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Some basic questions

Old 11-07-2005, 10:32 AM
  #1  
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Default Some basic questions

Hi, this is my first post. I am a 16 year old searching for a path to become an airliner pilot. I am very serious about a career in piloting and I really do hope you veterans can aid me. So here i have a few questions about piloting...

1) Does the military offer flight school for beginners? I have no actual experience in flying yet, and i am quite positive i will be enlisting into the military. Does any branch of the military offer courses in basic piloting skills?

2) On average is the average job of an average airliner pilot stable? Do i have to worry about lay offs and other threats similar to that?

3) How difficult is it to aquire the status of captain?

4) If none of the branches of the military offer schools for piloting, on average how much does it cost? and how long will it take?

5) Is the salary of an FO, and captain sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle?

6) What is it like to be an airliner pilot?

7) What kind of grades should I have for high school and college? And is there any specific subject i just study for in college?

8) On average are the benefits and retirement plans for pilots sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle?

I thank you for your help

I apologize if any of you find my post to be immature or "n00b-ish", but i would really like to find out about this stuff.

Last edited by nsdq12345; 11-07-2005 at 10:37 AM.
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Old 11-07-2005, 12:59 PM
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1) In order to be a pilot in the military, you have to be an officer. In order to be an officer, you have to have a 4 year degree. That said, many airforce bases have flying clubs with training at a reduced rate from the standard flight school. Or, go to school and do the reserves, or ROTC while working on your degree and maybe pick up a couple ratings on the side.

2) Read the fourms here. This might be one of the most unstable career choices you could make. The only sure thing right now seems to be WN, FX, or 5X.

3) Captain upgrades depend on the airline. Most regionals vary from one to five years. The latter ones typically pay better or have better bennefits. There are basically two types. Fast upgrade, crappy pay or slow upgrade, ok pay. Most Majors aren't hiring and won't be for some time. Look at the pay section of this website, many of the airlines show the junior captain's hire date. If it's 1990 you can expect 15 years as an FO.

4) Budget about $30-45k for your ratings from private through CFI.

5) First year FO, at most regionals will put you near poverty level. Yeah, $19 an hour sounds great, until you figure out that you're only paid in block time. The time at the gate doesn't count. By the time you put in that 13 hour day to fly for 6 or 7 hours you're making about $6 per hour.

6) Read some of the other fourms. There's one about "out and backs" that gives some good insight.

7) You should always do your best in school(thanks mom!). That being said this is often an industry of who you know, not what you know. Assuming you're not a total idiot it's a pretty level playing field. We all have basically the same skills in terms of airmanship, and experience when we get hired. What sets you apart is the person you are and the people you may know.

8) UA recently liquidated the employee pension fund because it could not make payments on it. DL and NW are thought to follow suit. What has this taught me? First, don't rely on one source for retirement. Diversify so that if one does bad, the other picks up the slack. Second, don't live outside your means. If you're making 100,000 per year but spending like you're making 200,000 you're in serious trouble when you get that furlough.

A little background on me. I recently graduated with my BS. I'm finishing up my CFI and currently have about 300 hours. I started flying because of interest I have in aircraft, not the money people thing pilots make. In the five years I've been flying I saw people getting on at regionals with 500tt, upgrading in a year and flying for a major less than 5 years after they graduated. Things changed after 9-11 and they haven't quite stabilized. Fuel costs, war, media hype (SARS) and stupid management have caused a lot of turmoil in the industry. It's constantly changing. What is put here by myself, or any of the much more qualified members may not hold an ounce of truth 5-10 years from now when you have the experience to get hired.

I think the military is a great option for some people. I looked at it and after a lot of consideration decided it wasn't the route for me. Don't do it (or anything for that matter) because it seems like the fast way, the easy way, or the way that everybody else does it. You're 16. You have two years before you decided to go to school, or go to boot camp. Regardless of which way you go, I would go to school first and join an ROTC program. They'll pay for some of your education and life as an officer is better. Regardless, research as much as you can. Don't just listen to what the recruiters have to say (even college). Talk to people that know first hand. Get the real take.

Regardless of what you do, don't go somewhere that makes you pay for a job, like Gulfstream Academy or Delta Academy. It may be the easy way, but you're only hurting your cause in the long run and costing yourself a lot of money.
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Old 11-08-2005, 04:01 AM
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Contrary to what everyone your whole life has been telling you, you don't need a college degree to become an airline pilot. That said, I think a college degree is necessary in this career field because you will need something to make your retirement outside of flying. Get a college degree in business or something like that. DON'T get a degree in aviation as it is useless when you get out of the industry. Go straight into flying, and pick up the degree via online courses or distance education. At 16, you could get started on your private pilot certificate at your local FBO. All in all, you need to do what will make you happy, but don't get into flying because you want to make a lot of money. Just some observations.
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Old 12-09-2005, 06:06 PM
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If you are to go the college ROTC route there is through the marines, a way to avoid having to take all the military science courses. Any time in anyone's college education they can get a spot reserved for them after they graduate. FRom there you go to flight school, whether you pass or not you owe the marines 4 years, if you pass you owe them a total of 6-8 years, in that time you start at $42,000 and in five years are at $70,000 with benefits. How many real airline pilots have come from the military? A lot of them. Thats what I do and won't have debt when I graduate. What more could I ask for, have both of my dreams come true. Flying the most advanced jets in the world and be an airline pilot.
 
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