Student pilot to Delta Air Lines in <12 years
 

Some dude on Jetcareers joined as a student pilot in 2003 and just got a class date at Delta. That's pretty good, less than 12 years from student pilot to major airline pilot.

Not uncommon. I did it in less. And i know of several others that have done the same

Before the recent 1500 rule there were programs where you could go from zero time, to the right seat of a CRJ in < 1 year. To begin college/flight training @ 18 years old and to make it to a major by 30 years old is no huge feat.

Cool story bro.

Work hard and do the Delta internship, you can do it quicker than 12. Had a friend of mine I interned with over at AA and that got to American in 10.

That actually seems kind of slow to me. Assuming 17 is the age that you started to fly/got your private, anyone hired at a major (and there are many of them) under the age of 29 beats that record.

I bet hearing that guys are making it from zero to a legacy in about 10 years is grating to the guys that have been regional pilots for as long, or longer.

There are people doing it in less, but often on affirmative action. I know in 2006 timeframe, Continetal was hiring 26 yr olds with no TPIC, but the starting pay was an insulting 30K/ yr, no healthcare for 6mos.

Timing and luck is 90% of it. 9% is having a sweet degree from ERAU. The other 1% is dual given in a 172.

Yeah, but the guy in the example got on with Delta. Everyone wants to get on there.