I want to become a commercial airline pilot?

Question

I am a sixteen year old junior in high school and have always dreamed of being a commercial airline pilot. I have always been fascinated by planes and how they work so it would be amazing to actually fly for a living. I don't really know how to go about becoming one though, all i know is that you have to go to flight school, and it takes many hours of actual flying to become one.

Basically my questions are:

1. do you have to go to a college or university to become a commercial airline pilot?

2. what is the average salary for a commercial airline co-pilot? captain?

3. are you away from home for long periods of time while working as a pilot?

4. what can i do now as a sixteen year old (i dont really have the money to get my single engine plane liscence)?

Thanks!

Answer 1

1 yes you go to flying school for Apx three years and study physics in high school

2 depends on company eg. in the company I work for an experienced F.O can earn 40k per annum a Cpt can earn up to 100,000 Many company's offer there pilots extras as one friend of mine flyes private planes and he gets 5,000 a month for clothes or anything he needs plus his wages

3 yes you can be away a lot about 15-20 days per month .But if you get a job like me and my partner we are home every single night

4 now you can keep your self up to date on changes in the industry such as new developments