I am 20 years old and I have 1 1/2 more years in college and I have decided that becoming a commercial pilot is what I really want to do. What advice do you guys have on how to do that? There is a local airport where I go to school and I was thinking about going down there and talking with a few of the pilots and maybe getting a job. Any advice helps. Thanks!

 

Yes, talk to some pilots. A job at small local airport would be a great way to learn about aviation and maybe do some networking.

Up front, there are some serious drawbacks to professional flying, and even more so in the airlines in the last ten years. You will need to educate yourself extensively and make a very informed decision before you commit the time and financial resources to flight training. These forums have some good info, this thread in particular:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/fl...reer-read.html

Also you need to figure out if you like flying...go take a lesson or two at the local airport. Work on a private pilot license and then go fly around some for fun. If you still like it, only then think about a career.

Oh yeah, and finish college.

 

Finish college with a degree that pays. Read the threads rickair points out.

I got a BS that is in demand and am able to fly on the side (clubs and co-ownership are the only way to go). I'm happy with the choice I made - just another perspective.

Best of luck in which ever direction you choose.

ps There aren't too many positive threads on becoming a professional pilot.

 

Do you have any of your ratings yet or are you just considering starting flight training? If you have no ratings it's definitely not a good idea to just drop everything and try to be a commercial pilot. Stay in school and hold a normal job while getting your ratings on the side. If you still want to fly for a career after you get your instrument rating then start commercial and possibly CFI training and you can consider switching jobs then.

Lots of people get through their private and/or instrument and decide they don't want to fly for a career. It's best to wait until you have the ratings before making that decision. Always give yourself options.

The biggest mistake I made in my career was not leaving myself any options. If my career as a pilot doesn't work out I'll probably be screwed. Don't do that to yourself.

 

Excellent advice!
I paid for my ratings with my engineering salary. My non-aviation degree became a great lifeline a few years later.

 

This is what I'm doing now, and highly recommend it. I have a degree in a completely different industry, and am currently working in that industry. I've worked in my current "job title" for 7 years, but am now looking at other options (may reasons why...)

I'm still working on my private license, and am planning on going for my instrument after that. I would like to become commercial, but I'm keeping my options open on either staying in my industry or changing. No matter what then, I will at least have a pilot's license so I can go flying on weekends and vacation.

Heck, if you don't go commercial, at least get your private pilots license (with instrument ratings) so you can have some fun on your time off.

I've read a lot of post on this site, and different others that recommend you get a "second degree" in another field. I recommend it. Just throwing it out there... from a student pilot's prospective who is looking to (maybe) go commercial one day.