I got my private/instrument on my 17th birthday...on my 18th I got my multi comm. with the instrument add on!

 

To answer your questions,

1. Until the final rule is out and all the aviation colleges and flight schools have lobbied for their special exemptions and cutouts to the ATP rule, there's no way of knowing how being 23 will effect your ability to get hired at a regional. In the mean time, build time as a CFI, do some right seat corporate stuff, fly for a part 135 outfit. The opportunities in aviation are endless. Spend your summers pumping gas at the local airport. You'll find out what's out there real quick.

2. Depends. I went to school with a guy who interned at Continental in college. He got some RJ time and got hired at CAL when he was 24. I refer to him as Number One. I'll let you figure that one out on your own. A lot of people have been hired by the majors in their 20's. The current hiring climate has more to do with if you can get hired than your actual age.

3. Again, depends. It's always better to be well-connected than good in my book, but connections may not carry any weight at some airlines until after the interview (SWA comes to mind). I know one guy I used to fly with who's dad was a super-senior check airman FedEx captain. His dad's pull got him an interview, but he didn't get hired (his entitled arrogant attitude MAY have had something to do with that).

4. Will this be a good career path in the future? Wow. Wish I had the answer. A lot of it is what you make of it, but sometimes things just don't pan out. A fellow CFI and I got on at the airlines during the same month. We have worked for two of the same airlines along the way. I have been flying heavy jets internationally for 4 years, he just got downgraded to FO on a turboprop making less than 30k a year. VERY similar career paths. Ask us each if it was worth it and I bet you will get two different answers. I hate to use the word luck, so I will use the word timing. Sometimes, timing sucks. Somehow, I have a feeling that you will be just fine if you choose this career field.

I applaud you for your early commitment to a challenging and rewarding career path. Keep focused on reaching your career goals, but be open to learning about your strengths, weaknesses, skills, likes, and abilities inside AND outside aviation.

For example, if you are itching to get a rating, I believe you can take your Private Pilot-Glider on your 16th birthday (and solo NOW). It will be a LOT of fun, and the skills you will pick up will make you a better pilot overall. Do your private in a taildragger. Fly into grass strips. Do lots of cross-countries (50NM+ to count towards the Instrument Rating).

I also learned I really enjoyed teaching when I went through my CFI course. Sure, I did the CFI thing for a few years, but the teaching and CFI background led to a Check Airman position at my former airline, which led to a 757/767 job at my current employer, which led to some part-time sim instruction for another 121 carrier.

The doors that have opened for me and the opportunities I have had are not NEARLY what I though they would be (9/11, financial crisis, $140/bbl oil), but they have been more diverse and fulfilling than I could have imagined when I got my Private at 18. DO I work for a Major? No. Have I seen the world and flown some incredible aircraft? Yes. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I apologize if I am rambling, but seeing someone your age with the ambition and opportunity you have is encouraging, even exciting. I think a lot of us on this forum were in your shoes once, but perhaps lacked the capital resources to make things happen at 15. Study hard, fly safe, enjoy your remaining teen years, go to college, and fly a little bit, too. Just realize you will only get out what you put in, and nobody owes you anyhing in this business.

And one more thing, start taking the time to invest in others if you aren't already. Volunteer. Make a difference in someone's life along the way.

All the best,

Dog

 

This sounds just like me about 6 years ago.

I started my Private Pilot at 15 soloed when I was 16, then had to stop for a while due to time and capital restrictions. I ended up finishing the Private with about 100 hours at 19.

Now I am 21 with about 250 hours and my instrument ride is scheduled for next week. Also, I'm 2 semesters away from receiving a degree in Information Science and Technology from a New York City area University.

I can't tell you anything about what the industry will be like for you (or for me for that matter) but I can tell you my path has made me appreciate aviation much more. I started early and then got side tracked with late teenage life. After my 2 year hiatus I finished my private and then didn't do too much flying because I was too busy with a full time job and school.

I had to stop working in March to work on a large project for school. I had the intention of going back to work right after the end of the semester. Things changed and that job was no longer available and I could not get anything that was flexible enough for my school schedule. With help from my parents I was able to (pending the successful completion of my checkride) complete my instrument this summer in the absence of a job.

My point with this is this: As a kid I always wanted to fly. As a teenager and young college student with a very good job in the IT industry making a pretty good amount of money I thought why would I ever wanna fly for a living when I'm making this much money without a degree (just imagine what would happen once I get my degree...) The only problem was that I hated the work I was doing. It took me getting back into flying to realize that. The pro-side of my path so far is that I know, without a doubt, I want to fly and realized that I hated the industry I worked in. But if aviation does not pan out for me, I still will have a degree (outside of the aviation field) to fall back on (even if I don't particularly like it a backup plan is the most valuable thing you can ever have).

My suggestion for you is that there is no need to rush through you training And is is okay (and encouraged) to explore different fields to make sure that aviation is right for you. Also, I (as well as many others) strongly suggest you get a degree in a NON AVIATION field. Aviation degrees are great until your job in the aviation industry goes poof and you need to put food on the table and gas in your car. Try to get your degree in something that interests you (besides aviation of course) or at least something that you can keep you from going crazy for 4 years and has plenty of practicable applications.

Like I said, I'm only a few years ahead of you but I do hope to get a job with an airline one day. I attribute that to the experiences I had at your age. It took me doing a couple of U-Turns, a job I thought I liked but didn't, and 4 years of "college life" to realize it.

Enjoy it, what ever path you might take.

 

Thanks, sounds like very solid advice.

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to fly any gliders or taildraggers.

I'm rather good with computers myself and could have a promising career path there but I just can't imagine working an office job. I hate offices.

I will definitely get a degree outside of aviation.

 

Shootah, where is college in your plan? You are going to need a college degree to aim for the best in any airline career. From what I hear, the major airlines strongly prefer pilot candidates have at least a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, although it does not matter what subject they get it in. The time to get it is after high school, not after going to work for the airlines. If you do not get a degree you are severely limiting your chances for getting a job with a major airline and at some point you are going to want one.

 

To be honest, I haven't completely figured out what my post-high school plans are. I actually wanted to ask this in my original post but I forgot to:

Given the choice, would you go to ERAU with free tuition, or pay for a ~50% chunk (~20k/yr(?)) for a better, more well-rounded education at a more prestigious college?

 

Shootah-

My advice to you is to keep aviation in your mind as a possible career choice BUT go to college for something other than aviation. Get a degree in something quantitative like accounting or engineering, not art history or even general management for that matter. While in college NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK, get internships etc in order to get employment after graduation. Go to all the career fairs. Run for student treasurer, etc. Stay on track and try and get your degree in four years. Also bust your butt to keep your GPA high. I really can't stress any of what I just said enough.

Then once your graduate you'll hopefully have a job and will be able to finance your flight training.

Or you can go the military route which is highly competitive but you are young enough and have time to do everything right.

Or if your family has enough money to put you through your ratings, disregard everything I said above and enjoy the ride.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck. Keep the dream of flying in your shirt pocket ready to go but don't bank your life on it.

 

My advice to you is not to put such time constraints on yourself so early....so to speak. Enjoy high school, girls, your buddies and flying. It's great that you have plans in place, but remember what everyone is telling you; "the only constant is change" whether it be your plans or the industry.

Enjoy the journey.



atp

 

Your grammar and spelling is far too correct for you to succeed as a professional pilot. Like others have already said, enjoy your training and don't ever think that there is a big rush to finish it. Enjoy where you are in life and the lack of responsibility without getting into trouble.

 

AGREED Go to college! Take yr time learn as much as you can, there is no rush at yr age! Enjoy life!