How can people do it?

[PaulS]

Hi,
I'd just like to ask a question to those of you who have become major airline pilots through paying for your training yourself, or to those who are currently training to become airline pilots and paying for their own training.
I'm 14 and it has recently come to my attention the cost of paying for your own training. To have the qualifications and hours required to apply to an airline for direct entry, it seems that the minimum cost is upwards of $70,000 AUD. For those of you who have joined a major airline without first being trained in the military; how is it possible for your average student pilot to afford this? Is there a way into commercial flying that I have looked over. All that I can see is that you either pay for yourself and forever be paying back debt, or you join the military and then apply to a major.
To me the military does not look at all attractive, so if anyone has any tips/hints on a more affordable way to enter the major airline industry, please let me know.
Thanks
Paul

 

[surplus1]

Paul,

Flight training definitely isn't cheap. Even if you went the military route, you would first need to earn your college degree (necessary to be a military pilot). You will also need the degree if you want to be a major airline pilot. So that part of the cost will be the same.

Flight training itself wont cost $70, 000, but together with a degree, that's not too far off. All the standard government grants and loans will be available to you to help defray the cost. Since you're only 14 now, you still have time to do very well in high school and earn a scholarship. That will pay for some if not all of your college education. That means really good grades of course.

After you have your pilot's license and ratings, you still wont have enough experience to get hired by a major airline. You'll have to work, probably as an instructor some and then in lesser flying jobs before you have the experience to qualify.

It's not easy, but if you really want to do this there are definitely ways to make it happen. Lot's of hard work, being broke a lot and yes, having som bills, but if you really want it, don't be discouraged by the cost, you can make it happen.

It's that way with anything that you really want to do. If you want it bad enough and you're willing to work hard, then you'll get it. As you grow older, you'll learn more and more about how to do that.

Good luck to you.

 

[bobbysamd]

Becoming an airline pilot

I never became an airline pilot, but tried. I had plenty of students who became airline pilots. We all paid for our commercial training.

I don't know the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Australian dollars, but I can tell you that training to obtain the beginning certificates, which would be Commercial-Instrument-Single-Multi and CFI-Single-Multi-Instrument costs from something like $20K-up in the United States. Much depends on where you train. Some people learn to fly at their local airports. Others train at formal flight schools. Still others train at schools operated by regional airlines. Students use a variety of schemes to fund their training. Some just work and train part-time. Some obtain student loans, either through private sources or from the government. Others may have their parents or relatives fund their training.

A college education with a four-year degree is vital for success. Some students go to colleges that offer flight programs. Others go to college and train elsewhere. One airline in the U.S. offers a flight training program together with a two-year degree. Graduates have the chance to interview with the airline upon graduation. The roads to the destination are endless.

Most airlines do not hire fresh flight school graduations. They want very experienced pilots. So, after graduation, new pilots may work as flight instructors or other jobs to build enough experience to qualify for the airlines. It can take years and several jobs to build this experience. Even then, there is no guarantee an airline will hire them. There are many, many more pilots available than there are pilot jobs. That doesn't mean it is impossible to be hired. It just takes a lot of hard work, sacrifice and luck.

That's really how it works, in a nutshell. Lots of luck with your plans.

 

[skydiverdriver]

Have your parents buy you some US savings bonds right now! Tell all your family that this is what you want for future birthdays and Christmas presents. In the US, the bonds can be used for education, and the interest will be tax free. Go to a university that offers flight training, and take out the loans to do it.

I did it the hard way, borrowing for each rating and then paying them off with a low-paying job. I wish I had earned the degree first, and then had a better job to help me pay for my ratings. Look at what careers are in demand, and get a degree it that first. My suggestion would be engineering, as I hear they make the most money right out of college. This is also an excellent way to get into the industry, as an engineer.

Also, get to know anyone you can who is involved in aviation. Get a part time job at the airport, washing planes if you have to. Let everyone know your goals, and you never know who might be able to help you out. Good luck and welcome aboard.