Expert: D. Norkus - 3/11/2008

Question
Hi my name is Damian and i'm 19 years old, a first semester sophomore attending a 4 year University, and I want to become an airline pilot. I thought about trying my luck by pursuing a flight career in the Air Force for the experience and flight hours but from what I'm told and from the previous statements from your other questions I decided it wasn't such a good idea. I've tried looking at many websites for information on the best path for me to pursue becoming an airline pilot but i'm still kind of lost. I just have a few specific questions..

Is my major in college a factor or important at all trying to pursue becoming an airline pilot?

If so, what are some of the most beneficial majors for becoming an airline pilot?

In your opinion, what is the more sure or best path for becoming an airline pilot?

Is there anything I can do as of right now to help give me a more competitive edge?

What advice would you give an aspiring airline pilot?

Any advice or information would be crucially beneficial to me, and thank you for your time.

-Damian

Answer
Damian

1)Is my major in college a factor or important at all trying to pursue becoming an airline pilot?

Not at all. Airlines only care that you have one. These days the regionals are taking people with a two year oreven a H.S. diploma. However...if you ever want to move on to a major airline, you really are not a competitive candidate for a pilot job without your bachelors degree. The majors use the 4 yr degree as a tool to narrow their applicant pool.

2)In your opinion, what is the more sure or best path for becoming an airline pilot?
These days, the regionals are hurting for pilots, so just about any route you can take to meet their hiring requirements will get you the job. The quickest route would be an airline affiliated bridge program ($50,000K & up), but that is not the only route. You can also train at your local school or flying club and still get a job with 500-600 hours). It may take a year or so longer, but it may very well be the more affordable route for you to avoid major debt. Not in recent decades have new hires been getting the job with such low levels or flight experience (200-300 flight hours for bridge program students).  I address the roues one can take here- http://www.pilotcarer.info

Additionally, http://www.jetcareers.com & http://www.airlinepiotcentral.com are websites that are must read for aspiring pilots.  

3)Is there anything I can do as of right now to help give me a more competitive edge?
Start building your hours. However, keep in mind the more condensed your flight training, the less money you will spend repeating lessons by dragging your training out. If you are going to do this, jump in with both feet and get 'er done!

4)What advice would you give an aspiring airline pilot?
Work hard, do your training as quickly as posssible and do everything you can to keep your debt as low as possible. Once hired you will appreciate not having a huge student loan over your head when you are starting out at $21,000. After 5 years I still am not making the $38,000 I made in a ground based job back in 1998! Depending on where you go to work though, our pay progression may be faster. (All depends on the airlines specific pay scale.)

After reading over the basics on those links, let me know what else you need.

Dottie