Career change to pilot
09-06-2018, 06:55 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2018
Posts: 1
Career change to pilot
Forgive me if I’m off topic at all. I’m currently 33, 10 years out of college living in NYC. My career is pretty much in a dead end - I have no savings, been looking for almost 1.5 years for a new job and about to give up if I don’t get one of these 2 offers. Anyways I’ve been contemplating moving to a career as an airline pilot. Hope I’m not too late. It’s a childhood dream. The real struggle is “how” and how quickly so I can start making money and starting my career. I’d have to finance school and/or move and somehow afford rent and food while trying to fast track my training to work full time. I’ve noticed that ATP in Long Island could be a good option vs Lift in Indiana. (Close to Ohio as well). I don’t mind the cost - I appreciate a structured plan and proper training as well as “guaranteed” job placement. If I could have my pick I’d love to work for United or Any of their carriers. I think to start off their regionals are mostly Expressjet. Anyways I’m confused on the best route to this goal. I’m reading some of the threads here and see mixed thoughts and opinions. Seems as if there are many options to get to this goal? Also is training done all on planes or some sims? How does one go from training on prop planes to flying Embraer jets with passengers so quickly? Sorry if silly questions or if there’s a better place to read/get some reasesrch on it.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
Last edited by Buckeye85; 09-06-2018 at 07:07 PM.
09-06-2018, 09:26 PM
#2
New Hire
Joined APC: Sep 2018
Posts: 1
Originally Posted by Buckeye85
Forgive me if I’m off topic at all. I’m currently 33, 10 years out of college living in NYC. My career is pretty much in a dead end - I have no savings, been looking for almost 1.5 years for a new job and about to give up if I don’t get one of these 2 offers. Anyways I’ve been contemplating moving to a career as an airline pilot. Hope I’m not too late. It’s a childhood dream. The real struggle is “how” and how quickly so I can start making money and starting my career. I’d have to finance school and/or move and somehow afford rent and food while trying to fast track my training to work full time. I’ve noticed that ATP in Long Island could be a good option vs Lift in Indiana. (Close to Ohio as well). I don’t mind the cost - I appreciate a structured plan and proper training as well as “guaranteed” job placement. If I could have my pick I’d love to work for United or Any of their carriers. I think to start off their regionals are mostly Expressjet. Anyways I’m confused on the best route to this goal. I’m reading some of the threads here and see mixed thoughts and opinions. Seems as if there are many options to get to this goal? Also is training done all on planes or some sims? How does one go from training on prop planes to flying Embraer jets with passengers so quickly? Sorry if silly questions or if there’s a better place to read/get some reasesrch on it.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
09-11-2018, 10:38 PM
#3
New Hire
Joined APC: Jul 2018
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by Buckeye85
Forgive me if I’m off topic at all. I’m currently 33, 10 years out of college living in NYC. My career is pretty much in a dead end - I have no savings, been looking for almost 1.5 years for a new job and about to give up if I don’t get one of these 2 offers. Anyways I’ve been contemplating moving to a career as an airline pilot. Hope I’m not too late. It’s a childhood dream. The real struggle is “how” and how quickly so I can start making money and starting my career. I’d have to finance school and/or move and somehow afford rent and food while trying to fast track my training to work full time. I’ve noticed that ATP in Long Island could be a good option vs Lift in Indiana. (Close to Ohio as well). I don’t mind the cost - I appreciate a structured plan and proper training as well as “guaranteed” job placement. If I could have my pick I’d love to work for United or Any of their carriers. I think to start off their regionals are mostly Expressjet. Anyways I’m confused on the best route to this goal. I’m reading some of the threads here and see mixed thoughts and opinions. Seems as if there are many options to get to this goal? Also is training done all on planes or some sims? How does one go from training on prop planes to flying Embraer jets with passengers so quickly? Sorry if silly questions or if there’s a better place to read/get some reasesrch on it.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
09-11-2018, 11:54 PM
#4
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 88
Originally Posted by Buckeye85
Forgive me if I’m off topic at all. I’m currently 33, 10 years out of college living in NYC. My career is pretty much in a dead end - I have no savings, been looking for almost 1.5 years for a new job and about to give up if I don’t get one of these 2 offers. Anyways I’ve been contemplating moving to a career as an airline pilot. Hope I’m not too late. It’s a childhood dream. The real struggle is “how” and how quickly so I can start making money and starting my career. I’d have to finance school and/or move and somehow afford rent and food while trying to fast track my training to work full time. I’ve noticed that ATP in Long Island could be a good option vs Lift in Indiana. (Close to Ohio as well). I don’t mind the cost - I appreciate a structured plan and proper training as well as “guaranteed” job placement. If I could have my pick I’d love to work for United or Any of their carriers. I think to start off their regionals are mostly Expressjet. Anyways I’m confused on the best route to this goal. I’m reading some of the threads here and see mixed thoughts and opinions. Seems as if there are many options to get to this goal? Also is training done all on planes or some sims? How does one go from training on prop planes to flying Embraer jets with passengers so quickly? Sorry if silly questions or if there’s a better place to read/get some reasesrch on it.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
I’d love more insight on actual lifestyle as well once a pilot starts working, max hours allowed, and routes/cities, etc and how that works. I’d love split my time between Ohio where I grew up and NYC where I’ve been the last 10 years. I figure NYC would be a good place for a pilot to work out of based on air traffic - but an airline can just give you whatever they chose for you?
If only I had a mentor - already a seasoned pilot I could discuss this with would probably be very helpful as well.
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
ATP is 10-12 months of training, mostly in single engine small planes usually ending with around 250 hours, and from there you'll be hired to teach all the way up to 1,500 hours at which point you'll apply and hopefully get hired by a regional airline. They will train you in a sim to fly passenger jets as a first officer. After a certain amount of hours and barring seniority you'll upgrade to captain, whilst this is going on you are continually applying at major carriers in the hopes of landing and interview and thus a job. I'm also starting out, but I've picked up the gist of it reading these forums as well.
I think the location of your base is determined by the airline, but with some research you should be able to land somewhere you like by reading the forum and seeking an airline with junior bases in locations you prefer. NYC seems to go very junior, often, but there are better people than me to expound on that.
If you don't have one, a college degree will help you out at least for now. If you go to ATP they'll require your full commitment, they don't like you to have a second job while going through their course. If you don't mind burying yourself in debt, and if you qualify, they'll lend you money to barely survive and tack it up on your loan.
It's a rough start, this pilot career, but I think it beats slaving away at some office.
granted I'm a noob as well... 
09-12-2018, 09:13 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 2,297
Originally Posted by Buckeye85
....
I am broke and unemployed now, single with no family, can’t find a good job in my real estate career, so I have nothing to lose.
Unfortunately, broke and unemployed is not a good starting point for this career. I’m not sure how financing works since it would be an unsecured loan. Loans aside, how will you pay for food and housing while you’re in training if you have no savings? Realize that there is no gaurentee of any job in this industry. You could fail multiple check rides, lose your medical, get arrested for a DUI...or you could do really well and still not make it to a major. The industry could turn around due to a catastrophic event, age 67 or 70 retirement would instantly freeze all progression. If that happens while you’re in training, you might not be able to get even an entry level job or CFI job.
So yes it’s possible to pursue, but make sure you go in with your eyes open to the inherent risk of a large loan.
I’m all about career changers, but your chances of success will be much greater if you start off on solid financial footing. Get a job now, even in something other than real estate, live frugally, try to improve that job and save money. Then in a few years you might be able to make the switch.
Sorry to be a downer
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