Wanna

Alright, I'm finally going to pull the trigger and start my pilot training and my question is "Is it really important which pilot school you choose"? I have a friend who runs a very small flight school here in Oklahoma and right now he can get me my private and Instrument rating for $18,000. He currently doesn't have a multi-engine plane, but he could rent one and he thinks he could get me my commercial license for 22,000 with Multi-engine rating. After researching, this would be well on the lower side of schooling to get me ready to be a airline pilot, but he doesn't have any contracts with regional airlines so would it be harder for me to get hired on once I'm finished and have gained enough hours? Or is it best to go to a well established school that regional airlines visit frequently to hire pilots? Thank you to all who help me decide!

StaffAvi8r

I have been reading through forums for over a year now, and the consensus seems to be that you should get your ratings as cheaply as possible. As for contracts with regionals, I don't think this plays a role until you're at the CFI stage. At that point it's where you're working, not where you trained. Even then, 1,500 hours is 1,500 hours, and you can apply to whichever regional works best for you. Choosing a regional is a separate conversation.

sled14

Does Schools Matter!

Apparently

FlyingStormie

Yes, it is, but not for the reasons you're thinking.


Don't put too much stock in big name schools that have some sort of relationship with airlines. They aren't scams, but in the current hiring environment, as long as you have the requisite hours and ratings, getting an interview is not really difficult.

Further, even smaller training outfits sometimes have similar agreements. There are a couple here in the DEN metro that have some level of "networking" with a regional airline.

Choose a school/training program that you find fits your learning style, budget, and professional goals. Your friend's school seems like a good place to at least get started on your training.

Flyhayes

In today's market, inter school airline agreements aren't even worth the paper they are printed on.

Wanna

Could you explain what you mean!! Please!

Flyhayes

Once upon a time, getting hired at a regional airline was highly competitive. Going to a school that had an prefered interview agreement could get you in the door easier than if you applied off the street. Today this is not the case. Today this is no longer the case. There is a huge pilot shortage at the regional airline level. Once you meet the requirements you'll be able to pick which airline suits you the best.

JohnBurke

Does a school matter?

Do schools matter?

Only if one pays attention in class.

Upntheair27

Maybe English wasn't the OPs first language. Consider that before you pick on people.

JohnBurke

Read the syntax of the original poster's words and then think before you post.

That is not english as a second language.

So far as the original poster's question goes, the answer is no: it doesn't matter where one gets certification. The hardest part of learning to fly is paying for it.

The original poster will not be obtaining airline employment upon completion of basic flight certification. He will do well to spend the money necessary to earn a flight instructor certificate, unless his friend knows of alternate employment available to a low-time pilot.

Many flight schools will hire those who completed training at that school; one needs to think about the next step in training. If the friend with the flight school is willing to put the original poster to work and has adequate student flow to allow the original poster to gain experience at an acceptable rate, then the path seems clear.

If the original poster will need to seek employment elsewhere, then that should be taken into consideration.

It may be that the original poster can get his commercial, multi-engine instrument combination at his or her friend's place, save some money, and use those savings toward instructor certification with a school that might hire him. If that's the case, then the path seems clear. If the original poster is intending to achieve bare certification as a pilot only, and has no option after training, it may be a murky trail to get the initial experience needed.

Simply put, not enough information is provided. The threat title grammar, however, is clear.