Commercial Airline Pilots?

Question

I am 16 years old, and have been training to be a commerical pilot since 9 yrs old at wellington international and then came to australia were i have now got my students pilots license. I am very dedicated and passionate about this industry and want to get in early.

Can you give me any advice on how to get myself into an airline in the future or give me some contacts which would get my foot into the door from now so to speak.

Answer 1

I have a friend who is an instructor also. He just got hired on to pinnacle airlines with only 350 hours. They waived the 500 hour requirement because he had a crj course under his belt. So the regional airlines are defiantly hiring. But you'd better get a job before the layoffs trickle down to the regionals.

Answer 2

Well probably join the air force when your 18. because you have to bank up like 1000 or so hours of flight time to get your Commercial pilots license.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Get your instructors license, and work/breath/live at the airport where you work.  You will come across professional people who own/charter their own planes - they area excellent contacts, and if you treat them right, they'll help in the future.

the hours will build quickly, you'll make a little cash, meet great friends in the same situation.

best of luck.

Answer 4

Whatever you do..DO NOT join the military.  That is career suicide these days.  Its not horrible, its just much easier to do it the civilian route.  Get all your ratings, find a job as an instructor, banner tower, traffic watch pilot, or anything else you can find.  When you build 1000 or so hours, throw a resume at every single regional airline you can find.  Some will be hiring.  Study your butt off for the interview and get some simulator training if they have a sim ride.

Becoming an airline pilot is about tenacity, not about connections.  You might need to interview at a couple places before you get hired but thats how it goes.  

And don't be in too much of a hurry.  Most airlines will not hire you until you are at least 21, sometimes 23 depending on the company.