Zero Hours to Airlines / ATP Flight School
02-01-2007, 08:55 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Zero Hours to Airlines / ATP Flight School
I'd like to hear some opinions from all of you.
I'm 21 years old. I don't have a private certificate, but have studied for it for many years and have a lot of PC simulator time. I'm trying to figure out the best way to earn all of my ratings and pursue a career as an airline pilot for a regional airline. Presently, I am considering two options:
1.) Attend the University of Nebraska—Kearney to earn a four-year degree in Airway Science. Earned ratings would include IFR and multi-engine commercial. CFI would be optional. Over the four years, I'd probably accrue $30,000-$45,000 in loans. I would have to find entry-level, part-time work and somewhere to live in a town about two hours from where I currently live. At the end of the program, I probably won't have many more hours over what is required for the ratings and would have to earn them on my own afterwards. It could easily be six years before I have enough hours to get in with a regional airline. At that point, I'd probably still need expensive transition training. I'd then start, age 27, at the typical first officer salary of somewhere around $20,000/year.
2.) Attend ATP Flight School [www.atpflightschool.com] to earn all of my ratings. I'd have to take out a loan for around $55,000. This would take about six months. I'd spend another six months to a year instructing for ATP. Housing would be included. I'd get CRJ training at a large discount while instructing. After this, I'd be employable by a regional airline. I'd start at a painfully low salary my first year, but by the time I would get into the airlines via method 1 above, I'd be making decent money. Once I'm working for a regional airline, I'll do what I can to earn my four year degree in preperation for application to larger airlines.
Both options have the flexibility of entering with a PPL or start with zero hours.
I really am at a crossroads here, and would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Brandon
I'm 21 years old. I don't have a private certificate, but have studied for it for many years and have a lot of PC simulator time. I'm trying to figure out the best way to earn all of my ratings and pursue a career as an airline pilot for a regional airline. Presently, I am considering two options:
1.) Attend the University of Nebraska—Kearney to earn a four-year degree in Airway Science. Earned ratings would include IFR and multi-engine commercial. CFI would be optional. Over the four years, I'd probably accrue $30,000-$45,000 in loans. I would have to find entry-level, part-time work and somewhere to live in a town about two hours from where I currently live. At the end of the program, I probably won't have many more hours over what is required for the ratings and would have to earn them on my own afterwards. It could easily be six years before I have enough hours to get in with a regional airline. At that point, I'd probably still need expensive transition training. I'd then start, age 27, at the typical first officer salary of somewhere around $20,000/year.
2.) Attend ATP Flight School [www.atpflightschool.com] to earn all of my ratings. I'd have to take out a loan for around $55,000. This would take about six months. I'd spend another six months to a year instructing for ATP. Housing would be included. I'd get CRJ training at a large discount while instructing. After this, I'd be employable by a regional airline. I'd start at a painfully low salary my first year, but by the time I would get into the airlines via method 1 above, I'd be making decent money. Once I'm working for a regional airline, I'll do what I can to earn my four year degree in preperation for application to larger airlines.
Both options have the flexibility of entering with a PPL or start with zero hours.
I really am at a crossroads here, and would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Brandon
02-01-2007, 11:47 PM
#2
New Hire
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 9
It would take twenty years to finish four years of college while working at a regional... Just go to school and spend your summers and free time training. If done right you could CFI your last two years in school. Whatever you do get a first class medical before you spend a penny. Good luck!
02-02-2007, 03:38 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
Originally Posted by bqmassey
I'd like to hear some opinions from all of you.
I'm 21 years old. I don't have a private certificate, but have studied for it for many years and have a lot of PC simulator time. I'm trying to figure out the best way to earn all of my ratings and pursue a career as an airline pilot for a regional airline. Presently, I am considering two options:
1.) Attend the University of Nebraska—Kearney to earn a four-year degree in Airway Science. Earned ratings would include IFR and multi-engine commercial. CFI would be optional. Over the four years, I'd probably accrue $30,000-$45,000 in loans. I would have to find entry-level, part-time work and somewhere to live in a town about two hours from where I currently live. At the end of the program, I probably won't have many more hours over what is required for the ratings and would have to earn them on my own afterwards. It could easily be six years before I have enough hours to get in with a regional airline. At that point, I'd probably still need expensive transition training. I'd then start, age 27, at the typical first officer salary of somewhere around $20,000/year.
2.) Attend ATP Flight School [www.atpflightschool.com] to earn all of my ratings. I'd have to take out a loan for around $55,000. This would take about six months. I'd spend another six months to a year instructing for ATP. Housing would be included. I'd get CRJ training at a large discount while instructing. After this, I'd be employable by a regional airline. I'd start at a painfully low salary my first year, but by the time I would get into the airlines via method 1 above, I'd be making decent money. Once I'm working for a regional airline, I'll do what I can to earn my four year degree in preperation for application to larger airlines.
Both options have the flexibility of entering with a PPL or start with zero hours.
I really am at a crossroads here, and would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Brandon
I'm 21 years old. I don't have a private certificate, but have studied for it for many years and have a lot of PC simulator time. I'm trying to figure out the best way to earn all of my ratings and pursue a career as an airline pilot for a regional airline. Presently, I am considering two options:
1.) Attend the University of Nebraska—Kearney to earn a four-year degree in Airway Science. Earned ratings would include IFR and multi-engine commercial. CFI would be optional. Over the four years, I'd probably accrue $30,000-$45,000 in loans. I would have to find entry-level, part-time work and somewhere to live in a town about two hours from where I currently live. At the end of the program, I probably won't have many more hours over what is required for the ratings and would have to earn them on my own afterwards. It could easily be six years before I have enough hours to get in with a regional airline. At that point, I'd probably still need expensive transition training. I'd then start, age 27, at the typical first officer salary of somewhere around $20,000/year.
2.) Attend ATP Flight School [www.atpflightschool.com] to earn all of my ratings. I'd have to take out a loan for around $55,000. This would take about six months. I'd spend another six months to a year instructing for ATP. Housing would be included. I'd get CRJ training at a large discount while instructing. After this, I'd be employable by a regional airline. I'd start at a painfully low salary my first year, but by the time I would get into the airlines via method 1 above, I'd be making decent money. Once I'm working for a regional airline, I'll do what I can to earn my four year degree in preperation for application to larger airlines.
Both options have the flexibility of entering with a PPL or start with zero hours.
I really am at a crossroads here, and would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Brandon
This may require you to work / save a few years before starting but in the long run it will be worth it.
-LAFF
02-02-2007, 04:10 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: G2 gear slammer
Posts: 308
No matter what you do, do NOT get a degree in anything aviation. It is almost useless anywhere. Go get something in business admin or something, because chances are SOMETHING could happen. I.e. medical snatched, furlough, etc.....
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