Any Commercial Pilots here?

[tcco94]

If there are any commercial pilots here I have some questions..
If there is a certain website forums or blogs that talks about this stuff that would be great  :D

1.Do most pilots get there training from the Military?
2.I know pilots are away from home alot but how does a pilot schedule go (I know this is diffrent for every pilot) but is it like a month you fly a month your off?
3.How much does a new pilot get paid(if you dont mind me asking) and how much does a pilot thats been flying for 20-30 years.
4.Do you get any retirement benefits for flying for alot of years/hours?
5.What benefits do you get while flying with your airline?
6.If I got to a University for 4 years get my bachelors degree, join the ROTC for maybe the Air Force if they have one then when I graduate go to officer training then get my pilot training will that most likely work out fine and then after my training join a commercial airline?
7. Do you get to pick your routes?

This is all I can think of any answers would be great.

Thanks alot  :D

[Mobius]

I can help with a few I think...

1.  Some do, but many don't.  There are a lot of schools out there that are there just to train new airline pilots.

2.  Don't know.

3.  Check out this website:

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines.html

You can look at what each airline pays it's pilots.

4.  Don't know.

5.  Don't know.

6.  If you do join the military, you'll have a 10 year commitment that starts once you complete training, so they will train you and expect you to fly for them for 10 years.  But, if you do go through ROTC, that means your commitment is up when you're 34 years old, so there's plenty of time left to fly for the airlines.

7.  Don't know.

[tcco94]

Okay well I have read about serving the 10 years and thanks for the information so far and the website. I knew there were flight schools but I thought alot of people went through the military so they dont have to pay all that money becuase I know the military pilot training is free but you have to give them 10 years back.

When your doing your comitment for 10 years as there pilot will the assign you what to do or do you get to pick?

Thanks

[DaveSims]

I think these days flying for the military is more lucrative than flying for the airlines.  Years ago most airline pilots were former military, but that changed when flight time requirements dropped and the military required longer contracts for pilots.

[C]

Okay well I have read about serving the 10 years and thanks for the information so far and the website. I knew there were flight schools but I thought alot of people went through the military so they dont have to pay all that money becuase I know the military pilot training is free but you have to give them 10 years back.

I think "free" is the wrong word - when the bad guys are firing rpgs at you and manpads out of then nasty places, then you won't be thinking of it as "free". Anyway, if you're thinking of joining the military purely so you don't have to pay for an ATPL, you probably should be looking elsewhere.

When your doing your comitment for 10 years as there pilot will the assign you what to do or do you get to pick?

You may get to express a preference, but ultimately you'll be told what you're doing.

[Mobius]

When your doing your comitment for 10 years as there pilot will the assign you what to do or do you get to pick?

You may get to express a preference, but ultimately you'll be told what you're doing.

Pretty much that.  It depends on how well you do in flight schools.  There are a certain number of each aircraft available to each class, depending on what the Air Force needs, so the top of the class gets first pick then on down the line.

[RitterKreuz]

I was a commercial airline pilot until about 4 weeks ago.

1.Do most pilots get there training from the Military?

Its really pretty 50/50. I knew about a fair number of airline pilots who came up through the civilian ranks, and i knew a fair number of those who were past military.

2.I know pilots are away from home alot but how does a pilot schedule go (I know this is diffrent for every pilot) but is it like a month you fly a month your off?

If you are on reserve (which sucks) you are placed on call for 5 days with a possibility of extension into a 6th day. you have no idea what you will be doing on those days other than sitting at home between pre-determined times (like 4am - 2pm) OR sitting at the airport for 8 hours a day and all you do is wait for a phone call. You might get called to do a single flight, or you might be assigned 6 rigorous days of exhausting trips... you just never know. (regardless of how long you sit or fly you only get paid 3 flight hours depending on the company)

if you are off reserve, and you are a "line holder" you pick up a "bid packet" with all the listed flight sequences on it. a flight sequence will usually consist of 4 days of flying, working up to 14 hours on duty per day. If you see a flight sequence you want to fly for the month, you pick the flight sequence's three digit code and enter it into the company computer. assuming another pilot senior to you has not already selected the sequence - its yours - but for this reason you should always pick several sequences.

presto - for the whole month - this is your sequence you will fly for 4 days on, 3 days off until it comes time to pick the next months sequences.

seniority has everything to do with it. everyone wants flight sequences with Friday, Saturday and Sunday off... so those go fast. Also on holiday months like December... flight sequences with the 23rd 24th and 25th off go really quick so that's another thing to watch.

not all airlines do a 4 day on 3 day off sequence... some do 7 on and 7 off, and different day on day off combinations etc.

3.How much does a new pilot get paid(if you dont mind me asking) and how much does a pilot thats been flying for 20-30 years.

this is the biggest of myths in aviation... pilot pay... a new pilot for any regional airline in the united states will start off at about $18,500 per year. the running joke is "what is the difference between an airline pilot and a pizza?" and the punchline is "a pizza can actually feed a family of four." every year you get an automatic raise, but it only amounts to about $1.50 per flight hour (you only get paid when your actually flying by the way). Given the current state of the industry, it could take you as many as 15 years to reach the qualifications of a major airline pilot. but the transition from the regional pay to major pay is still difficult. even first and second year pilots at the majors are paid less than about $30,000 per year.

the ultimate goal is to become a heavy metal captain on transatlantic routes. and with 30-40 years in the business you can do that, its not until you reach that point that you really start making money. the going rate is between $150K to $200K per year depending on how much over time you can get. but those spots are coveted by all pilots in the industry and are very hard to get to.

4.Do you get any retirement benefits for flying for alot of years/hours?

the standard 401K business... letting the airline manage your retirement is a risky business. if the airline declares bankruptcy, or seeks financial concessions - the retirement plan is usually the first to go. almost every pilot i know has a private third party retirement plan not related to the company.

5.What benefits do you get while flying with your airline?

Flight benefits are probably the main thing. your spouse, your parents, and your dependent children have flight benefits and fly for free on "standby". with flights operating at full capacity and with the number of delays and cancellations though flying standby is a nightmare... and you really have to plan a whole day (sometimes two whole days) just to travel a seemingly small distance. more often than not, your family will be split up onto different flights, and though flight benefits sound great they are often a real pain in the rear. you will almost exclusively use flight benefits to commute to work if you live in a city other than your base city.

also there is the medical, dental and vision insurance which is basically what you would get with any career.

6.If I got to a University for 4 years get my bachelors degree, join the ROTC for maybe the Air Force if they have one then when I graduate go to officer training then get my pilot training will that most likely work out fine and then after my training join a commercial airline?

nobody can guarantee you that obviously... i have known pilots from so many different backgrounds that its crazy. i dont even think you would have to do all of that to get a job with an airline on down the road. you have a lot of options. and pilot slots with the air force can be difficult to get.

7. Do you get to pick your routes?

when your seniority is high enough, yes... i worked for the airline for about 3 years before i was finally starting to get my choice of routes.

on the other hand there are pilots at American Airlines i know who have been on reserve for 7 years. which as i have said... reserve is the airline equivalent to hell.

ILL ADD THIS:

i can see by your avatar that you are a FedEx man

[skysurfer2010]

I'm not going to reply to all of your questions since RitterK answered them.

I just want to offer some advice. I use to want to work for the airlines but I'm flying corporate and love it. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I assume you're young? Keep your options wide open. Your priorities change as you get older, the economy changes, and the more open minded you are to a flying career the better off you'll be.

The military is a great option. They pay very well, you'll retire very young with a great retirement package, and you'll be flying top notch equipment. However, if you're goal is just to save some money and split then you better make sure the military life is for you because you'll be giving them 10 years of your life to become a pilot. The benefit is that when you come out of the military it shouldn't be too difficult to find a job.

As said above, starting salary at a regional is pure crap. Hell, starting salary anywhere in aviation is insulting. If you decide to not go into the military, expect to work quite a few years building time making pennies. Seriously. I hope you have a good relationship with family members because you'll probably be living with them for a long time! Trust me, I know! haha  :)

The best advice I can give you is that if you truly want to become a pilot because of your passion for flying, then go for it. Otherwise pick a different profession because you won't make it. I know that sounds blunt and harsh, but it's very difficult, very demanding, very time consuming, and very expensive to become a professional pilot. Those that make it as a professional pilot do it because we love to fly and can't imagine doing anything else for a career. The money comes much (MUCH) later down the line.

[tcco94]

Okay well I dont mean it by the way I say joining the military just for the pilot training. I know that you can get called into a war or anything whenever they want you to. I know they boss you around and everything also. When I was little there was two things, I wanted to be in the military but I dint wanna be on the ground but I dint wanna be a pilot becuase back then I thought I would crash. Now ive played simulator alot and I know its not exactly the same and stuff but I know that aviation is the top thing I wanna do and if any other job or anything comes in and I decided to do it ill be honest ill still fly even if its not commercial and its my own prop. When im 17 im going to get my pilots license because that how I want to start but the only branches I want to join are the Air Force or the Navy. There tough but im going to try my hardest for the Air Force after seeing the thunderbirds when I was 9 I loved the Air Force.

I am only young im 14, Freshman and ive already contacted the Air Force and Naval academy because thats my first plan but the chances of me getting into there are very slim and agian its tough but hey I have dreams 8-). I do have a back-up plan to go to College (University) and im looking into getting my degree in Aeronatical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. I probally dont have the money for all the training and the Military wouldove been a choice even if I did becuase to me it sounds exciting except the bossing around will be hard but as the years go on im sure it would have to stop if your an officer but I can always be wrong. I know the commitment is long 10 years is awhile but flying for the Air Force would be even better as long as im flying. Im not a fighter jet guy thats not what I wanna do I wanna sorta fly maybe the C-130's, MD-11, sortof in that region.

Another thing well I knew I wouldent be getting payed 100-200K when I first started but lets say I do fly for the Air Force for 10 years after all the commitment and I wanna take up Commercial flying would it be an advantage that I did that than rather someone who joined earlyer from getting there training out of the military.

Usually when I ask the questions about the military I sortof put them in the wrong words. Ive seen the videos, and I know its only 10 times harder and they can pretty much tell you to do anything although as my Dad tells me all the time if I join the Military I have to be an Officer because he doesent want me to be a lower class, although there isnt anything wrong with it just to become a pilot anyways ill need College anyways and join the Military after College would well after Officer Training put me in that position as long as I can pass.

Thanks for all your answers also. Im dont wanna become a pilot for the cash anyways because if I did it would just take me so damn long it would be a waste to do that and I am doing this for the love I have this young for aviation.

[RitterKreuz]

I dont wanna become a pilot for the cash anyways because if I did it would just take me so damn long it would be a waste to do that and I am doing this for the love I have this young for aviation.

my suggestion in that case is to marry a Doctor or Lawyer.

When i was in my teens with my dreams aimed at the sky it was easy to say "money isnt the issue... i just want to fly."

but now that i have allowed 10 years in aviation to pass and thus have grown 10 years older my line of thinking has changed.

nowthat those years have passed....  i just want to be able to afford my mortgage, kids, my car, my groceries, the electric bill, the water bill and insurance and every other P.I.T.A. thing that comes along and i want to be able to do all of that without spending 70% of my year away from home living pay check to pay check .  ;D

so, make sure you latch onto the coat tails of a good woman who will be earning lots of cash.

i know "money isnt everything" but when you dont have any it peaks in importance  ;)

[Thumper04]

C-130's, MD-11, sortof in that region.

Usually when I ask the questions about the military I sortof put them in the wrong words. Ive seen the videos, and I know its only 10 times harder and they can pretty much tell you to do anything although as my Dad tells me all the time if I join the Military I have to be an Officer because he doesent want me to be a lower class, although there isnt anything wrong with it just to become a pilot anyways ill need College anyways and join the Military after College would well after Officer Training put me in that position as long as I can pass.

1) C-130's and MD-11's aren't even close, just for the record. You'd be thinking of something more like the C-5 or C-17. If you do get into the airlift track for an active duty pilots, hours will pretty much be falling from the sky. They're busy as can be right now.

2) And keep in mind, you may not want to be "Lower Class" (Which is called Enlisted btw), but odds are that there's a 23 year old E-5 out there with no college education that decides if that plane is safe to fly or not, so whether or not your "Upper Class" (AKA Officers), your pretty much dependent on us minion types that fly a ratchet.

[tcco94]

C-130's, MD-11, sortof in that region.

Usually when I ask the questions about the military I sortof put them in the wrong words. Ive seen the videos, and I know its only 10 times harder and they can pretty much tell you to do anything although as my Dad tells me all the time if I join the Military I have to be an Officer because he doesent want me to be a lower class, although there isnt anything wrong with it just to become a pilot anyways ill need College anyways and join the Military after College would well after Officer Training put me in that position as long as I can pass.

1) C-130's and MD-11's aren't even close, just for the record. You'd be thinking of something more like the C-5 or C-17. If you do get into the airlift track for an active duty pilots, hours will pretty much be falling from the sky. They're busy as can be right now.

2) And keep in mind, you may not want to be "Lower Class" (Which is called Enlisted btw), but odds are that there's a 23 year old E-5 out there with no college education that decides if that plane is safe to fly or not, so whether or not your "Upper Class" (AKA Officers), your pretty much dependent on us minion types that fly a ratchet.

[C]

[quote]
2) And keep in mind, you may not want to be "Lower Class" (Which is called Enlisted btw), but odds are that there's a 23 year old E-5 out there with no college education that decides if that plane is safe to fly or not, so whether or not your "Upper Class" (AKA Officers), your pretty much dependent on us minion types that fly a ratchet.

[Hagar]

A couple of points that nobody seems to have mentioned.

First of all, have you actually flown in an aeroplane? If not, how do you know that you'll like it? I've met people that are passionate about aircraft but found that flying didn't agree with them at all.

Second point is health. Important for any pilot but even more so for a professional. Unless you can pass the regular medicals you're out of a job. Simple as that.

[expat]

[quote][quote]
2) And keep in mind, you may not want to be "Lower Class" (Which is called Enlisted btw), but odds are that there's a 23 year old E-5 out there with no college education that decides if that plane is safe to fly or not, so whether or not your "Upper Class" (AKA Officers), your pretty much dependent on us minion types that fly a ratchet.