Expert: D. Norkus - 1/12/2005

Question
hi i am graduating from college this spring with dual degrees in history and anthropology and also with a secondary teaching certificate in history. although i have the teaching degree, teaching has always been something that i have never really been passionate about.  Before i get into a field that i may regret, i want to explore the possiblity of becoming an airline pilot.

My question is: in order for me to become an airline pilot in the shortest amount of time, would i have my best chance if i joined the air force? for me, having to pay thousands and going to college all over again really isn't something i am wanting to do. since becoming a pilot is something i am extremely passionate about, and i am willing to work hard for the opportunity, what are my options? Note, however i just can't afford to pay for any more schooling. But i am willing to join the air force for a 4 year span if that means when i am done with the air force i can go to work as a pilot. however, i am really unfamiliar with the FAA requirements that would be fulfilled while in the air force. in otherwords, would i have to sign on for more than 4 years to get a proper FAA pilots license? any information to help guide me towards my goal will be greatly appreciated.

thankyou in advance for your consideration and reply.

dan

Answer
Dan

>>>My question is: in order for me to become an airline pilot in the shortest amount of time, would i have my best chance if i joined the air force?

Absolutely not. The commitment for an Air Force pilot is about 10 years from what I have heard. Not to mention it isn't as simple as just signing up and poof- you become an Air Force pilot. There are not as many slots available as in years past and the competition to get appointed one is extremely stiff. Once in training, many also wash out. While it is the cheapest route for you personally to get trained, the commitment for any armed forces pilot slot will be longer than it seems you are looking to invest. The armed forces are not a free training school for the airlines. The government puts a lot of time and money into each military aviator. In order to protect their investment, the commitment is a fair amount of time.

>>>"...having to pay thousands and going to college all over again really isn't something i am wanting to do. since becoming a pilot is something i am extremely passionate about, and i am willing to work hard for the opportunity, what are my options?

Military or civilian are your options. The military will cost you nothing, and the civilian training about $40K. The civilian route is by far the fastest. You could probably get a regional job in about 3 years from your first lesson if you were determined and flew a lot.


>>>>Note, however i just can't afford to pay for any more schooling. But i am willing to join the air force for a 4 year span if that means when i am done with the air force i can go to work as a pilot.

There is no way this is going to happen. After a 4 year investment, you will only be a pilot for the Air Force, not the airlines. Your commitment will be far from over after a mere 4 years.

>>>"however, i am really unfamiliar with the FAA requirements that would be fulfilled while in the air force. would i have to sign on for more than 4 years to get a proper FAA pilots license?"

The military pilots meet different requirements and get different licenses than the FAA issued ones. Once a military aviator gets out and seeks employment as a civilian they need to get their license converted and pass the civilian FAA tests.

You say that you are passionate about flying and "want to explore the possiblity of becoming an airline pilot" and seem to want it ASAP. But have you ever taken any lessons? I highly suggest that if not, you do. I suggest getting your Private Pilot and even your Instrument rating before you commit massive sums of time (or money) to a career you only think you will like. While many enjoy the Private, they are overwhelmed by the Instrument. Flying for the airlines is a lot like several instrument lessons a day- except you have passengers. You can certainly become a pilot if you have the determination, but the career you get and what your expectations of what kind of career you might have may not be the same. I don't want to sound discouraging, but so many people seem to not have a clear picture of what this career entails except what they see in the movies. Yes, flying is a cool job but many see it only as they dream about it, not the reality of the daily grind. The profession has been affected so much by wage cuts, being an airline pilot is not all the glamour and money that it used to be- that's for sure! The airline business can be very unstable at times. (There are still thousands of pilot on furlough from the airlines post 9/11.) Can you eventually make a reasonable living? (Like $40K) After probably 7-10 years from your first lesson depending how your career progresses. The paying your dues years are hard in this industry. The first few years can be painfully low paid, i.e. less than $20K/yr. (As a new hire I was taking home less than $1400/mo with a regional airline.)

You should really see if you like it as much as you think you do by getting your Private Pilot and Instrument rating. Then you can decide if you want to go all the way. If not, you still have what it takes to fly for a hobby to get away from it all.

Since all you need to know about making a jump into this business cannot possibly be covered in this forum, I will suggest some reading to educate yourself:

My site about getting your license and pilot careers-

www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

By reading this page you will find anwsers to common questions about flight training, time building via the civilian route and what to expect for pay and lifestyle in the airline business.

These sites also have an abundance of information and have message boards where you can post and read other messages-

http://www.jetcareers.com & http://www.flightinfo.com

I suggest posting any questions you may have about the military route at those forums if you do not already find enough to anwser your questions there.

Good Luck
Dottie