BowflexBrennan From Australia, joined Jul 2006, 124 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 10632 times:
I'm interested in becoming an airline pilot, but I am unsure of which is the best route to take. I have considered the military, but I'm not to keen on that. I'm wondering if it is better to do my training at a local airport, and then get a colloge or university degree in a non-aviation related course (like business), or if I should go into an aviation program at a college or university that gives you your flight training as well as a degree in aviation. My goal is to work for the airlines, so what would an airline prefer, aviaiton courses or non aviation courses. I can see how both have their pros and cons. Having aviation courses shows that you are very well trained and know the industry really well, but having non aviaiton courses shows that you are diversified, and that you are good at numerous things. Does it depend on the airline, or are most airlines the same way. Also, I can't speak french to save my life, I probably know the names of three animals and two body parts, so will I still have good chances of working for a Canadian airline, or should I go else where. Also, in what contries will the best opportunities be to get into airlines around the year 2015-2020, because that is probably the time frame where I will be applying for the airlines.
Any other information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Socal From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 473 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 6 days 3 hours ago) and read 10577 times:
Am not a pilot, but use the Military so you dont have to pay out of pocket.
Stoney From Switzerland, joined Jan 2005, 199 posts, RR: 4 Reply 2, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 10462 times:
Don't use the military just for the purpose of getting your wings. If you can't support what you're doing in the military and aren't in there because you want to serve your country, it's absolutely the wrong thing. Another point is that you'll be stuck there for a long time, and there's no way out if you don't like it.
So I guess it's the best thing if you get a degree in some other area than aviation, so that you'll have something to fall back on if your career as a pilot doesn't work or you don't like it anymore. But that's only my personal opinion, I have no idea what the airlines prefer.
Greetz
Stoney
BAZL - Bundesamt gegen Zivilluftfahrt - royally screwing around with swiss aviation
Airbazar From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 6879 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 10419 times:
Quoting Stoney (Reply 2): Don't use the military just for the purpose of getting your wings. If you can't support what you're doing in the military and aren't in there because you want to serve your country, it's absolutely the wrong thing.
I don't know about Canada but many countries don't really give you a choice of not serving in the military, whether you like it or not. It's compulsory. So if that's your case, then just use it to your advantage
Stoney From Switzerland, joined Jan 2005, 199 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 10394 times:
Quoting Airbazar (Reply 4): I don't know about Canada but many countries don't really give you a choice of not serving in the military, whether you like it or not. It's compulsory. So if that's your case, then just use it to your advantage
That's true. I just started my compulsory military service one week ago. Here in Switzerland one has to do 39 weeks, then you're done for your entire life. BUT if you want to be a pilot, you have to be an officer (600 days) and then if they want you (they need about 8-12 pilots every year) you have to sign a contract for 8 years. If you don't do that, they won't take you. So you better be sure of what you want to do, or else you'll be stuck there without any motivation, and there are tons of other people who actually want to serve their country... (besides, it's extremely hard to get chosen as a military pilot)
So it's not just about having to do your usual military service, but to give practically your entire life to this one mission you're gonna have once you're in the military.
Greetz
Stoney
BAZL - Bundesamt gegen Zivilluftfahrt - royally screwing around with swiss aviation
Shawn Patrick From United States of America, joined Jan 2000, 2588 posts, RR: 18 Reply 6, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 10302 times:
Don't go in the military just to fly, as others said. I was going to go in the military to fly, but at the last minute I decided it was not the right choice (thanks to the wise advice of others). You have to REALLY want to be in the military first. Then you can think about being a pilot. If not, you will be absolutely miserable. I chose the civilian route and I'm very very happy I didn't choose the military because just by observing my peers in ROTC, I realize that type of lifestyle and being in the military is simply not for me.
DLCnxgptjax From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 352 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 5 days 2 hours ago) and read 10279 times:
I'm currently taking the "get your degree while you learn to fly" path. It seems to be working for me, but isn't for everyone.
Some people say it's best to have your degree and then start flight training afterwards. I've also heard people say that PIC time is important, especially when applying for the majors. Which got me to thinking, would it be a wise choice to go through flight training, get hired by a regional (after instructing), and then work on your degree once you're established in the regional.. e.g. have a line? Seems logical to me. By the time you're finished with your degree you will have earned flight time as an FO and possibly have upgraded to Capt. Or would this approach be a bad idea?
Mainliner From United States of America, joined Aug 2005, 366 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 10 months 1 week 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 10204 times:
Quoting DLCnxgptjax (Reply 7): Which got me to thinking, would it be a wise choice to go through flight training, get hired by a regional (after instructing), and then work on your degree once you're established in the regional.. e.g. have a line?
Generall, with few exceptions, the airlines (regional, LCC, or major) will require you to hold a degree before they'll even consider you. I've been told they really don't care what it's in, just so long as you have something. Maybe if you'd already managed to accumulate several thousand hours it's possible, but I wouldn't bet on it these days. And the irregular schedules of pilots may make it difficult to attend classes while holding a line position.
Personally, I'm in the 'aviation degree' boat...but it all depends on your personal preferences.
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