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I've always wanted to become an airline pilot (I hope that didn't sound cheesey). But all I've been hearing about the airline industry is bankruptcy and all kinds of troubles. I also see on many of the airline's career section of their websites saying they're not hiring pilots... Will the status quo improve, or should I go with other career fields? I'm also a little scared about not being accepted. I'm willing to do a lot to get a job as an airline captain. I've also been meaning to talk to a pilot about topics like this... but never got a chance to. Could anyone give me any advice on this? Thanks.

Sorry if this topic has been mentioned before

Depends where you are and how you're prepared to do it. In the Uk companies have just started readvertising fully sponsored or substantially funded courses, and I've also seen similar adverts in Australia. Look in magazines - they're often more up to date than websites recruitment wise.

There's no harm in trying anytime though - it'll be a very competitive business to get into whatever the situation.

Cheers

Charlie

Hey Divebomber, same thoughts and worries here.  For the US, your best bet to get into the airline industry is get into the airforce, navy, marines etc. and fly, or go to an excellent flight college (like Embrey Riddle) and become a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor).  It is true that the airline market is crap right now, and you need to be good to get in.  The absolute, 100% most impressive is airforce, navy, marines etc.  The military also helps because you recieve small arms training, which is a hot ticket to fly big jets these days.  It is also entirely possible to move up through GA (Genral Aviation), but DAMN it's expensive.

No one knows where the industry will be in, say, 15 years but let's hope it improves to the point where you don't have to go to extremes to attain a very realistic goal.  Good luck  ;)

I'm a junior in highschool and am probally going right to a commercial flight school in New york City right out of high school which will be a big change...I here alot of school "guarantee you an interview"..what is this (I know what it means but)....also school is looking pretty expensive which I new about but I hope a get a few scholarships...if a pilot career does not work out ....I am strait off for ATC...

Goto college. you have to be 23 to get your atpl and fly for the airlines to the best of my knowledge. Without a college degree you wont get in an ATC job, and your chances are slim of getting a pilots job without one.

There's more to aviation then just flying an airiliner Most of this post is based on the assumption that you live in the U.S.

But all I've been hearing about the airline industry is bankruptcy and all kinds of troubles.

Do you really expect the media to ever say anything positive about aviation? I've never seen any news station promote aviation, all they do is talk about crashes and companies going bankrupt.

I also see on many of the airline's career section of their websites saying they're not hiring pilots...

Check out South West, Jetblue, Fed Ex, UPS, American Eagle, Express jet, Piedmont, and Allegahney and I can guareentee you there are more.

Will the status quo improve, or should I go with other career fields?

It can only go up from here

I'm also a little scared about not being accepted.

That part I don't get, if you meet the time requirements and pass the interview you'll be hired.


There's more just being an airline pilot. If nothing else you can live a great life being a corporate pilot. My neighbor flies a GIV for a large company and pulls in around $135,000 a year, flies about ten days a month, and has a schedule three months in advance.

He stays in the finest hotels in the world (they require pilot's stay in the same hotels as the passengers) and goes to the nicest locations on the planet.

There are many other mini careers inside of aviation. Flying frieght, flying medevacs, helicopters, fractional companies, charter, ect. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

That part I don't get, if you meet the time requirements and pass the interview you'll be hired.

Not necissarily true these days.  My CFI is not only one of the best and most qualified pilots but one of the best people I know and he's lost several jobs for no apparent reason (yes, he has his ATP). As for the corporate jet thing, that's all fine and dandy (actually it's kickass), but for many of the finest companies you have to be referred by a pilot already flying for the company.  It's tricky.

[quote]
Not necissarily true these days.

Citation Pilot, not nessasarily. Some (well, some of the most) CFI's are actually instructing because they are looking to get into a job with an airline or be a corporate pilot, but they don't have enough hours logged for that job. The instruct to get many hours in a relatively short amount of time, meet new people, and spend time flying.

Citation Pilot, not nessasarily. Some (well, some of the most) CFI's are actually instructing because they are looking to get into a job with an airline or be a corporate pilot, but they don't have enough hours logged for that job.

Hence the reason I said...

if you meet the time requirements

Have a nice day.

Don't take this as an insult to the instructor, I used to frequent all the airports in the Philly area and may very well be friends with him but, he can't be trying too hard or has high standards if he's one of the most qualified pilot's and can't get a job better then CFIing.

lol, I'm not gonna start something here (no reason-I take evrything in good humor  ;D) but he is actually the head of the flight school and that is why he has stuck around so long.

[quote]
lol, I'm not gonna start something here (no reason-I take evrything in good humor

Its safe to say, in the airline world you have to be aggressive if you want a job. You cant just expect a job to come to you, and especially now you have to make sure if you have an interview, that the airline/ freight/ or private company knows your the best person for the job.

Citation, you tell me-what would you, as a pilot, rather do-sit behind a desk or chase a dream you've been having of flying jets since you were six years old? It's only recently he's begun interviews, he's had about enough of GA.  Can we got off of this?  I restate my basic point-the market was better back then, you had a better chance of getting in back then (back then being all the way back 4-5 or so years ago).

And thanks, my day has been great (except the badgers lost  :'()  ;D