Do you have to go to the airforce to be a pilot for a commercial airline like southwest?

Question

would it be better to go to the airforce or military or should i go to purdue university and go to aviation technology?

Answer 1

The main thing you need is pilot experience.  Certainly you can get that in the Air Force if you qualify for pilot training (by no means does everybody qualify), but a more certain way, if you have the time and resources, is to go to a flight school.  In order, you get your private rating, instrument rating, commercial rating, instructors rating, and build up time to eventually get your air transport rating.  This will take a few years, and the cost will run into six figures -- some of which you will earn as you go.  Visit a fixed base operator at your local airport to learn more.

Answer 2

No.  Get your ratings locally, and your college degree wherever you want in whatever you want.

Answer 3

Nope.  I was on SWA last week, and neither pilot came from the armed forces.  You need 1000 pic turbine and a 737 type rating to work for SWA.  Just get the pic time as soon as you can, and by then you will know how to get the type.  If you don't know the terms, pic means pilot in command, which is usually the captain.  Sometimes it can also mean check airman, but you will learn about that later.  You generally build time faster at a regional airline than in the service, depending on what you are flying, but it takes awhile to become a captain at some regionals.  Either way, you will need a degree, so get that first.  Then you can decide if the Air Force is for you, or if you should go to a small airline right away.  Good luck.

Answer 4

No, you don't HAVE to, but it can help.

Flying for the Air Force, if you can qualify to do so, will let you build up hours while being paid all the way. This is especially useful if you can get into flying transport-type (cargo, tanker, or AWACS) aircraft. Since the hottest competition will be for the fast movers, this ought not to pose a problem.

Of course, you CAN learn to fly on your own dime. This usually takes longer, is bloody expensive, and can be frustrating as #@!!. For those who have the fever, though, it's all worth it.

Answer 5

No you donot need air force experience to be a commercial pilot. Do what suits you best.

Answer 6

You have to have a degree to go into the Air Force and be a pilot.  Go to college and get your degree.  Then you can decide if you want to go into the Air Force or go to flight school.  By the way, a degree in Aviation technology will not make you a pilot either.  As mentioned in other answers here, you have to have a pilot license.  Also, going in the USAF to be a pilot does not mean you will be on heavys (C-5, ect) that might help you get a job as an airline pilot later.  They could make you a fighter pilot.