Its all timing. With the stagnation being the current situation with most if not all airlines in this country, upgrade times are varying widely. When I started at Comair a year and a half ago, the most junior captain had been on the property for 6 years. After all the downgrades and furloughs are complete it will be more like 10 years.

Some guys get lucky and upgrade in a year or two, but those days are pretty much gone right now. Realistically right now you should prepare to spend at least 5-10 years at a regional before you will be in a position to apply to the majors. You have time on your side, being only 16. I remember being in your shoes.. when I was 16, 9/11 had just happened and I was wondering if there was even a future in aviation. A lot has happened since then and we had one huge hiring boom in 2007. That is bound to happen again sometime down the road, but maybe not as big as it was then.

Places like great lakes are airlines where you are reasonably assured a quick upgrade time... but even that is subject to change. I would imagine that a lot of younger guys getting on at SWA and Spirit got in at the beginning of a hiring boom or slightly before and their seniority allowed them a quick upgrade. Once they got their magic 1,000 TPIC, they moved on. It can still be done today, but at a slower pace. Hang in there, finish high school, get a degree (non aviation related) and your ratings. Instruct for a while, fly skydivers on the weekends, etc. and have fun. If you have the determination and right attitude, you'll make it.

 

Not to sound like a total moron, but is there any chance that I could get injured or killed? (excluding crashing the plane by myself)


Also, because of all the luck involved, would all of you recommend that I not go into the commercial aviation field, and I go to college for another major and train on the side?

I have been looking into the University of North Dakota, but I want to have something to fall back on in case piloting doesn't work out.

 

Spent 6 years at my regional before going to Southwest. 4 years as Captain.

The last new hire class we had here had a kid that was 25 years old. However, he's a legacy, most of the under 27 year olds are.

 

If you love flying do it. If you are just looking for a career, find a different one. I was a police officer for 25 years (flying on the side) enjoyed it a first, hated it later. Retired.
4.5 years at Mesa (it wasn't that bad), 7mo. at Air Tran then furloughed
The bottom line flying is a great job but, can be a rotten career.

 

I would comment here ... but I think everything I would say has been covered by now ...

Cycles of the industry ... upgrade time at the regional carrier ... which majors are hiring ... your age at the time you get on with a regional carrier/time you upgrade ... or just go military, and hope you get a good pilot slot!

end of my noncomment

 

16? Good for you. By the time 65 rolls around you will be ready for the regionals. Keep pressing on with your ratings. Once 65 hits there will be TONS of retirements at the Legacy Airlines, and Southwest. For the most part that is only 4 years away now....and some may retire before that.
The industry is in a low point now but you are young enough to weather the storm. Time at a regional will vary depending on many factors. Try to get on with a respectable one and get some jet time. If you keep the vision...you will make it.
Dont' get hung up on the vision or weight thing either and don't listen to the negative people on the forums....most of them got turned down and that is why they are negative. Good luck.

Best Advice I had...apply to all of them and let the individual companies decide if they want to hire you. 1 step at a time though.

 

I spent 9 years at a regional (8 as Captain). I spent many more years before that at other flying jobs including corporate flying. I was hired at a major with 10,000 hours at age 39. Getting to a major is hard. You need luck and knowing someone inside may help. Good luck.

 

Yeah, there is a possibilty of getting killed in Guard but I could also get killed driving to work in ATL. You have to decide if you can live with that or not. As far as a degree goes I would have a back up. I went to UND and did Criminal Justice and Commercial Aviation. In case the flying doesn't work out maybe I'll go be a cop or work at some other law enforcement oraganization.

 

Fly for fun, not for a paycheck, man. For now, go pick up a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki (sp?). It explores concepts on how to be financially free.

I had tunnel vision when I was 16 about wanting to fly for a career--had ZERO interest in business, real estate and the like. I sure wish I had this book (or something similar) when I was 16, because I sure wouldn't have gotten into this silly business.

I submit that if you could somehow quantify the work one does to get one's ratings, instruct, network, go to a regional, upgrade--only to sit reserve with no quality of life, then MAYBE get on at a major--only to sit reserve again, and equate that amount of work to researching, learning, and getting active in real estate, economics, etc., you would be financially free by age 30 and you could buy your own airplane.

Those 25 year olds you see getting on at Southwest and other majors are rarities, not the norm.

I truly respect those that say they have no regrets in life--but I regret getting into this goofy business. It was an eye-opening mistake. Thus, I'm learning new ways to get the hell out.

The very best of luck to you in whatever you wish to do.

 

Double post...