Route to join Delta Airlines?
 

Hey, hope you guys have a wonderful day. Im currently 17 years old planning yo attend Western Michigan university in fall of 2020. My dream is to work for Delta Airlines one day. I wrote goals that I want to accomplish to become a Delta Airline pilot. I want to hear other opinions about my plan. Is it realistic and can be accomplished. Also if its better to join the delta propel program or try to accomplish it outside the propel program.
Please feel free to give me any advice and your thoughts. Thanks you.


Goals:

• At WMU flight instructor at the university. Volunteered to do extra work for the flight department and assumed a positions of flight supervisor, assistant training, volunteer as a safety pilot , QA mentor, fly as much as possible.
• Take summer class and fly
• Become a CFI at the end of my sophomore year (2022)
• Start working as a CFI in my junior year (Hopefully for WMU)
• Graduate 2024 with at least 1250 hours and 3.5 GPA
• ATP • CFI-(I) & MEI • AGI • IGI
• Get hire at regional airlines (Republic or SkyWest) by September 2024
• Meet requirements for 14 CFR § 61.159 - Aeronautical experience: Airplane category rating
• Get a320 or 737 Type rating*
• Get hire at Delta Airlines around late-2027
• Hopefully be based in DTW on the a320 or 737 (If I get hire)
• Hopefully in years 6 FO in a330 or in a350

Other route to accomplish Goals W/ Delta Propel Program:

• At WMU flight instructor at the university. Volunteered to do extra work for the flight department and assumed the positions of flight supervisor, assistant training, volunteer as a safety silot , QA mentor, fly as much as possible.
• Take summer class and fly
• Become a CFI in my junior year
• Join Delta Propel Program
• Start working as a CFI at WMU in my sophomore year as part of the DPP
• Graduate in 2024 with around or at least 1250 hours and 3.5 GPA
• ATP • CFI-(I) & MEI • AGI • IGI
• After graduation join a Delta partner Regional Airlines (like Republic) build PCI or SIC hours
• By Early-2028 meet all the requirements to join Delta Airline

I would personally reach out to your Propel mentors.

But on here, 80KtsClamp is a great resource. Did it while at a normal college and is under 40 and a 320 captain. He’s also a great and upbeat guy. As a moderator he will probably read this and jump in.

Thanks you very much, I really appreciate it.

Also when you apply remember to apply using the words Delta Air Lines instead of Delta Airlines. (We may be the only airline that's still spelled that way). Your goals sound realistic. Just work hard and stay out of trouble. Don't get hung up on any set backs. No pilot is perfect just remain focused on your end goal and you'll be here in no time!

Overall it sounds like your ideal path is a decent one. I will say that I don't think you need to acquire a type rating on your own.


For the basics though, you want to choose an affiliated college with an aviation program for training or join the military (WMU meets this requirement). Aviation related degree will come with that, although just having a non "basket weaving" degree is the most important part. You understand that GPA is important.

You don't have to limit yourself to only doing volunteer work for the flight department. I don't know if WMU has a flight team but that could be something to look into (it's not aerobatics), it gives more flight experience while a good learning opportunity. Outside of that, Delta loves community service work too.

I don't think the propel program can hurt you, if you can get accepted I'd go all in for it, but you can still get hired even if not accepted into that program.

Yes, always three words! You want to be an airline pilot at Delta Air Lines.

Also, if you live in Michigan, I would say that Endeavor should be your top pick for a regional to work for.

Thanks you Baradium and LavService. I will make sure to write Delta Air Lines correctly.
Also I will highly consider Endeavor as you said I actually live in Michigan.
Thank you for the advice.

One more question, So I dont have to get type rating on my own?

No. Even Southwest has dropped their type requirement. Not worth your time or money.

Thanks you for the information. I didn’t know that.