Becoming a pilot for a major airline?

Question

I'm only 16 but I'm just wondering what do you need to do to become a pilot for like continental or any major airline. How hard is it to do without joining any military services. thanks for the help.

Answer 1

The main thing you need to give your attention to right now is just doing a good job of the tasks that are on your plate today.  You will be old enough to consider the technical details of your training and career development sooner than you think.

Right now, concentrate on being a person of good character and achievement.  Stay out of trouble:  no drugs, no alcohol, no trouble with the law like stealing or assault.  A reputation as a person of good character and social skills will work in your favor.

Take the courses you want to take, and talk it over with your school guidance counselor and your family.  Make sure you do well in mathematics and sciences, and also spend some time on civics and government, and also on geography.  A professional pilot has to have a really good understanding of law and regulations, and has to know where things are around the planet.

At the same time, do well in some physical pursuit.  You can't be a couch potato.  Do okay in Phys Ed, and find a personal sport that will help you develop strength and coordination.  This is important.

Also, read everything you can get your hands on about airplanes and aviation.  The more detailed knowledge you have, the easier it will be for you to learn the things you need to know to pass your aviation tests when the time comes.  Spend time in the library and read all the books and magazines about aviation and related subjects.

If you want to go by way of the military (and that's the most certain way of getting into the flight deck of an airliner), see your Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps recruiter.  You can go to see them any time, even at age 13-14.  Your recruiter will advise you what college to go to and what to major in to maximize your chances of getting into military flight training.

When you are about 17, find the nearest flight school and go talk to the instructors.  Sign up for an introductory flight, and see what it feels like to fly a real airplane.  Do it that way, and avoid computerized flight simulators like FSX.  The simulators will teach you bad habits and give you a mistaken impression of what it's like to fly a real airplane.  Get some experience in the real thing before you mess with simulators.  This is important.

Get your private pilot certificate as soon as you can.  It will get you a head start on whatever additional training you need, either civilian or military.

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 2

Well to fly a major airline you need alot of experience,first  you get a job you'll be flying small jets that carry around 7 people but flying like 17-18 times amounth but thats good then when you get a certain amaount of hours you get hired to nother one like charter,then after alot of ours like that then you can fly those major airlines and 747 stuff

Goodluck

Take care

Answer 3

By delaying, you're in line behind guys who soloed upon turning 14.

Begin flight training locally.  Buy the study materials for the FAA examinations..  Pass the written examinations.  Pass the practical tests for your Private, Commercial, Multiengine, and Instructor credentials.  Fly in entry level pilot jobs, then fly in corporate or airline jobs.  Upgrade to Captain and ATP.  Become a check pilot.  Upgrade to faster aircraft.  Get a year+ of captain time on a large jet.  Apply to major airlines all along the way.  .  

Answer 4

If you would like to become an airline pilot there is no time like the present to start... if you want to start training at your local airport check the yellowpages or do an internet search for flight schools in your area... you could take flight lessons after school and during summer and you could at the age of 17 get your license upon taking your Private Pilot test...  Then you could train for your commercial and get your Certified Flight Instructor license and then flight instruct...

The airlines want you to have a lot of experience built up with regionals starting their minimum hours for hire at 400 or so and the majors (delta, southwest, continental) going up to as much as 3000 hours...

To fill that void without paying for 3000 hours... which would in no way be worth it... you can flight instruct and go to college... then move on the next best job... eventually becoming an airline pilot...

check out the website...

Answer 5

Do not become a commercial pilot.

Most Major Airline Pilots are bearing the stress of 50% pay cuts, the loss of their pension, and working second jobs to make ends meet. Many are in bankruptcy and losing their homes.

Pilots can barely concentrate on keeping the flight safe, because Airline Management, while giving each of their Executives millions in bonus $$ each year, are skimping on pilot salaries, fuel, maintenance, and ground safety personnel. All to keep ticket prices and Pilot salaries as they were in 1980.

Study medicine or financial investment or law or computers or anything that will pay you according to the responsibility you have over people's lives.  Flying will not.