How to become a pilot for a commercial airline?

Question

After I graduate from college with a major in something unrelated to piloting, how could I become an airline pilot? Would I have to go to a school full time somewhere for 4 more years or would I just have to go to school for like a year and have lots of flight time in training?

Any information is helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

Checkout sites like www.atp.com they have programs that will let you achieve what you might like. They will set you up with a flight counselor to see if you are pilot material and get a feel for your seriousness in the endeavor. I can tell you one thing right now, and I think others will agree. It is very expensive, especially if you aspire to be an airline pilot.

If you are young enough and have a 4 yr degree already, I would strongly consider the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and enroll in their officer training program. Check out their site , I think you`ll be impressed with what they will offer you. Room, board and salary along with training. You can`t beat that anywhere. I think you have to commit to 5 yrs of service.

While you serve you will be building flight time that will help when you get out and try out for the airline job. I am assuming you are in the U.S. if not maybe your country has something similar.

Answer 2

If you want to start to become a pilot look for aviation classes. You will probably start flying a little cessn, but then you will know the basics to learn about commercial aircraft like a 737, 757, etc. Eventhough you might not believe much pilots learn  baisics for  Flight Simulator.

Answer 3

One good way is join the military... I would at least consider it. They will give you flight training.  (I know it is not for everyone and if it isn't for you no big deal...it is just worth a thought)

The Navy and Air Force have great officer programs for pilots. Many of the airlines hire former military. You could go reserve.

No, I am not a recruiter. I am a veteran though. Good luck at what ever you decide.

Answer 4

you have to be good at math, degree's and stuff and for your spare time you can take pilots lessons mine was around 100$ an hr, you need 40hrs before you can get your license and the price isnt bad since your using there plane with a instructor and youll find out if its really what you wanna do

Answer 5

Become a pilot in the Air force first(get good grades). Then when you get out of the air force they will pick you before they pick someone who was not in the Air force.

Answer 6

you better EAT SLEEP, math [:

Answer 7

You have to be very good in school get good grades and be physically fit and your vision has to be good.Take flying lessons it increases your chances of being a pilot

Answer 8

I think it's pretty funny that some said you have to be good at math to be a pilot.  I've flown with plenty of dopes who probably failed algebra.  Anyway, to become a major airline pilot...

No, you don't have to go back to a 4 year school.  Military is a good option, but for some, it's not one at all due to eyesight (like me), or other health reasons, or just plain luck.  If you do go military, you can't just walk in to a recruiting office and expect to be placed in the cockpit of an F-16.  It's tough.  Go to your local small airport's flight school and get a private pilot's license.  Plan on spending $6K or so.  It could take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, depending on you.  After that, you can go a few different routes.  Some keep renting time and getting their ratings at that same small airport.  Others go away to a full-time school, where you can knock out all your other ratings in anywhere from a few months to a year or 2.  When you are eligible for your first airline job (which will be a regional airline unless your dad works for a major and you're really lucky), depends on the airline industry and timing.  Shortly after 9/11, you had to have well over a thousand hours and lots of multi-engine time.  Eventually, it got so low that some airlines hired you with just 250 hours and a commercial ticket.  Many people work as a flight instructor in order to build enough time.  I'm not sure what it's like now, but I can tell you that it's tough and some regionals are furloughing pilots.  From your first hour to your first flight as a regional airline pilot will probably take at least 2 years, maybe 3 or 4.

In order to make the jump from regional pilot to major airline pilot depends on lots of things.  Main ones being luck and who you know.  Most airlines require time as a captain.  If you chose a regional that's not doing well, it could take a very long time to become captain.  Remember, be nice to every pilot you ever meet and always network.  You never know who will be on the hiring board of an airline you're trying to get a job with and that's what it takes to make it.

Regarding the comment about airlines picking air force pilots first over civilians ones... a long time ago that was true, but not anymore.  It depends on who's on the hiring board.  It's more about who you know, rather than if you flew an F-15 or a Beech 1900.

Answer 9

You'd have to get your private pilot's license and then get a job for a small time airline, or toting banners along the beach or something... Then once you gain experience you'll have a better shot with getting a job, however the pilot market is pretty flooded, so it's a long way to the top... you'll be flying crappy commuter routes for a solid couple of years, with as many as 10-12 legs a day, not the glitz and glam as a major commercial pilot, however when you finally make it to the big leagues, you'll be making bank and be able to travel the world and get paid for it.

any way you decide to go about it, it's going to take time and a lot of b/s work.

Answer 10

Get private, commercial, instrument, airplane instructor, and instrument instructor instruction locally.  

Be studious.  

Fly frequently.  

Stay ahead by passing your written examinations well ahead of time.

Build flight time in entry level pilot jobs.  

Stay incident-free.  Stay accident-free.  Stay DUI-free

  

Get well-informed.  

Get multiengine rated.  

With enough flight experience get hired as a charter or commuter airline copilot.

Keep upgrading your credentials.  

Keep upgrading into faster  aircraft.