Hello all. I just wanted to ask a quick question before I retire for the evening. I'm currently very interested in careers in the airlines. I ultimately want to end up in the flight deck, but I was wondering if becoming a flight attendant would be beneficial? I've thought of some pros and cons in my head. I was just wondering if anyone could validate these lists and/or add to it and/or add their opinion? Please and thank you; it is very much appreciated!

Pros:
1. I will get to fly for a living while I train to... well... fly for a living.
2. I will get to experience flying the line before I invest a LOT of money to become qualified to ride in the flight deck.
3. I will get to build connections with the flight crews.
4. I have a friend who works for Air Wisconsin (one of the two airlines I'm thinking about applying at) as a crew scheduler who told me he will try to hook me up with the recruiter.
5. I'll have even more experience (in addition to my year of ramp experience) for when it comes time to drop my pilot packet.
6. I will be making more than twice what I make right now.

Cons:
1. I'm not always, but I can tend to be socially awkward and/or shy. However I do get more comfortable as time goes on
2. I'm only 19 and there are only two airlines who hire people my age. One is Air Wis and the other is Compass.
3. Admittedly, I am still living with my parents in Wisconsin, and I would have to relocate (by myself) out to the east coast for Air Wis or to MSP for Compass. I'm ready to move out, but it would be a lifestyle change. Especially moving so far away.
4. I am in the Army National Guard, so I would need to have time in order to get back to my unit and then to do drill
5. I would (personally) fly to train and build my hours during my days off
6. I don't know about Compass, but Air Wis has an UNPAID three week training course, and I'm worried about surviving during that time with no income.

 

Recommendations:

1. Make as many connections as you can. However you can. There is no one path to the airlines.
2. Get in ASAP.

 

If you F/A at your "target" company, for example SWA, AND meet the minimal minimums, internal employees have "first shot" at interviews I believe, assuming you minimally meet the minimums. Working as an "insider" may give you access to Chief Pilot's office, etc etc that one may otherwise not have. Remember, maintaining currency is important. May be hard as a rookie F/A as you fly all everyone else's holidays and unwanted legs.

If the above scenario is what you were thinking, it could work out, but if you are targeting "any legacy" then I would not become an FA.

Actually, I would work in flight dispatch at your "target" company instead of F/A

my two cents

 

While it seems like a good idea and way to get a foot in the door and taste for the airline lifestyle....be careful. If for some reason you hate it or worse yet, get fired----you will have probably blown any chance of working for that airline in another capacity in the future.

I'm a FA and love it, but it's most definitely not for everyone. That said, good luck in whatever you decide!

 

I knew several FA's who were doing flight training when I was a CFI. The flexible schedule was helpful in their training.

Get over it. Being an FA might help.

If you're going to do it, don't waste your time at a regional. Work for a major that would be a good final career destination (no regional qualifies). That way you'll have an in and hopefully some pilot recommendations when you're ready to apply to majors.


Essentially all airlines readily accommodate military reserves.


See #2

Also...at age 19, I suspect you don't have a college degree. You WILL need a 4-year degree to enjoy an airline pilot career. Maybe you should do that first. There's almost no way around that little fact.

 

You are already in the National Guard. Have you considered the military route to flying as either rotary wing in the ARNG or cross to blue and go ANG, if you meet the military flight physical requirements?

You could use the GI Bill to pay for your degree, and finish college with no debt. Be a good soldier, keep your nose clean, and you could easily find yourself with a flight slot. I would only pay for Private/Instrument out of pocket to make yourself competitive against the other candidates.

And seek opportunities for leadership positions to get over your shyness.

 

This X 1 million

You need to try every military angle you can until you exhaust it. I say this because you are so young and time is on your side here(what I'd give to be 19 and looking to get into this game).

I'm not super familiar with how the Army Warrant Officer program works starting as enlisted in the NG/reserves but you should look heavily into that if it interests you.

Start working on A degree right now if your benefits allow. A 4 year degree will make you competitive for Navy, USMC or AF OCS.

If its fixed wing you are after, you want to stay away from Army obviously and Id give the slight edge to AF vs Navy/USMC. About half of Naval Aviators fly helos, its not quite that bad on the AF side from what I understand. I come from the Navy side of things but almost died from a freak medical issue while in primary flight school and now out and completely lost.

Take the opportunity to be trained by uncle Sam if at all available to you unless you are already wealthy.

Downsides:

-You will NOT build hours like crazy in the military
-With some exceptions if you are really good and really lucky, you will NOT likely fly exactly what you want to fly
-You may never touch fixed wing
-You are an officer first and pilot second

Positives:

-PAY!!!
-BENEFITS!!!
-RESPECT!!!

^^^
Those 3 right there should be enough to make anybody with an understanding of what this industry has become a happy camper. You will be payed and valued for what you do. You will make far better money under far better conditions than slaving away at a regional. Not to mention you basically won't pay for housing, per diems on deployments, etc, etc.

-Airlines generally still value .mil hours very highly despite relatively low pay in general (IMO)
-You will see and do cool stuff and when you do fly, it will be more fun with somewhat less BS
-You will end up loving whatever you end up flying no matter what you think

The downsides do sort of suck and can be show stoppers for some who just want to fly, fly, fly. Flip side, if you want some of the best training in the world, skills that are valued in the civilian aviation world and MORE than a living wage while doing it, the military is for you. Worst case scenario you do your 7 year commitment from winging and have the GI bill behind you for anything else you want to do (or for further building of your pilot resume), a decent amount of money saved up if you have played your cards right. Veterans preference on alot of things and still flying hours that are respected and valued by many. Its a win win despite some of the downsides.

I got dropped due to a freak medical issue stemming from my wisdom teeth being extracted at flight school, almost died and required heart surgery. I'd give anything to be sitting back at Day 0 of OCS, getting screamed at by DI's or in my truck moving all my stuff to Pensacola giddy with anticipation of what was to follow. I'm a little biased/emotional on the topic but nonetheless am sure its the ONLY good way into this career.