How to get airline job

[kz420]

Any advice on how to get hired by the majors? I am a high school student who is very interested in pursuing a commercial career.

[BOHIXON]

If you are really interested, look into schools that give that type of education. I am a student at Univeristy of North Dakota. This is one of the bigger aviation colleges. The other choice is Embry-Riddle, however, UND offers a full degree with all liberal arts classes. UND's website is www.aero.und.edu, or feel free to contact me at N6294X@aol.com

BO

[HighFLyer]

Well BOHIXON, sorry to hear your from UND! Nothing personal, but I have a little rivalry with you boys and girls up in Grand Forks (I go to St. Cloud State).

To answer kz420's question, Bohixon is right-a degree in aviation is a great way to go if you want a career in the industry. The council on Aviation Accreditation is one place to look at-they accredit aviation programs all over the US. In fact-I visited almost all the schools approved by them and found what I was really looking for here in St. Cloud. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have about almost any aviation school because I gave them all a good look at least once.

[FlyinHeel]

What about me??
I go to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and I'm a sophomore business major. My heart, however, is in flying. I hope to start my instrument training in the spring. I have about 65 total hours currently.

I won't need a degree after I graduate, so what should I do?? Is there any faster way than the CFI method?

[djschaut]

FlyinHeel,

It never hurts to have that degree, no matter what the discipline is. I think the airline--even if it is a commuter--would hire the degreed pilot with the minimum hours of multi-time if it came down to a choice with someone who doesn't have the degree. Does the degree have to be aviation-related? I doubt it if you have the right number of hours of single, multi-time, the instrument rating, and the commercial rating. It probably doesn't hurt to get the ATP, too, but some commuter airlines don't require 1500 hours of total time.

But, if tuition and living expenses are taking away from accumulating hours, you may have to think again. Most pilots who want to fly for the majors use their CFI to build hours. If you have over 1000 hours and over 200 hours of multi-time with the commercial and instrument ratings (Mesa Airlines' minimum requirements), what do they care that you have the CFI? They just want safe pilots flying their machines.

Any regional will put you through a rigorous training program to get typed in their planes, anyway, once you have the minimum number of hours.

So, if you can continue your degree while still building hours, great. Unless you have your own plane, an unlimited income, or can log time in someone else's plane for cheap--especially the multi-engine--the CFI may help you build hours while you're in school. If you pursue both programs it can't but help your resume.

That's my 'take.' (ala Jim Rome)

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DJSchaut

[FlyinHeel]

Thanks for you fast reply djschaut!

The club I am in right now, the Chapel Hill Flying Club at IGX, www.chapelhillflyingclub.org, does have a pretty large fleet of aircraft and members fluctuate around 250.

Right now I am flying Piper Warriors, but we do have 4 Mooneys and 1 multi-engine plane (but I'm not sure what it is).

My question more specifically is: are there credible schools I can go to and pursue type ratings without having to earn a degree (like post-graduate)? I'm pretty vague about what to do. And is the IFR, Commercial, CFI the only way to pursue an airline job without going into the military?

[djschaut]

FlyinHeel,

No, the only way to get a job with the airlines is to go the instrument, multi-engine, multi-engine instrument, and commercial route. They will accept nothing less.

There are many flight schools willing to relieve you of your cash to get you the hours and ratings you need. I suggest that you contact the regional carriers--where you would ultimately start anyway--directly and ask what their minimum requirements would be.

As I previously mentioned, I contacted one of the regional carriers in the Southwest--Mesa Airlines out of Farmington, NM. They serve as a regional carrier for United and America West. Their minimum requirement was 1000 total time with 200hrs. multi-engine, but they insisted on all the above ratings. You don't neet the CFI rating, but you need the others. How you accumulate those hours is up to you. If the hours are documented in your logbook, they'll still put you through a flight test. It wouldn't hurt to have at least your second class--or even first class medical current, too.



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DJSchaut

[kz420]

thanx to everyone, your advice has helped me, but please continue to post hits thax