Best Way To Get To A Legacy... Quickly
 

Hi all, I’d like to say thank you in advance to any answers for this.

Right now I am a senior in high school, and I’m starting to apply to aviation schools such as Purdue, UND, Auburn, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, etc. right now, Purdue is my number one right now. They have an interesting program where when you graduate you can get hired on at Frontier and fly the bus at 1000 hours, and you don’t neee to be 23. I figured that’s a pretty cool opportunity.
If I get into Purdue, and that program works out for me, would it be a good idea to use Frontier as a regional type thing for a few years, and once you meet mainline legacy requirements, apply there? Or is it best to do that at an actual regional? What would the legacies prefer? I just don’t know if airlines like American, Delta, or United would prefer you come in from a mainline carrier with a 320 type rating, or if they would prefer you come from a regional. I am just looking for the best, and quickest way to get to a legacy carrier. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Thank you,
-20LR

you should be focusing on getting good grades and passing your checkrides at whatever school you decide on. Do some volunteer work on the side.

Most importantly have fun at your age don't worry so much about flying you can do that for the next 40 years. Ask where to go when your 1 year from getting your hours as things change rapidly in the airline industry.

What he said.

But I probably wouldn't pursue a fast track program to a major unless it's the major you want to spend a career at. Legacies don't seem too interested in LCC FO's, they prefer people who upgrade quickly at a regional, build PIC, and preferably serve as a check airman or other instructor. You can do all of that at an LCC, but it will take much longer, especially trying to get into the training jobs.

“I want to be a doctor making $300k a year, but want to skip residency.”

Enjoy the ride, fly because you actually enjoy it. It’s hard to hear things like “I want to skip all this boring crappy aviation stuff and get right into a 777.” Spoiler alert, the 777 is the boring stuff.

Have fun, enhance your resume, fly to cool grass strips at dawn and grab breakfast. If you fly 1000 hours, make half of them memorable.

Thank you all for the replies. I value them a lot! I guess I’m getting too caught up in the later stuff, especially as you all mentioned, it can all change. I guess I’m just getting too caught up with getting to the legacy’s too quick.

An ANG UPT slot right after college.

GF

Winner!

(Filler)

AA Wholly Owned regional or Military tactical jet pilot with around 1600hrs TT. Both will take around 12-15 years or so from the completion of college. You could always combine the two via the ANG and drop that number to 6-8 years post college.

I would highly recommend listening to this podcast:

Aviation Careers Podcast ? A Podcast about Achieving Your Aviation Career Goals

Don’t get to far ahead of yourself, Purdue would be great, as would a Guard/Reserve flying slot.

I’d start right now with some type of ground school course if nothing else. Have backup plans for everything, cast a wide net.