIs. I like this because I'll still have money coming in (I make about $80k/yr now) that I can use to help pay for the expensive cost of flight training. I can pay as I go for these certs and finish with no debt. The downsides I see are it taking longer than going through ATP which leads me to some questions:
With 20 completely free days a month where I could be completely devoted to flying, how long would it realistically take to get all the above certs? Is it possible to pretty much go to flight school "full-time" on my off days and finish in about the same time as ATP Flight School's program?
How important is going to a flight school that has a relationship with a regional? There's two flight schools here that have agreements with Envoy for their Cadet Program which I'm highly interested in. But if I go to a flight school that doesn't have an agreement, is it still likely to get hired by Envoy as long as you have 1500hrs or do you have to be a more "competitive" applicant?
Being 23, should I lean towards ATP because it's so fast? I feel like I'm "behind" compared to people who are 22 and graduating with their bachelor's and licenses. I've got an associate's degree and plan on starting an online BA program immediately which I should have before I even have 1500 hours (not that Envoy requires it).
How hard is it to get accepted into Envoy's Cadet Program? Their website says to expect to upgrade to a Captain in 2 yrs and flow to American in about 6. Are these realistic numbers?
Any thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks ladies and gents.
I'm in DFW where Envoy/American are at. I've been reading up on Envoy's Cadet Program and it sounds great (namely the flow to American). I've got zero flight time...these are some of the options I've thought about:
#1 - ATP Flight School - I've got about $60k in savings right now I could use towards the program. I'd still have to get a small loan (about $20k) to pay for the rest. I'd also have to quit my fire job. I like this idea because it's so fast and they have a 'guaranteed' CFI job and an agreement with Envoy for their Cadet Program. The thing that scares me about this route is the fact I'll be quitting my career job. I also worry about the quality of the instruction with it being so fast paced.
#2 - Work/School - Continue to work as a firefighter. I only work 10 days a month (24 on, 48 off) which leaves 20 completely free days I could use to get my PPL/instrument/multi-engine/commercial/CFIs. I like this because I'll still have money coming in (I make about $80k/yr now) that I can use to help pay for the expensive cost of flight training. I can pay as I go for these certs and finish with no debt. The downsides I see are it taking longer than going through ATP which leads me to some questions:
With 20 completely free days a month where I could be completely devoted to flying, how long would it realistically take to get all the above certs? Is it possible to pretty much go to flight school "full-time" on my off days and finish in about the same time as ATP Flight School's program?
How important is going to a flight school that has a relationship with a regional? There's two flight schools here that have agreements with Envoy for their Cadet Program which I'm highly interested in. But if I go to a flight school that doesn't have an agreement, is it still likely to get hired by Envoy as long as you have 1500hrs or do you have to be a more "competitive" applicant?
Being 23, should I lean towards ATP because it's so fast? I feel like I'm "behind" compared to people who are 22 and graduating with their bachelor's and licenses. I've got an associate's degree and plan on starting an online BA program immediately which I should have before I even have 1500 hours (not that Envoy requires it).
How hard is it to get accepted into Envoy's Cadet Program? Their website says to expect to upgrade to a Captain in 2 yrs and flow to American in about 6. Are these realistic numbers?
Any thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks ladies and gents.
08-13-2017, 11:02 AM
#34
New Hire
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Posts: 3
Flight time
Originally Posted by FullyInvolved
firemedic, very similar situations. I still love my job, but I don't know if it's something I want to put another 30 years in. I'm 23 with about 5 years on. Like a lot of people, I've got the dream/end goal of being a Captain on a widebody and the 20 years in-and-out idea may not get me there.
I did an intro flight with a flight school the other day and loved it. I think I'm going to stick with my plan:
I talked to several flight schools and the time frame has ranged from 6 months - 2 years. The flight school that said 6 months was suggesting multiple lessons a day (2 each off day, approximately 40 lessons a month).
I want to find the balance of getting this done quickly so I can start building time and working towards a regional. Is the idea of taking multiple lessons a day a bad idea? It seems like going to a 'fast-track' flight school like ATP would require multiple lessons a day.
Thanks again ladies and gents.
I did an intro flight with a flight school the other day and loved it. I think I'm going to stick with my plan:
- Stay at the FD, use my salary (~$80k/yr) to help pay for zero time to CFI.
- Start on bachelor's (have two AAs currently) --- state offer free tuition waiver for firefighters.
- Take flight lessons on my 20 off days a month. Then, hopefully instruct to build time until I get on with a regional.
I talked to several flight schools and the time frame has ranged from 6 months - 2 years. The flight school that said 6 months was suggesting multiple lessons a day (2 each off day, approximately 40 lessons a month).
I want to find the balance of getting this done quickly so I can start building time and working towards a regional. Is the idea of taking multiple lessons a day a bad idea? It seems like going to a 'fast-track' flight school like ATP would require multiple lessons a day.
Thanks again ladies and gents.
08-14-2017, 11:46 AM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2017
Posts: 285
I am going to tag onto this thread. I am a career firefighter starting on my pilot stuff. I am not going to stop being a firefighter though, too much to give up.
Pilot will be second career- I retire from FD at 53 and I am 32 now.
I start my PPL in two weeks, getting my class 2 medical done right now
Pilot will be second career- I retire from FD at 53 and I am 32 now.
I start my PPL in two weeks, getting my class 2 medical done right now
11-27-2017, 11:53 AM
#37
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 58
I'm in a similar boat. I've been a cop for 14 years, and ready to go. I'm 35 and have a family. I don't want to give up policing completely, as i believe in having a fall-back option..so what I looked at doing, is becoming a reserve deputy at an SO. It still allows me to be active, and I will be able to pay my bills somewhat. Financing has been difficult..and I really don't want to go further in debt, as I already have student loans from undergrad. I was thinking of using part of my pension to pay for training..as it may not happen any other way. It's a risk though...leaving stability for a career change...
10-16-2018, 07:06 PM
#38
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Posts: 1
Sorry to necro this thread, but I wanted to throw in my experience (which I believe is quite relevant to OP's).
Basically, I worked on one of the largest FDs in the nation and made the switch to become a pilot by way of the military. If you seriously want to fly, are young, and have a degree then this will without a doubt be your best option. If you enjoy being in the military, when your first contract is over you'll do 8 more years and retire with a nice pension, healthcare for life, and be able to pass college education benefits down to your family. The pay will also be quite generous, as you'll be an officer.
At age 18 I decided I wanted to become a firefighter. From 18 to 22, I ran through the gamut of training programs. I even got my Paramedic, which I will refuse to ever let lapse just for the sheer amount of dedication it took. At 22 I was hired onto a large fire department and worked there for a few years until I ultimately got burned out (not literally) and began to look for an exit plan. I wanted to continue in a field of public service, but wanted something that could provide the same stability that an FD job would.
I actually had no interest at first in becoming a pilot, but some family convinced me it was the best job to try for given the branches I was interested in. I applied for pilot slots in two branches (yes, you can and should do that) and the timing lined up right that I was able to weigh my options. I earned my commission recently and just started pilot training.
I'll be honest, I really miss being a first-responder. It was a job I worked hard to become good at and I still have yet to experience anything as exhilarating as watching someone begin to regain neurological function from a cardiac arrest. I think it's really one of those things that never leaves you and becomes part of your soul. But it seemed like it was my time to walk away and I made the best decision in my mind at the time. If you still want to be a firefighter, then your best option is to look into getting sponsored by a National Guard or Reserve base. You will be guaranteed not just a pilot slot, but an airframe as well. You will attend Officer Candidate School to earn a commission and go through the same pilot training as Active Duty. However, you'll be able to come home once you get your wings and you'll be able to go back to your FD job while flying for your base. Eventually, you will have enough flight hours to apply for the major airlines and if you so desire, leave your firefighting job for an extremely well paying airline one.
The military route is tough, since it seems like everything is accelerated and they aren't going to be "friendly" in bringing up your shortcomings. But if you have work history on a paramilitary environment like the fire department, you might prefer it that way.
Basically, I worked on one of the largest FDs in the nation and made the switch to become a pilot by way of the military. If you seriously want to fly, are young, and have a degree then this will without a doubt be your best option. If you enjoy being in the military, when your first contract is over you'll do 8 more years and retire with a nice pension, healthcare for life, and be able to pass college education benefits down to your family. The pay will also be quite generous, as you'll be an officer.
At age 18 I decided I wanted to become a firefighter. From 18 to 22, I ran through the gamut of training programs. I even got my Paramedic, which I will refuse to ever let lapse just for the sheer amount of dedication it took. At 22 I was hired onto a large fire department and worked there for a few years until I ultimately got burned out (not literally) and began to look for an exit plan. I wanted to continue in a field of public service, but wanted something that could provide the same stability that an FD job would.
I actually had no interest at first in becoming a pilot, but some family convinced me it was the best job to try for given the branches I was interested in. I applied for pilot slots in two branches (yes, you can and should do that) and the timing lined up right that I was able to weigh my options. I earned my commission recently and just started pilot training.
I'll be honest, I really miss being a first-responder. It was a job I worked hard to become good at and I still have yet to experience anything as exhilarating as watching someone begin to regain neurological function from a cardiac arrest. I think it's really one of those things that never leaves you and becomes part of your soul. But it seemed like it was my time to walk away and I made the best decision in my mind at the time. If you still want to be a firefighter, then your best option is to look into getting sponsored by a National Guard or Reserve base. You will be guaranteed not just a pilot slot, but an airframe as well. You will attend Officer Candidate School to earn a commission and go through the same pilot training as Active Duty. However, you'll be able to come home once you get your wings and you'll be able to go back to your FD job while flying for your base. Eventually, you will have enough flight hours to apply for the major airlines and if you so desire, leave your firefighting job for an extremely well paying airline one.
The military route is tough, since it seems like everything is accelerated and they aren't going to be "friendly" in bringing up your shortcomings. But if you have work history on a paramilitary environment like the fire department, you might prefer it that way.
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