Calling all Commercial Airline pilots how did to where you are today? what training did you do?

Question

did you to go flying school? which one? and which airline do you work for?

did any of you join the marines, the navy, or the airforce?

Answer 1

You HAVE to go to flying school.

You have to have good eye site

5 years+ training

Answer 2

I learned to fly at my local county airport.  Flew with various instructors to gain the Commercial Certificate and the Instrument, Multi-engine, and Instructor ratings.  You do not have to go to a formal "flying school" or university aviation program, and you do not have to go through the military.

I worked on my ratings while completing a degree and a graduate program in physics at a nearby university.  I decided against the science career; I loved flying, so that was the way I went.

To build time, I gave instruction, flew charters, and did some back country light cargo flying.  I had an opportunity early in the process to fly air cargo in large piston engine cargo planes, and that really advanced my career.  The airline hiring executives were happy to see an applicant with a science degree and some time in heavier airplanes.

Then I joined a fine company as a 2nd Officer and moved counterclockwise around the flight deck over a period of 27 years.

That's similar to what most professional pilots do, and it can be very rewarding at times.  It also sucks sometimes, but so does any job.