Expert: D. Norkus - 9/26/2007

Question
I have been taking flying lessons since I was 12. I am a junior in HS. I am planning on earning a bachelor's degree in aviation for a commrcial pilot. I am also a licensed glider pilot through Civil Air Patrol. I am currently a Lt. Colonel. I'm very serious about this.
I would like to have your ideas of colleges and the type of degree I should look at for emplyment. Also, what is the starting wage for a commercial pilot? What are the different pay scales at the present time? What experience do you look for in hiring a commercial pilot? I don't wan to make any mistakes planning this out. What other advise can you offer me? Any scholarships?

Answer
Chase

1) I would like to have your ideas of colleges and the type of degree I should look at for employment.

The type of degree? The major airlines prefer if not require a bachelors degree of their pilot applicants. The regionals will accept less. Your major? It really does not matter. The airlines only care that you have a degree, no matter what the subject, as it implies that you have can study, apply yourself and have critical thinking ability.

Should you major in aviation? Some think that is putting all your eggs in one basket should you ever get laid off as a pilot but if you simply must, here is a list of schools to consider:
http://uaa.auburn.edu/institutional.pdf

Personally, I majored in aviation and I kinda wish I had picked something else in retrospect.


2) What is the starting wage for a commercial pilot?

Here is the starting BASE gross pay for the U.S. regional airlines*:

American Eagle $1,800/mo x 12 = $21,600yr
Comair - $1,650/mo x 12 = $19,800/yr
Chautauqua - $1,650/mo x 12= $19,800/yr
Express Jet- $1,725/mo x 12 = $20,700/yr
Mesa - $1,596/mo/mo a 12 = $19,152/yr
Mesaba - $1,800/mo x 12 = $21,600/yr
Pinnacle $1,575/mo x 12 = $18.900/yr
Skywest $1,425/mo x 12 = $17,100/yr
Trans States $1,540 x 12 = $18,480/yr

*Monthly pay calculated using the airlines new hire hourly rate times their monthly pay hour guarantee only! No per diem is included.

Each company has a set 'minimum guarantee' flight hour pay per their pilot contract. This is generally about 75 hours per month but varies slightly by airline. They may fly less than 75 actual flight hours but they will still be paid that per their contractual guarantee. If they actually fly more hours than the minimum guarantee, they will then get paid for the greater amount of time flown instead, plus per diem. Flight crew make about $1-3 per hour in 'per diem' for every hour they are away from their domicile on a trip to cover expenses. This generally adds a few hundred dollars to their pay check.


3) What are the different pay scales at the present time?

The pay scales vary based on the collective bargaining agreement (labor contract) between the airline and their pilot group. Pay scales by airline are on the web here- http://www.airlinepilotpay.com

4) What experience do [the airlines] look for in hiring a commercial pilot?

The regional airlines look for multi-engine, instrument and night flying experience as well as total flight hours. In the past few years, their minimum application requirements (aka "minimums") have fallen drastically from 1,000-1,500 flight hours to 600-800 with a commercial pilot certificate, plus multi-engine and instrument ratings. Two (PSA & Piedmont) even have no minimum flight time requirements! Check out the regional mins here- http://airlinepilotcentral.com/resources/job_search_resources/regional_hiring_mi...
The major airlines require far more and applicants that are hired usually have far beyond the "mins" with several thousand hours flight hours, jet specific training or "type ratings" and their Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

You can read what type of educational background and flight times applicants had at each airline by reading the interview experiences posted at http://www.aviationinterviews.com

5) Any scholarships?

Flight scholarships have varied criteria and many are geographically, gender or association restricted. Most only pay a one time amount towards deferring the cost of training. You can find a listings of flight scholarships to see what you may qualify for at these links-
http://www.avscholars.com
http://www.flightscholarship.info
http://uaa.auburn.edu/scholarships.htm
The Civil Air Patrol also offers some, so be sure you inquire with them as well since you are a member.

6)What other advise can you offer me?
There is so much I'd like to say to each person who is thinking of going for this career. I really suggest familiarizing yourself with ALL the career related info you can so there will be no surprizes. What many dream about is often not the reality of it all. It is going to take a lot of hard work, and a lot of money, to make this career aspiration a reality! Additionally, a "big name" school or university isn't necessarily better than your local flight school. I know a pilot who graduated from ERAU with $100K in debt and another who went to ATP flight school for $45K and both got the same job opportunities. You need to figure out your own budget and what kind of education you want, then proceed to narrow down your choices.

I have summarized all that I think an aspiring airline pilot should know about the job here- http://www.pilotcareer.info
Additionally, I think you should spend some time on http://www.jetcareers.com as they have much info and a message board I think you can use too.

Good Luck
Dottie