Best route for airline pilot career?

[bobbysamd]

Seconded

Don't believe the negative posters that say not to pursue and aviation degree. Students enrolled in an aviation degree program will take the same business courses as a business major.

I agree with CFI'er. A lot depends on the program, though, because Business Administration, in which I have my degree, is a course in and of itself. You won't get the entirety of the B.S.B.A. program if you major in Aeronautical Sciences.

I like an Aero Science major primarily for the education it provides you as a pilot. You get all your ground school and you study weather, flight physiology, systems, and more. I was amazed at how much knowledge my ERAU students received about systems. That is virtually guaranteed to help you down the road when you go to airline ground school.

ERAU students also took technical writing. As a pilot you have to be able to convey your thoughts articulately on paper to mechanics. It's not enough to say "engine broke." You have to be able to describe a problem clearly. Also, you have to be able write a letter professionally and articulately, and you have to be able to create a resume.

If I had it to do over, I would have just left work and gone to Riddle or someplace and earned a second B.S. in Aeronautical Sciences. I found after I went to work full-time at ERAU there were major gaps in my knowledge that I had to bridge through self-studying. I probably would have learned more, better and faster had I gone to school.

Once more, good luck with your plans.

 

[WhiteCloud]

I don't have a clear path to offer because I've seen many pilots develop a career in many different ways. The bottom line is that you need to have at least a Commercial ME licence and a 1st class medical certficate and 1000 total hours and 100 Multi engine hours for most entry level jobs. The quality of civilian flight training varies greatly. You need to be sure that you really learn to fly well while building this experience. This can be done at the local field if you have a good instructor and can also be done in a college program. You'll get out of either program what you put into it. I suggest you find an approach that suits your personality and budget and be sure you obtain good training.