What do you expect from a guy with a chimp avatar?

 

Rickdb,

I wanted to comment on the current hiring window. You seem to be afraid that it will stop sometime soon. That is false. I want to dispell the rumor that this hiring window will stop anytime this DECADE!! Think about it. Right now all the regionals are hurting for pilots. Yet only 2 of the 6 legacy airlines are hiring! Just 2 of them. (United, Northwest, and US Air are gearing up to hire, but I don't believe they have started any classes, maybe United has, no one else). Imagine what happens when American, United, Northwest, and US Air begin to hire (in a few months, about 1.5 years for American). American and United are the world's largest airlines, and they are not hiring. Also, none of the legacy carriers are expanding. Air Travel is expected to double in by 2020. The legacy carriers will need to expand and then hiring will be amplified! Check out this link to my pilot shortage thread. Lots of good facts.
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...ad.php?t=12901

Trust me. Don't worry about the hiring window closing on you. It will not close anytime this decade. Only a few of the majors are hiring, and there is currently a shortage. Imagine what will happen when they ALL start hiring in one year, and then expanding. Do not let this fear play into your decision. As some famous jedi once said, "Fear leads to the dark side." Don't let fear affect your decision! You will still be around for this hiring window. It is not going away any time soon. Don't waste $64,000 on training at ATP, when you can get the same training at a local FBO for about $35,000. Just look around a little bit.
Good luck.

 

SLICE, I can't believe I didn't go there for my multi. :-( I feel stupid.

 

Aerospace pilot,

Thanks for the insight. My buddy is a pilot for SkyWest and he told me gave me the same information you did. He told me this year their were only around 3000 pilots who got there commercial certificates. He also said that SkyWest is really hurting for pilots (FO's). As a result, he cant upgrade to CA until next year because they put a freeze on upgrades until 2008.

Thanks for the information. I appreciate it

 

I agree with most of the previous posters. The airlines will always be here. Get some good training, and build some good time - you will have some of the most fun you will ever have in an airplane. That doesn't mean it will take 5 or more years. I was at an airline within 3 years of getting my instrument rating, and had more than enough flight time to go wherever I wanted (regional wise).

Also, if you are not at a regional by the time you are 27 - who cares? There are PLENTY of new hires that are over 27.

 

I've been told the same thing about this hiring, all my professors at UofI were being told for the last 30 years that there would be a pilot shortage...well it's actually happening (slowing down for the holidays and then picking back up again)

almost half of the current pilots will be retiring in the next 10 years...someone correct me if that is skewed but thats what i've heard

 

If you do choose the ATP route... at least resist the urge to skip the CFI time to go straight to the airlines. The ATP curriculum goes by so fast it will make your head spin, and you will not really know your stuff until you have to teach it to someone else.

You might be able to do it at your local FBO too, as others have suggested, for the same or less money. If you choose that way instead, my advice is that you must make flying your first priority. If you do not plan to commit at least three lessons a week, you may be wasting time (=money) relearning stuff from previous lessons. Keep in mind weather and broken airplanes will affect your schedule too.

Good luck to you!

SAAB... thanks for bringing the monkey back...so much more kissable than the...yecchh!... yankee fan!

 

After I finish my training at ATP, I will instruct for them to build my hours to get either to XJT, SkyWest, or Republic

 

I don't know where you came from so I don't know what to say. I found out about it through word of mouth personally before the internet was big like today...

 

With your training (PPL-MEII), you are looking at 5 months. Afterwards, you can probably go one of two routes if I'm not mistaken. You could just instruct for approximately 5-10 months and build TT & ME, and then apply to the regionals, or you could successfully undertake and nail the RJ certification course and then instruct for 2-4 months and then apply to the regionals.

Choose whatever route that is comfortable and affordable to you.

Best wishes. blue skies.


atp