I'm currently 14 years old and I have around 40 hours of flight time in a C172. I've been flying since I was 12 and have had my life planned out since I was 9. Haha. I would like to have an airline pilot's decision regarding my "plan" of becoming an airline captain.
I will continue flying until I get my private. I can't solo until I'm 16, and can't get my PPL until 17. After I get my PPL, my gift will be a down payment for a Cirrus SR20. So I'm going to continue gaining hours in that, but I'm also going to stay away from getting certificates. (As requested from the college I want to go to). Next, I'll enroll into Liberty University's School of Aeronautics, in Lynchburg, VA, to get my Bachelors in Science of Aeronautics - With my concentration on Corporate/Commercial Aviation. While I'm attending LU for 4 years, I will be going to the Air Force ROTC Program based out of the University of Virginia. When I get out of college I will have my CPL and hopefully my CFI. I want to go into the Air Force for how ever many years it is... I've heard from one person it was 7, and another 4 years. Hopefully flying Cargo jets (C5, C17) or the B52, or even the KC135.. Ya know,... heavier jets. Then I'll come out with putting in applications for Delta, United, American, etc.
My main question is.. How good is this plan? - How far will it get me?
Now, I realize I won't come out flying the 777/747s, but just like any other pilot, my goal is to HOPEFULLY one day fly the 777/747s. By using this plan, will I get accepted pretty quick in a major airline? Will I come out flying the 737 or higher? Will I start out as a Captain or F/O?
I have also considered corporate.. The only reason why I did, however, was for their scheduling. (Only working like 9hrs a month and getting payed $95,000 a year!). Airline's pay are a tad higher. I could score a 737 job flying for about $100,000 a year as a Jr. Captain with a major airline. How cool is it to get payed that much, for something that you love doing?! Anyways, the next question is, how is airline scheduling? I understand your schedule comes out a month before, and in order to make changes you need have more seniority, but how much CAN you change your schedule as a Jr Pilot? And, on AVERAGE how many days out of a month are you gone? ... around 20?
I know this post has a bunch of questions, and is fairly long.. But please answer back. I'm looking to get as much answers as I can. I love to look at different opinions from different pilots. That's why this plan has been changed so many times! But I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to get my dream to come true.
Thanks!
- Ryan