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some1 please explain how cadet programs work

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some1 please explain how cadet programs work

Old 02-19-2018, 02:36 PM
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Default some1 please explain how cadet programs work

hi everyone,
i am 28 years old and i got my cpl from a school in south africa in 2011. my license is now expired but i have about 225 hours(no multi engine time)
i live in US now and have a green card and i am thinking about getting a US pilot license and hopefully getting a job with the airlines. If you guys can help me with what my options are. i am willing to invest some money in my training but need some guidance as i want to go the most safer route to get a job so my money does not go to waste. i heard about airline cadet programs but i am not sure how they work so if someone can please explain the details about how these programs work and what i need.i just want to be eligible for one of these cadet programs as i have no issue with signing a contract with any company as long as i get to fly. and i also do not want to be a flight instructor because i dont think i am fit for it.
thanks for the help in advance..
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Old 02-19-2018, 03:24 PM
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There is only one true cadet program in the US (Jetblue). It is very selective and costs $100K. You can google that.

Some pipeline programs are developing, but those will all involve working as a CFI to get to 1500 hours, then a regional job, then flow to a major.

The US does not allow airline pilots with less than 1500 hours, so you either have to CFI, or work in the general aviation industry (traffic watch, charter, pipeline, etc). Actually there are a few small scheduled operators who use SIC's with less than 1500 hours. You would then need to go to a jet regional after that to build jet experience.

The most low-risk path would be to get the 1500 hours, then get hired by an AA wholly-owned regional... those have guaranteed flow to AA. Not risk-free, but once you finish training at the AA regional, you're pretty much set. That will take longer to get to a major (the flow program delays you for the convenience of AA), but at least it's guaranteed.

US aviation careers are not structured like the rest of the world, it's more like the wild west. And new-hire airline training is not six months like most other places, it's 6-8 weeks (veeery long study days, and high stress).
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Old 02-20-2018, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
There is only one true cadet program in the US (Jetblue). It is very selective and costs $100K. You can google that.

Some pipeline programs are developing, but those will all involve working as a CFI to get to 1500 hours, then a regional job, then flow to a major.

The US does not allow airline pilots with less than 1500 hours, so you either have to CFI, or work in the general aviation industry (traffic watch, charter, pipeline, etc). Actually there are a few small scheduled operators who use SIC's with less than 1500 hours. You would then need to go to a jet regional after that to build jet experience.

The most low-risk path would be to get the 1500 hours, then get hired by an AA wholly-owned regional... those have guaranteed flow to AA. Not risk-free, but once you finish training at the AA regional, you're pretty much set. That will take longer to get to a major (the flow program delays you for the convenience of AA), but at least it's guaranteed.

US aviation careers are not structured like the rest of the world, it's more like the wild west. And new-hire airline training is not six months like most other places, it's 6-8 weeks (veeery long study days, and high stress).
so basically i have to find a job in GA and get up to 1500 hour mark myself then only i can sign up for a cadet program?? are there any websites that advertise low time flying jobs? thanks for the reply btw sir i really appreciate the help.
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Old 02-20-2018, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by swaraj View Post
so basically i have to find a job in GA and get up to 1500 hour mark myself then only i can sign up for a cadet program?? are there any websites that advertise low time flying jobs? thanks for the reply btw sir i really appreciate the help.
Yep, that is basically it. I really would consider being a CFI as that is 90%+ of the jobs available for someone with less than 1,200 hours.
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Old 02-20-2018, 01:28 PM
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Originally Posted by swaraj View Post
so basically i have to find a job in GA and get up to 1500 hour mark myself then only i can sign up for a cadet program?? are there any websites that advertise low time flying jobs? thanks for the reply btw sir i really appreciate the help.
Cadet programs have varying levels of pay and benefits associated with the airline they’re tied to. Each is slightly different.

Most cadet programs look for you to be a CFI at an affiliated partner school because CFI tends to be the quickest way to get to 1500hrs. If you’re unwilling to be a CFI you’ll have to find a way to get to ATP mins on your own and apply directly to a regional.
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Old 02-20-2018, 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by swaraj View Post
so basically i have to find a job in GA and get up to 1500 hour mark myself then only i can sign up for a cadet program?? are there any websites that advertise low time flying jobs? thanks for the reply btw sir i really appreciate the help.
No, if you have 1500 hours you can get a job at a regional airline. After you upgrade to CA and have about 4-5k total hours and 2,000+ CA hours in a jet then you're potentially competitive for major airlines. If the regional is owned by AA, you can just stay there and will flow to AA mainline after 7-9 years if you want to wait that long.

There are very few cadet programs in the US, and they are brand-new so nobody really knows how well they work. They will all involve working as a CFI, because it is illegal to be an airline pilot with less than 1500 hours (unless you attended certain 4-year aviation universities, or flew in the military).
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:41 PM
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how desperate are the regionals for the pilots?? what are my chances of getting a job once i have 1500 hrs and how many multi hours do they require??

thanks alot everyone for the guidance.
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Old 02-22-2018, 08:37 AM
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Originally Posted by swaraj View Post
how desperate are the regionals for the pilots?? what are my chances of getting a job once i have 1500 hrs and how many multi hours do they require??

thanks alot everyone for the guidance.
Very desperate. If you have a clean background, 1475 total time, and 25 ME you are 100% guaranteed a regional job. You need 50 ME for the ATP, but can get the last 25 ME in the sim during training.
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