AboutColin Woehrle Expertise Answer questions regarding FARs, VFR and IFR flight operations, the national
airspace system (NAS), communications with ATC, physiology, etc. I answer sincere questions
for aviation enthusiasts and flight students. If I can`t answer your question, I`ll try
my best to point you in the right direction.
(I do not answer questions asking how much it costs to fly from one place to another).
Experience Pilot for a leading west-coast regional airline. Ratings and certificates include: Flight Instructor (CFI, CFII), Commercial Pilot, Instrument, Single Engine Land/Multi-engine Land Airplane
Question I am currently 14 years old and in the ninth grade. I have a dream of one day becoming a commercial airline pilot for a major national airline. This dream is far beyond what I want to be when i "grow up." This is a true passion that I wish to fulfill. I understand the ups and downs (lots of 'em) of the airline industry, especially for the less-advanced regional airlines.
My first question is:
I noticed you answered the question of a certain High School senior, Nick. It was very helpful advice, especially since I received a pamphlet a while back from UND, a school that I immediately wanted to join.
However, your excellent advice only brought one thing--more questions. I will start by quoting you in the answer to Nick's question,
"Work on a 4-year degree simultaneously. It would probably be easiest to go to a school like UND and majoring in something like Air Traffic Control or Airport Management just because it would fit better with your flight courses and you could stay in aviation if you ever stopped flying."
I love the idea of having a backup plan as an ATC, but I am curious to know what you meant by taking a "4-year degree simultaneously." If I were to do that at UND, wouldn't I have to become an ATC, and not have a commercial certificate, multi-engine, or instrument rating? On the pamphlet I have, it seems to me to say that an ATC degree only gives you a private pilot certificate.
1. I would like to know if it is possible to work for a backup ATC degree at the same time as earning a commercial pilot certificate.
2. The second question I have (i hope i'm not boring you!) has to do with Regional Airlines. I have heard some not-so-great things about them: no retirement, no healthcare benefits, little pay, and extended periods away from home (to be expected with any flying career, though). This is why I strive to be a pilot for a major national airline. What are the odds of me being able to fulfill that goal, and would it be a good idea to use a regional airline as a "stepping stone" to gain experience required for a major airline?
Thank you so much for your help, I find your advice very helpful, and I would be able to better understand and specify my goal. Excuse the length of this question, but I am really hurtin' here! Please respond as soon as you're done filling out that VFR.
Thanks,
Isaac
Answer Hi Isaac,
Thanks for the great question. I'll answer in the order in which questions were asked.
1. You're correct, if you simply earned a degree in Air Traffic Control, you wouldn't graduate with the certificates and ratings to become a commercial pilot. Therefore you would need to add the courses that lead to these advanced certificates to your already demanding course work. It may take a bit longer than 4 years (and may not if you attend summer school), but it's entirely possible, and not unheard of. Email a UND guidance counselor to see what it would take for someone to double major in ATC and Commercial Aviation. Some classes will satisfy requirements for both majors.
2. Ah yes, the glorious regional airlines. Nearly every regional pilot uses his or her job as a stepping stone to secure a job with a major air carrier later on down the road. This being the case, dues must be paid in order to reap the rewards of a future 747 captain. The good news on this journey is that pretty much all regionals offer health care and retirement plans, to varying degrees, and the retirement plans are usually transferable to future jobs. Starting annual salaries are typically around $22,000. If you were to make a career with a regional, plan to top out somewhere in the vicinity of $100k/year after 10 years of service. To compare - majors airline captains top out anywhere from $140k-$300k/year depending on the airline. The time spent away from home is unfortunately something that just goes with being an airline pilot, regardless of whether you're with a regional or a major. This is what I dislike most.
If there is anything else I can answer for you, please don't hesitate to ask. Best of luck in your future plans!
