A future in aviation? I have some questions.
12-24-2015, 08:48 PM
#41
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: CA
Posts: 26
Honestly best thing I did was get a job at local fbo/flight school as fueler and get discounted training. Like 10% off is what my employer did. Got my business degree at same time. Worked out well. Lot of money saved.
12-24-2015, 09:26 PM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2015
Posts: 157
Go join a flying unit with the Air Force Reserve or Nat Grd. Do it right out of High school. They will pay for college. Then with the same unit, apply to be an officer and go to pilot training once you have your degree. Fly something cool for about 5 years as a full time guy and then get hired buy a major airline. From graduating HS to airlines it's about 9-10 years with no debt, a comfortable life style all while serving your country. Check it out. Talk to a military pilot though. Not a recruiter. I can't stress that enough.
12-26-2015, 08:47 AM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 320
Originally Posted by SilverandSore
Personally, I think it's one of the best careers out there. I see some that have only flown and have never had another career and it's hard for them to compare. I worked for a small company and a large corporation before becoming a pilot so I feel like I've got a different perspective. I can't imagine doing anything else so now the goal is to stay healthy and try to fly it out. Good luck!
12-26-2015, 03:53 PM
#45
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
Hi I am 16 and am interested in a career being a pilot and had a few questions regarding the profession.
1) Does the college degree you receive impact airline hiring decisions? I heard getting a degree is just proof that you can make a commitment to airlines, is this true?
1) Does the college degree you receive impact airline hiring decisions? I heard getting a degree is just proof that you can make a commitment to airlines, is this true?
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
2) Do well known aviation colleges such as Embry Riddle influences hiring decisions?
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
3) Could you go through your typical schedule on a work day? (Hours in advance you prepare, get to the airport, preflight check, and flight.)
I leave my house at 6:00pm and drive to a hotel near JFK, arriving at around 8:30pm. I'll sleep for a little bit and then be in the hotel lobby at 1:45am for a shuttle to the airport. At 2:00am myself and the captain have a briefing over the flight plan, weather, load, fuel, problems with the airport or airplane etc. This takes from 10-20 minutes. When we are both satisfied we leave and head to the airplane. We arrive at the airplane at about 2:30am, one hour until departure. Now we do all of our pre-flight duties which I won't get into, but it's lots of little things. We then get briefed by a mechanic about the airplane's condition, and the briefed by a loadmaster about what's on board and where. When everything is complete we fly to Anchorage for 7.5 hours. On arrival we fill out paperwork, brief the mechanic of any discrepancies and then head to the hotel at about 8am Anchorage time.
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
4) Layovers constantly allude me; what is a typical overnight stay like? do you have time to visit and travel around and how long is a normal layover (Overnighters and not-overnighters?) Do you pay for your housing or hotel on a layover or is that based on your airliner? Is the hotel usually descent? How would an international layover differ from a regional layover?
Yes, you often have time to visit something. It can be very rewarding and fun if you are ambitious. Many pilots are one of the following: boring, broke, not fun, tired, uninteresting in the location. That's a shame. I've had great experiences all over the world. Keep in mind however that many layovers are in pretty boring cities, or the hotels are in awful locations (e.g. near the airport with no transportation, in a business park far away from the city center.) Also, you must factor in that you just might be flat out tired from working, are very hungry, or something else.
You do not pay for hotel. The hotels vary depending on your airline. I've stayed in five star hotels in world class cities and total dives in awful places. Most are decent. Think Hampton Inn. Still, it's not 1973. You're not staying in Manhattan at the Waldorf.
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
5) Could you describe your experiences after college? How many years you had to work before you got a job as a pilot, how long it took you to become a captain, and how long it took to get hired by a legacy?
I did that job for one year, was hired by a regional, flew as a FO for six years, made captain and then moved on. I am not at a legacy, but work for a foreign cargo company, flying a 747 and making a good wage. I am pretty happy.
Your mileage WILL vary and be better, or worse. I've seen it go very bad for great people and very good for people I wish never flew an airplane.
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
6) My parents are really skeptical about me becoming a pilot and the initial investment we need to put forth for a profession that may soon die off. Has advancements in computer technology posed a risk for pilot jobs in the near future or is a transition to a fully automated cockpit a long way away?
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
7) What do you do while you are flying? Are you constantly sharp and checking your dashboard or is it ok to relax a little by listening to music?
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
8) Why did you become a pilot and what pushed you to investigate a career in aviation?
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
9) Do you regret becoming a pilot? If you were to go back in time, would you still want to become a pilot when you get older?
I'd look at a career in Air Traffic Control. I have several ATC friends, and they don't complain nearly as much as pilots. Most of them love their job.
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
10) What were some of the biggest surprises (good and bad) that you encountered as an airline pilot?
Originally Posted by Indyflyin
11) What recommendations would you give to a 16 year old to help him become a pilot if he hasn't had any experience flying a plane?
Good luck.
12-26-2015, 05:45 PM
#46
On Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Position: Bug smasher Captain
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by PotatoChip
Yes, and yes. Airlines want to see you have a degree in anything, however, some have expressed preferences for degrees in Aeronautical Science, Aviation Management or related. Airlines like degrees because it narrows the field of applicants and it usually shows an ability to excel at a higher level of education. I would suggest a degree in something you're interested in outside of aviation, or a degree that could be used within the industry, such as Business Management.
Yes. Some airlines have expressed preferences from aviation university programs such as Embry-Riddle, UND, Purdue, Auburn etc. This is not, however, an endorsement from me to attend one of these schools.
Sure. I typically fly long-haul and/or international flights. As an example, my first flight of a trip is JFK to ANC. It's a 7.5 hour flight that departs at 3:30am.
I leave my house at 6:00pm and drive to a hotel near JFK, arriving at around 8:30pm. I'll sleep for a little bit and then be in the hotel lobby at 1:45am for a shuttle to the airport. At 2:00am myself and the captain have a briefing over the flight plan, weather, load, fuel, problems with the airport or airplane etc. This takes from 10-20 minutes. When we are both satisfied we leave and head to the airplane. We arrive at the airplane at about 2:30am, one hour until departure. Now we do all of our pre-flight duties which I won't get into, but it's lots of little things. We then get briefed by a mechanic about the airplane's condition, and the briefed by a loadmaster about what's on board and where. When everything is complete we fly to Anchorage for 7.5 hours. On arrival we fill out paperwork, brief the mechanic of any discrepancies and then head to the hotel at about 8am Anchorage time.
Layovers can be from 10-100 hours. Most domestically are 12-18 hours. Internationally they are usually 16-36 hours.
Yes, you often have time to visit something. It can be very rewarding and fun if you are ambitious. Many pilots are one of the following: boring, broke, not fun, tired, uninteresting in the location. That's a shame. I've had great experiences all over the world. Keep in mind however that many layovers are in pretty boring cities, or the hotels are in awful locations (e.g. near the airport with no transportation, in a business park far away from the city center.) Also, you must factor in that you just might be flat out tired from working, are very hungry, or something else.
You do not pay for hotel. The hotels vary depending on your airline. I've stayed in five star hotels in world class cities and total dives in awful places. Most are decent. Think Hampton Inn. Still, it's not 1973. You're not staying in Manhattan at the Waldorf.
My first job after college was stocking shelves on the graveyard shift at Target. I applied to about 25 jobs around the country, willing to move anywhere. In about five months I landed a CFI job making $14/hr.
I did that job for one year, was hired by a regional, flew as a FO for six years, made captain and then moved on. I am not at a legacy, but work for a foreign cargo company, flying a 747 and making a good wage. I am pretty happy.
Your mileage WILL vary and be better, or worse. I've seen it go very bad for great people and very good for people I wish never flew an airplane.
It costs way too much money to become a pilot. However, the profession is not dying off any time soon in my opinion. There may be a move to a single pilot cockpit... but no idea when.
It is prohibited in most company's manuals to listen to music. You can certainly relax, however. Most pilot chit-chat with one another, look out the window, read the paper, do crosswords. It's important to maintain a vigilance and be ready for anything, as well as listen for air traffic control calls. You need to continue to monitor weather and changes to your environment as well.
I loved traveling and it seemed like the coolest job in the world.
Often. It can be an amazing career, but far too much of it is predicated by luck, and that is no way to ensure your family has enough food and shelter. I'm happy where I am at now, but it was interesting getting here. There were stretches of being paycheck to paycheck and running into debt while in a one bedroom apt in my 30's...
I'd look at a career in Air Traffic Control. I have several ATC friends, and they don't complain nearly as much as pilots. Most of them love their job.
How boring it is. Training is difficult and fun. The actual job is A LOT of sitting doing nothing.
Fly a plane. Talk to pilots. Get very good grades. Strive for your absolute best. Volunteer at places you have an honest interest in. Stay out of ANY trouble with police, school etc. Do not get into any trouble with alcohol. Seriously consider the military pathways, there are many, some easier to get into then others, and some that are not as popular.
Good luck.
Yes. Some airlines have expressed preferences from aviation university programs such as Embry-Riddle, UND, Purdue, Auburn etc. This is not, however, an endorsement from me to attend one of these schools.
Sure. I typically fly long-haul and/or international flights. As an example, my first flight of a trip is JFK to ANC. It's a 7.5 hour flight that departs at 3:30am.
I leave my house at 6:00pm and drive to a hotel near JFK, arriving at around 8:30pm. I'll sleep for a little bit and then be in the hotel lobby at 1:45am for a shuttle to the airport. At 2:00am myself and the captain have a briefing over the flight plan, weather, load, fuel, problems with the airport or airplane etc. This takes from 10-20 minutes. When we are both satisfied we leave and head to the airplane. We arrive at the airplane at about 2:30am, one hour until departure. Now we do all of our pre-flight duties which I won't get into, but it's lots of little things. We then get briefed by a mechanic about the airplane's condition, and the briefed by a loadmaster about what's on board and where. When everything is complete we fly to Anchorage for 7.5 hours. On arrival we fill out paperwork, brief the mechanic of any discrepancies and then head to the hotel at about 8am Anchorage time.
Layovers can be from 10-100 hours. Most domestically are 12-18 hours. Internationally they are usually 16-36 hours.
Yes, you often have time to visit something. It can be very rewarding and fun if you are ambitious. Many pilots are one of the following: boring, broke, not fun, tired, uninteresting in the location. That's a shame. I've had great experiences all over the world. Keep in mind however that many layovers are in pretty boring cities, or the hotels are in awful locations (e.g. near the airport with no transportation, in a business park far away from the city center.) Also, you must factor in that you just might be flat out tired from working, are very hungry, or something else.
You do not pay for hotel. The hotels vary depending on your airline. I've stayed in five star hotels in world class cities and total dives in awful places. Most are decent. Think Hampton Inn. Still, it's not 1973. You're not staying in Manhattan at the Waldorf.
My first job after college was stocking shelves on the graveyard shift at Target. I applied to about 25 jobs around the country, willing to move anywhere. In about five months I landed a CFI job making $14/hr.
I did that job for one year, was hired by a regional, flew as a FO for six years, made captain and then moved on. I am not at a legacy, but work for a foreign cargo company, flying a 747 and making a good wage. I am pretty happy.
Your mileage WILL vary and be better, or worse. I've seen it go very bad for great people and very good for people I wish never flew an airplane.
It costs way too much money to become a pilot. However, the profession is not dying off any time soon in my opinion. There may be a move to a single pilot cockpit... but no idea when.
It is prohibited in most company's manuals to listen to music. You can certainly relax, however. Most pilot chit-chat with one another, look out the window, read the paper, do crosswords. It's important to maintain a vigilance and be ready for anything, as well as listen for air traffic control calls. You need to continue to monitor weather and changes to your environment as well.
I loved traveling and it seemed like the coolest job in the world.
Often. It can be an amazing career, but far too much of it is predicated by luck, and that is no way to ensure your family has enough food and shelter. I'm happy where I am at now, but it was interesting getting here. There were stretches of being paycheck to paycheck and running into debt while in a one bedroom apt in my 30's...
I'd look at a career in Air Traffic Control. I have several ATC friends, and they don't complain nearly as much as pilots. Most of them love their job.
How boring it is. Training is difficult and fun. The actual job is A LOT of sitting doing nothing.
Fly a plane. Talk to pilots. Get very good grades. Strive for your absolute best. Volunteer at places you have an honest interest in. Stay out of ANY trouble with police, school etc. Do not get into any trouble with alcohol. Seriously consider the military pathways, there are many, some easier to get into then others, and some that are not as popular.
Good luck.
Listen to this. All true and full of wisdom.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
12-26-2015, 10:31 PM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Position: Retired from APC.
Posts: 507
1. On College: Follow your passion and get your degree wherever your passion leads you. If you must get one in aviation, Aeronautical science degrees are too general. Try to find a niche in aviation and major in that. What you choose and how your perform will say a lot about your character and will have an impact on your future. You don't want university as a boxed that's merely checked, you want it as a highlight on your resume. Do well.
2. Go to the best university you can get into for what you're interested in.
3. Schedules, Night cargo example: I show up in the hotel lobby at around 9pm. Van/limo to airport then a brief review of the paperwork to arrive at the aircraft 45 prior to departure. Usually have an hour to 1.5 hr flt to hub, arriving around midnight. Catch a good 2 hr nap in a sleep room and wake just over 1 hr prior to next flight. Then same thing in reverse. Usually takeoff sometime after 4 am, land before 6am and in my hotel room before 7am. Melatonin consumed and I sleep for about 6 hrs. Wake, eat, exercise, and another cat nap and I'm at it again. It's a 7on / 7 off sked that usually turns into 6 on 8 off.
5. Career progression: 3 years flight school and instructing to get on at a regional. 3 years to upgrade then a little over ten years to get on at a major (9-11, age 65, recession 2008). That included multiple assignments in the training department, hiring team, etc., as well as volunteering in my local community and perusing personal extracurriculars. So pushing 20 years for me and 10,000+ hrs. Lots of friends with similar backgrounds are still at the regionals and not by choice.
6. Training: You would be foolish not to take the military route. It's awesome training, great experience, you get to serve your country, they pay you for it all, and you are well received by recruiters when you separate. Then there are pensions, guard duty you can get into which is a great little trick to help offset first year pay/furloughs, etc. Mitigate the flight spot selection risk by being better and winning those coveted slots.
11. Research the profession as much as you can before you get into it. As said above, tons of great info on this thread for you. If you decide to pursue it, do everything the best you can. Aviation is a small community; everyone you meet will be someone who will be able to help you out, and more importantly, someone you will be able to help out down the road.
Best of luck to you young man!
2. Go to the best university you can get into for what you're interested in.
3. Schedules, Night cargo example: I show up in the hotel lobby at around 9pm. Van/limo to airport then a brief review of the paperwork to arrive at the aircraft 45 prior to departure. Usually have an hour to 1.5 hr flt to hub, arriving around midnight. Catch a good 2 hr nap in a sleep room and wake just over 1 hr prior to next flight. Then same thing in reverse. Usually takeoff sometime after 4 am, land before 6am and in my hotel room before 7am. Melatonin consumed and I sleep for about 6 hrs. Wake, eat, exercise, and another cat nap and I'm at it again. It's a 7on / 7 off sked that usually turns into 6 on 8 off.
5. Career progression: 3 years flight school and instructing to get on at a regional. 3 years to upgrade then a little over ten years to get on at a major (9-11, age 65, recession 2008). That included multiple assignments in the training department, hiring team, etc., as well as volunteering in my local community and perusing personal extracurriculars. So pushing 20 years for me and 10,000+ hrs. Lots of friends with similar backgrounds are still at the regionals and not by choice.
6. Training: You would be foolish not to take the military route. It's awesome training, great experience, you get to serve your country, they pay you for it all, and you are well received by recruiters when you separate. Then there are pensions, guard duty you can get into which is a great little trick to help offset first year pay/furloughs, etc. Mitigate the flight spot selection risk by being better and winning those coveted slots.
11. Research the profession as much as you can before you get into it. As said above, tons of great info on this thread for you. If you decide to pursue it, do everything the best you can. Aviation is a small community; everyone you meet will be someone who will be able to help you out, and more importantly, someone you will be able to help out down the road.
Best of luck to you young man!
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