If you were 18 years old again, a freshman in college with 160 hours in your log book, an instrument rating and the desire to fly for the majors, what path/steps would you take to become a major airline pilot? Below is a rough draft of my plan.

Commercial at age 18 with 250+ hours
Multi and CFI at 19 with 300 hours
Start instructing at 20 with 300+ hours
Finish college at 22
Move to Regionals at 23 with 1500 hours
Apply with Majors at __ with _____ hours

First of all I want to make sure my plan is a realistic one. I also want to learn from others having experience going from student pilot to a major airline pilot and figure out what makes the most sense for today.

I'm all ears. Thanks for your advice.

 

Go into the Air Force, have the time of your life, and build thousands of hours of international heavy time. The pay is better, the jets are bigger and you're serving your nation. Worked for me. Good luck.

 

Get in shape, keep up your grades and get a scholarship to join the military. If you become a pilot, great, if not, take your post 911 GI bill after your commitment is up to get your ratings and qualifications. Either way you'll have a positive bank account at the end of the process, get a chance to serve your country and get to see the world while gaining life experience. You'll still have over 37 years to be a major airline pilot if you play your cards right.
LUV

 

Buy a Lottery ticket.

 

Sorry, just realized your in college already... we'll find your nearest ROTC unit, Navy or Air force and join.....

 

The money to pay for all the flying is not really an issue because when my grandmother passed away she left me with money to fund my flying up to the multi/cfi rating. Her plan was to get me to the point where I should start getting paid to fly and to pay for college. It was awesome what she did for me.

 

From what I have read on the hiring section of this board it seems a lot of pilots are having problems getting from 300hrs to 1500hrs. The CFI path is drying up with fewer students being able to afford to fly, and lack of return on investment if you can pay for all that flight training. Things like flying checks, night freight, skydivers, pipeline patrol, etc are also becoming more and more scarce.

The military might be your best route. Major airlines absolutely love to hire ex-Mil pilots (and rightfully so). The contacts you will make in the Military will far surpass anything you could do in the civilian world to "get competitive" for a major. Also look into flying for the Air National Guard if you arent interested in a full time commitment.

 

The best way is go to Orthodontics school. Buy a fun plane with your steady, stable, income and love aviation. Then pick a NICE vacation destination and find a a hotel, without a MacDonalds out the side door, and make a reservation. Then buy a 1st class ticket to said destination on a "major" and there you have it. You made it to a Major!!
Now sit back and enjoy flight attendants actually paying some attention to you and when the flight is over shake the pilot's hands and express you sincere sympathy by simple saying, "I'm sorry for your tragedy". He will know what you mean without any explanation.

Good luck!

ps, I am serious, but if you are dead set on flying for a living then I agree with the military option. I would stay in though vs getting out to do airlines. Like me, you will probably not follow the above advice but in 20 years you will wish you had.

 

Linden,

The military route certainly has its advantages. The regional airlines are more stagnant than they have been in the past. But, hiring should kick in at the majors in a big way about 2015. Your commitment could result in your missing a wave of hiring.

Best route is to apply everywhere, including the Guard, Coast Guard and Army. The Air Force routes a lot of "pilots" to drones and that isn't going to do much for you.

 

The guard or reserves are a great way to experience the best of the military, but on your terms. Check out a guard or reserve unit that flies near you college. Find out from them what it takes to get hired there. Its a great way to build time, flying great equipment and you can work at the airlines while doing it.