Expert: D. Norkus - 7/23/2006

Question
Hello, I would like to know what one must do after school to be hired by an airline. I'm looking at Embry Riddel in particuar. So after I have graduated, am I airline ready? Or do I have to keep building up my hours at my own expense, before an airline will even look at me? My ultimate goal like many other aspiring pilots is to  fly in the "big leagues"(747's,777's,a380's), I really have no problem being away 4-5 days a week, or even moving to another country, if employment oppourtunities are better there. I realize competition is stiff, and that I probably will have to fly small and regional first. But how do I even get into the regionals, and then eventually move up to the big carriers? Thanks for consideration-Alex Esosito  

Answer
Alex

I get so many questions such as yours, I created a web site to help address the many FAQs that aspiring pilots have. There is so much to cover, it is really hard to address it all via a forum such as this. I suggest checking it out and getting back to me with any additional questions you have. It also covers the typical training and career paths:

http://www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.htm

Re: ERAU
No,  you won't be airline ready when you graduate- unless you manage to get some serious time instructing or doing some other odd job on the side as most graduate with <300 hours. Regionals usually require 1,000 hours. The pilots I work with who did their 4 year at ERAU had to instruct for a few years afterward to get to their 1,000 hours (that's after paying about $80K for their schooling).

Re: working abroad
As an American your chances of getting a job here at home are far better than trying to go abroad. In order to fly abroad, not only must you have a work permit for that country but yu must also have the appropriate license issued by that country. You can't just go abroad and apply for a job with a US pilots license and no right to work papers.

Again, please let me know if you have any specific questions after reading over all the subjects on my site and it's related informational links. It will really help you get the "big picture" about all the things you need to know about the career.

Dottie