How long to the top?
 

Hi,

I am curious, how long do you think it would take to get from being a co-pilot on a regional jet to being a captain flying a 747 all around the world? I know the road between the two will be very rough with furloughs, crashpads, and stress but I am strongly determined to become an international pilot! So, what do you think? about 30 years??:D

In today's environment, possibly never. Then again, 10 years from now, you may be there. Just keep flying safely and responsibly. It'll happen.

That's funny. I had that dream about 12 years ago... being an international CA. I would still love to have that dream but right now I can just hope that I have my job in a year.... two years.... 5 years. I'm already lucky that I've still got it.

That's what I'm saying. I've been flying for 25 years. I've been furloughed for six years. Don't wanna burst anyone's bubble though. Who know's where we'll be down the road?

:o But I wish I was flying 12 years ago..... I just broke into the industry last year. You've treaded much muddier waters than I ever have (yet). I hope we all have jobs but you probably deserve it more than I do what with all the time you've put in.

If you want to go live in India, Dubai, or Tokyo, you could probably do it in 10-15 years. Emirates has 777 Captains that are under 40 years old. Probably have to take a risk and work for a relatively new carrier that is planning on rapid widebody growth. That is how the young guys got into the widebody Captain spots at Emirates so fast. Unless you get hired by a U.S. legacy before you are 35 years old, it probably won't happen here in the good old U.S.A.

Not really. Here's what I have learned: I flew for the USAF for 20 years. Fighters, heavies, mostly international, and some combat. Retired from the USAF and went to fly for Delta in 2001. Flew MD-88s, was furloughed after 9/11, deferred recall for awhile and am now back and loving the 73NG. The commercial aviation business is fickle. But, that being said, it beats working a 9-5 desk job. The best I ever had it was flying militarily all over the world. I'd go back to that in a heartbeat.

Bottom line: we aviators have a really nice profession and an obligation. Our pay ain't what it used to be but its still a wonderful gig. I tried the white collar world and hated it. Give me a jet, a nice crew and a decent rotation.

I second that motion

You may have seen the best of the military flying all over the world when you were in. I would bet if you did go back, you wouldn't stay for long. I'm on mil leave right now from DAL, and REALLY miss it. I'll be back for the summer flying, I just hope I can stay in the ER.

"Deserve's got nothing to do with it".

I've been at the airlines for 13+ years. I might see international widebody someday as captain. As for a 747 Captain, not very likely. It's a model who's days are numbered. My airline dumped them in the '90's. Many airlines are dumping them, so in the future, they might all be gone (by the time you can hold captain on it). The 777 & 787 (or Airbus) might be more likely. Shoot for "widebody", who cares about the model numbers. Flying is flying. If you want to fly, do it. Domestic is fine too. A 16 hour international leg to a city being attacked by terrorists is not so glamorous anymore. :rolleyes:

That's what I'm thinking.

Maybe not to you :D

Things seem to come in swings so I wouldn't put it past anyone under 40 being able to hold it. Just a wild guess though. CAL may run senior with all then new hiring but AMR could be the most junior of them all one day. Kalitta at one point had a 2yr upgrade where guys under 30 were flying them around the world as CAs. Just depends on where you plan on dropping your hat and what sacrifices you're willing to make along the way.

I've got a similar dream my friend but I am very uncertain if I will ever be able to attain it. I've only been in the industry for a year and five months and I am already getting furloughed. It kind of sucks and the future looks bleak. I don't know what to do at this point. Anyways, best of luck to you.

Seeing as only two US passenger airlines fly the 747 (for who knows how much longer), I would re-ask the question in this way, "How long do you think it would take to get from being a co-pilot on a regional jet to being a captain flying a Super Premium Widebody Jet all around the world?".

Unless of course you are looking at Brown and Kalitta.

hmm, a certain group of pilots think only the 747 is a super premium widebody. So the vast majority of pilots will never get to be a super premium widebody captain.

And you wrote a GREAT book! :)

So was I when I started, but look at me now. I fly for a domestic only carrier, live in my base, my pay is great, and I wouldn't trade it for any 747 gig going.:D

Now if for some reason things didn't work out here I would be knocking on doors at these companies who fly the 74. UPS, NWA, United, Atlas/Polar, World, Kallitta, Evergreen, Cathay, Koren Air, and JAL to name a few. As you can see on my list none of these carriers are even hiring, some don't pay very well, or have a base where I live.

As you progress I think your priorities/dreams will change. You'll soon understand that it's not all about what you fly, it's about quality of life. There is a good chance that I'll never fly a wide body but my quality of life is second to none.

Talk to me in 10 years and let me know if you are able to do this.

1. Drive 20 minutes to work.

2. Never be more than 3 times zones from home.

3. Carry the local currency.

4. And speak the local language.

Good luck in your career ;)

Good question. Maybe twenty years maybe never. But if you make it to an international pilot on a 777, 787, or the 797s or whetever planes they have then would be a pretty good gig. For that matter being a narrow body captain is a good gig too.

You sound like me twenty years ago. Since then, I have gone though a couple of furloughs, crashpads, stress and made it to be a B727 captain with a 200K salary. And soon I will be losing my job and will start all over. And knowing what I know, if I could go back in time I would do it all over again, except I would save more money. :)

You have the right attitude and you will make it. Remember to have fun along the way. I enjoyed all my flying jobs. Happiness isnt found at the end of the road but along the way.

I am not at all bitter. I knew what I was getting into twenty five years ago. It sounds like you know what you ae getting into too. And when I am your FO in the RJ we will have some good laughs. I have a lot of good stories to share.

1. Drive 20 minutes to work.

2. Never be more than 3 times zones from home.

3. Carry the local currency.

4. And speak the local language.

I would trade my 744 in for a 152 in a heartbeat if I could hook up that deal with a good paycheck and workrules.

I am sorry to hear that you are losing your job after investing so much. What major airline are you getting laid off from if you don't mind me asking and which regional airline did you decide on going to?

Did you consider going Corporate instead of regionals?

Best of luck to you. Makes me think about our own future in this crazy business. I do love flying though so I will be at it come hell or high water.

Thanks!!:)

Buzzpat
 

" Dereliction of Duty" ???

I know there have been a lot of answers here and I'll try to keep mine short.

It depends. It depends on how motivated you are, who you work for and where you want to work.

Want to be a B747-400 Captain at Delta - that will take a while, as it's a senior airplane. At least 25 years once you get hired at the company.

Want to be a B747 Captain for Cathay Pacific? If you know your stuff and fit their mold, it can be a few years. (really - a friend of mine is scheduled for upgrade after being there 3 years, and they do interview regional FOs).

Want to be a B747 Captain for Kalitta? Recently, it was a year upgrade time there. I upgraded there in 1.5 years, and that was after the upgrade class was postponed. But the schedule is tough and the hours can be long.

Delta's schedule is probably similar to Cathay's, which is somewhat nice when you're flying the widebodies. Kalitta's schedule is a lot different, and to some worse.

In short - (wasn't I going to keep this short? ;-) - keep flying and don't worry about wanting to fly a specific airplane. Decide what kind of lifestyle you want and see who has that lifestyle.

If you want to be an "international pilot" by the time you are 30, join the Air force and fly transports. You'll see the world. Or a lot of the desert.

At UPS, brand new 747-400s have newhire F/Os and are captained by some of the most junior captains in the company.

when i was a little kid (last week) i dreamed of flying heavies around the world for UPS or FedEx...that didn't last long...once you start flying and get your first job whether it be flying scenic flights, flight instructing, charter etc. etc. you tend to change your mind...i decided bout 3 years ago that i would not go to a regional...now i'm flying rj's...at this point my goal is to get back to flying piston airplanes around new england and make a little money doing it too...

it's all about perspective and perspective constantly changes with experience...

I second that motion!

Lightening,

I fly for Astar (DHL). I will either be laid off or the company will cease operations soon. I am somewhat lucky because I am still working. There are many ATA, Kitty Hawk, Aloha, and other pilots that have been out of work for a while now.

I have been applying to corporate, regionals, and foreign airlines for weeks now. I just figured a regional may be the first job offer to come up. I enjoyed it the first time around. I hope I will have as much fun the second time around.

Anyway, so far I haven't had any hits. So at this rate I may find myself flight instructing. I hope those jobs arent too hard to get either.:)

Not unusual to see young skippers in Asia/ME/Europe in their late 20's to mid 30's flying narrow/wide body jets...although most of these guys reached their peak early...flying outside the US has been an excellent choice and if your spirit of adventure is keen to try.. you might be surprised of the end result. Keep your dream alive and best of luck to you.
Remember..15 hours in a tube is not for everyone.!!

:cool: It took me 27 years after getting hired to make it to the 747-400. Taking off and landing the 400 is a lot of fun. Laying over in London, Rome, or Singapore is cool. Cruising for 13 hours is not, or feeling tired all of the time. You fly the 747 in two conditions; either the sun is directly in your face or it's dark and the sun is about to come up and shine directly in your face. If you want to fly across the water, shoot for the Caribbean or California to Hawaii. Having said that though, I wouldn't have traded it for anything else.

Yeah, that's one of three books he wrote, I just ordered my first copy...

In my 21 year journey from DC-3,through Convair 340,through B727 (domestic and internatonal),to my shiny CitationXL/XLS,I can truly say it has all been good !!!! and flying the Aeronca Champ is in some ways the greatest gift of all. Godspeed !

I was lucky to have the opportunity to be able to go from a 152 to an E190 if all goes well and I pass my Sim in January... crossing fingers!!!!!!!!!!!

It is all possible, also be willing to change your plans and enjoy the ride, I have only been flying for 5 years but I can tell you the most miserable people you meet are the ones that are wishing they were somewhere else all the time.

To each their own, one man's trash is another's treasure and so on. :)

One of the neat things about this industry is that while we're all pilots, there are so many different ways to make a living as pilots.

In the words of ACDC, "Its a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll".