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Best way to reach the airlines

Old 05-17-2018, 03:52 PM
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Default Best way to reach the airlines

I'm currently a junior in college, and I have decided that I want to be an airline pilot. I'm having a hard time finding the best route to becoming a pilot. I've been looking at cadet programs (American's Cadet Academy), accelerated programs (ATP), and a number of other schools around the US. I just don't know what to make of it. Ideally, I would like to find a program in either the Denver or Phoenix area. Any advice or tips?
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Old 05-17-2018, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mlsmith25 View Post
I'm having a hard time finding the best route to becoming a pilot.
Air National Guard
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Old 05-17-2018, 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Adlerdriver View Post
Air National Guard
What he said.
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Old 05-17-2018, 07:10 PM
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PHX is better because of great aviation weather. I did USAF Pilot Training at the old Williams AFB and we almost never had to cancel flights for wx. It's a civilian airport now and there are some flight schools there.

What they said above is very true. If you can snag a pilot slot from a Guard or Reserve outfit you're golden. You get over a year of excellent training compliments of Uncle Sam and can still pursue a civilian aviation career. And you have the military as a backup if the economy crashes and airlines furlough. Downside is you might get activated and/or shot at

Get your training as fast as you can afford it. Then build time as fast as possible to get 1500 hours. Big hiring boom going on for several more years, the quicker you get in the faster you'll move up seniority list.

Edit: aiir, he's already a Junior in College.
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Old 05-18-2018, 05:32 AM
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Why not SoCal?
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Old 05-18-2018, 06:29 AM
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Originally Posted by CAPILOTAIN View Post
Why not SoCal?

It's actually a good environment to learn, but obviously everything is more expensive.


Plenty of B,C,D airspace, numerous airports, occasional solid IMC, and certain times of the year you can always find a marine layer to shoot an approach in actual.
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Old 05-18-2018, 12:48 PM
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Local part 61, work and fly. Takes slightly longer, but no debt.
I guess if money isn't a problem at all, then ATP might work for you.
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Old 05-20-2018, 10:14 AM
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Thank you for the responses guys. To answer some of your questions, I was looking at Phoenix and Denver because I have family I could stay with in the area to help with being able to afford the training. Other than that, SoCal would be great, albeit expensive. I'll have to look into Air National Guard.

Does anyone have any insight into the quality of the training at ATP?
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Old 05-20-2018, 02:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mlsmith25 View Post
Thank you for the responses guys. To answer some of your questions, I was looking at Phoenix and Denver because I have family I could stay with in the area to help with being able to afford the training. Other than that, SoCal would be great, albeit expensive. I'll have to look into Air National Guard.

Does anyone have any insight into the quality of the training at ATP?
Don’t go to ATP! I’m mean I have a biased opinion and you should ask around. But really save yourself while you can from the grasps of ATP. Then again some people like it. Ultimately you’ll regret it.

In all seriousness, going to ATP or ERAU or any of those high cost schools won’t add anything of value to your application. As long as you have your multi, 1500 hours, and a pulse you’ll get any regional job you want. I would recommend finding a flying club and then finding an instructor that has zero intentions of leaving their teaching job. The problem with atp is that it’s not only are they expensive but the instructors have very little experience. Good luck.
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Old 05-21-2018, 06:32 AM
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Originally Posted by mlsmith25 View Post
Any advice or tips?
"The best way"? Wow! There are many ways and the best is.......depends!

Are you looking for fast, quality or cheap? My guess is, the airlines will be looking for "qualified" candidates with a pulse in the near future. "Qualified" in today's terms means, you have the minimums to get hired but not necessarily the ability or experience to perform the job.

Some have suggested the Air National Guard. Obviously, an excellent option combining quality and the government paying you to learn to fly...among other things. Is it fast? Compared to an active duty commitment - absolutely!

If the civilian pathway is an option, my advice is to:
1. Obtain a private pilot single engine land.
2. An instrument rating.
3. A private pilot multi-engine land to obtain the complex, high performance sign off and 10 hours complex for your future commercial ride.
4. A commercial single engine land in the cheapest airplane available (doesn't have to be complex). Note: 10 hours complex satisfied from the private multi. Up to 50 hours in a FAA approved simulator may also count.
5. A CFI single engine land.
6. Instruct immediately for a flight school that will support your efforts to obtain the Instrument instructor, multi commercial and MEI while working.
7. At 1200 hours consider a 135 captain job or continue flight instructing. if able to get a 135 SIC job with lower hours go for it and continue instructing within FAA duty limits to the 1500 hour mark.

Point is, map out a plan and make your first 1500 hours of experience count for future ratings, jobs, etc. Read the requirements for each rating, read the FAR 135 and 121 regs for
PIC and SIC flight time requirements including night, instrument, x-country, etc. When a position presents itself, you will be the "qualified" applicant. In any case, the CFI is a great pathway to get started!

If instructing doesn't appeal to you, consider buying a gas sipping single engine aircraft and fly the crap out of it! Potential disadvantages and pitfalls to this pathway as well!

Last edited by 155mm; 05-21-2018 at 06:45 AM.
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