Beginning pilot
03-05-2019, 10:15 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2007
Position: 73N
Posts: 859
Originally Posted by 04stangman
Good question..... But this is all her. I've coached, supported and mentored her, she was going to be a doctor however she didn't like the school, residency and so on. Her Grandpa was a mechanic for United for 30 years who also had his own tail dragger he flew.
I've paid for her initial PPL, to help her ensure it's the career she wants, after that she's on her own. Im just trying to teach her the value of networking and speaking people that are in the field to gain the most adequate and up to date knowledge.
I've paid for her initial PPL, to help her ensure it's the career she wants, after that she's on her own. Im just trying to teach her the value of networking and speaking people that are in the field to gain the most adequate and up to date knowledge.
03-06-2019, 12:12 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: DAL FO
Posts: 2,142
Keep the pedal down
As a few others have alluded to, a lot of this career is timing.
She can end up with better luck (luck = preparation + opportunity) by hitting the various gates of this career as early as possible.
For example, Private at 17. Commercial at 18. Get instrument and instructor ratings along the way. Instead of going on spring break trips she should be building cross country time. Instead of taking flying lessons during college, she should be giving them to her classmates. Go to college year round, graduate early and put her best foot forward for one of the major airline pipeline programs while still keeping an ear open for other opportunities along the way (right seat gigs in college, regional airline job immediately upon graduation, etc)
Dig into the requirements for each phase of the career and always be working towards having the qualifications needed for the next step. For example, 1500 hours to fly for an airline (lower if mil or via aviation university)
If she really loves the idea of this career the satisfaction of doing the work will outweigh the suck factor (there is plenty at times).
Ultimately if she wants to be a major airline pilot the entire game is seniority. Being hired ASAP (the younger the better) is the name of the game. If she can put her nose down and crank out hours and good grades for the next 5-10 years she will be sitting in a really good spot.
Good luck to her, and make sure she knows she’s lucky to have a dad that’s helping her with funding and research - both of which are essential to getting a jump on the competition (her peers)
She can end up with better luck (luck = preparation + opportunity) by hitting the various gates of this career as early as possible.
For example, Private at 17. Commercial at 18. Get instrument and instructor ratings along the way. Instead of going on spring break trips she should be building cross country time. Instead of taking flying lessons during college, she should be giving them to her classmates. Go to college year round, graduate early and put her best foot forward for one of the major airline pipeline programs while still keeping an ear open for other opportunities along the way (right seat gigs in college, regional airline job immediately upon graduation, etc)
Dig into the requirements for each phase of the career and always be working towards having the qualifications needed for the next step. For example, 1500 hours to fly for an airline (lower if mil or via aviation university)
If she really loves the idea of this career the satisfaction of doing the work will outweigh the suck factor (there is plenty at times).
Ultimately if she wants to be a major airline pilot the entire game is seniority. Being hired ASAP (the younger the better) is the name of the game. If she can put her nose down and crank out hours and good grades for the next 5-10 years she will be sitting in a really good spot.
Good luck to her, and make sure she knows she’s lucky to have a dad that’s helping her with funding and research - both of which are essential to getting a jump on the competition (her peers)
03-06-2019, 03:46 AM
#23
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,082
Originally Posted by 04stangman
Good question..... But this is all her. I've coached, supported and mentored her, she was going to be a doctor however she didn't like the school, residency and so on. Her Grandpa was a mechanic for United for 30 years who also had his own tail dragger he flew.
I've paid for her initial PPL, to help her ensure it's the career she wants, after that she's on her own. Im just trying to teach her the value of networking and speaking people that are in the field to gain the most adequate and up to date knowledge.
I've paid for her initial PPL, to help her ensure it's the career she wants, after that she's on her own. Im just trying to teach her the value of networking and speaking people that are in the field to gain the most adequate and up to date knowledge.
Anyway here’s my take.
She’s 17 now and in order to be hired by a 121 carrier she needs an ATP for which the age requirement is 21.
That looks like a 4-year degree to me
University with an aviation department and a Major in something not specifically Aviation related.
All the ratings and instruct through college. You can hussle the hours but you can’t grow older quicker.
Out of college at 21-22 with an ATP to a Regional with flow.
Late 20-‘s right seat at a Major.
Mid 30’s Captain at a Major.
03-06-2019, 05:05 AM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2014
Posts: 218
Originally Posted by 1Bob
Ah, a guarantee. If you find a guarantee for becoming "a Captain for a major airlines" please share.
1 Good for you for understanding the difference between what you were looking for and what the recruiters were offering.
There was a girl here in SLC this fall who was eminently qualified for an academy slot. Unfortunately she went on her own and let a recruiter sign her up before she got into the academy application process.
2 Not so good for not talking to/looking into the people/programs that matter. ROTC/OCS/service academies.
I have a USNA grad in PNS right now awaiting flight school. Another selected pilot a couple months ago, graduates USNA in May.
The U has both a pretty good AFROTC program and NROTC. We won't speak of that other ROTC unit there. She could go anywhere for a 4yr degree and commision through OCS to any service branch [don't forget the Coasties] after graduation.
JMO but I think the Guard is about the best option available out there of all. Get on with the unit based at SLC International as an E while attending college. They help with the school, she gets to know the people who do the pilot selections for the squadron over 4yrs. Assuming she does well, she graduates, they send her to OCS with an offer of a pilot slot. Every Guard unit loves their homegrowns. Is it all cotton candy and unicorn farts? Nope. Are there any guarantees? Nope. Are there commitments? Yup.
If serving her country [and free pilot training while you're getting paid] is not a thing, I offer this:
Pilot Pathway Program » SkyWest Airlines
1 Good for you for understanding the difference between what you were looking for and what the recruiters were offering.
There was a girl here in SLC this fall who was eminently qualified for an academy slot. Unfortunately she went on her own and let a recruiter sign her up before she got into the academy application process.
2 Not so good for not talking to/looking into the people/programs that matter. ROTC/OCS/service academies.
I have a USNA grad in PNS right now awaiting flight school. Another selected pilot a couple months ago, graduates USNA in May.
The U has both a pretty good AFROTC program and NROTC. We won't speak of that other ROTC unit there. She could go anywhere for a 4yr degree and commision through OCS to any service branch [don't forget the Coasties] after graduation.
JMO but I think the Guard is about the best option available out there of all. Get on with the unit based at SLC International as an E while attending college. They help with the school, she gets to know the people who do the pilot selections for the squadron over 4yrs. Assuming she does well, she graduates, they send her to OCS with an offer of a pilot slot. Every Guard unit loves their homegrowns. Is it all cotton candy and unicorn farts? Nope. Are there any guarantees? Nope. Are there commitments? Yup.
If serving her country [and free pilot training while you're getting paid] is not a thing, I offer this:
Pilot Pathway Program » SkyWest Airlines
As a former Marine Corps fighter pilot, I've always thought the advice to join the military for the free flight training was terrible advice. Yes, if you make the cut, you'll get "free" flight training. You also may be asked to kill people or let people try to kill you. It's a pretty extreme solution when it's much easier to go to Utah State University.
OP - Only counsel your daughter to join the military if she wants to be in the military. If she wants to fly airplanes, there are much easier ways to do it.
03-06-2019, 08:32 AM
#27
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2018
Position: retired
Posts: 60
i knew some helicopter pilots that got on with the airlines but I never knew an airline pilot that quit and went to flying choppers as a "cooler" option.
Originally Posted by Bulldog319
03-06-2019, 02:30 PM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,458
Originally Posted by Tummy
OP - Only counsel your daughter to join the military if she wants to be in the military. If she wants to fly airplanes, there are much easier ways to do it.
03-06-2019, 07:27 PM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2006
Position: 737 FO
Posts: 2,370
Originally Posted by 04stangman
Good question..... But this is all her. I've coached, supported and mentored her, she was going to be a doctor however she didn't like the school, residency and so on. Her Grandpa was a mechanic for United for 30 years who also had his own tail dragger he flew.
I've paid for her initial PPL, to help her ensure it's the career she wants, after that she's on her own. Im just trying to teach her the value of networking and speaking people that are in the field to gain the most adequate and up to date knowledge.
I've paid for her initial PPL, to help her ensure it's the career she wants, after that she's on her own. Im just trying to teach her the value of networking and speaking people that are in the field to gain the most adequate and up to date knowledge.
