How long would it take to get to the Majors?

[chuck91]

Here is a general question for all. I have just turned 37 and on the final leg of getting my PPL(should finish up in Jan.). If I was to go to ATP and do the CFI route and by some way get a Reg. job by Dec. of 2005, How long would it take me from then to get to the Majors? I do have a college degree, did military time as an officer and I have a very good work history. With those factors in mind, throw out some possible times to the majors.

Thanks.

 

[kill whitey]

As long as it takes for them to recall about 500 pilots on furlough, make money and hire again. 10 years at the least?!

 

[labbats]

Hoo boy.

I'd suggest corporate.

 

[Flic1]

You don't have your Private yet and you're planning to have a Regional job in less than a year??? Wow.... I must be out of the loop, I had to instruct for over 2 years after getting my CFI tickets to move on to something bigger than a C-172. If you're concerned about how long it will take to get to a Major at this point, you may want to stick with your previous career......or go corporate like labbats suggested.....

 

[blzr]

Here's a question you ahould ask yourself. How many 20somethings are at the regionals with thousands of hours of F/O time are waiting to upgrade? ( ALOT) Of those, how many want to move up to the majors? (90% at the least).

Dude, you have lofty goals, which is very admirable. Maybe start by writing out a 5 year plan and go from there.

1. in a year, have your multi, instrument, commercial.
2. get your CFII and MEI.
3. teach as much as you can.
4. in 2 years, try to get 1200 hours with some good multi time.
5. in three years, mayby try to get on with a 135 operation and build some good single pilot ifr time.
6. 3 years, when you have the time and experience, throw your resume out to the regionals.
7. in 5 years, or less if you bust your butt you should be well on your way.

It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!!! (School of Rock!)

 

[Propsync]

Whitey left off a zero, make it 5000. I'd say ten years. I guess I would be five years closer right now, and I can't see myself going anywhere for a good deal of time. Be prepared to average 30k a year for that same period. Nobody knows what tomorrow brings, but it doesn't look good right now. I also think that management has figured out the labor game. They really do have ALPA running and chasing its tail. I still believe in the union, it's just really weak due to Ch. 11 filings.

You have a lot of IFS to deal with. Even IF everything falls into your plan. BTW, I find it hard to believe you'll be at a regional in any less than 2-3 years, unless you do some crash course and PFT. Of course, I don't advise any of that. Your problem going forward is no experience. There are a ton of flight instructors and regional pilots that are younger and have much more time than you. I'll guess again that you'll need 6-8000 hours to move to a major in ten years, which would be close to where you're at. I have over four now and am really not close to the time needed. I'm only doing this once, I won't go to the bottom again.

I don't want to say 'don't do it', but it's about on par with flying into a tornado. Turbulent and lots of crap flying around. Labbats (Blue) has the right idea, try something else within aviation besides airlines. It just is a bad investment for the training you pay for and the salary you'll be receiving.

 

[Propsync]

It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll!!! (School of Rock!)

Nope. AC/DC. Well, they did it first anyway.

 

[Clyde]

Here is a general question for all. I have just turned 37 and on the final leg of getting my PPL(should finish up in Jan.). If I was to go to ATP and do the CFI route and by some way get a Reg. job by Dec. of 2005, How long would it take me from then to get to the Majors? I do have a college degree, did military time as an officer and I have a very good work history. With those factors in mind, throw out some possible times to the majors.

Thanks.

A very long time, and I'm not being sarcastic either. What one should ask, is even if they do start hiring again, is the pay, schedule and retirement(?) going to be worth the time, effort, and sacrifices that it is going to take to get there.

Realistically, there are only 3 good major airlines left to work for these days: they are UPS, FedEx, and Southwest, and there is a lot of competition funneling into just those three.

I guess the other ones won't be so bad if you plan on financing your own retirement fund and plan on living a lifestyle low enough below your means that you carry very little debt.

But, to answer your question, I don't see any type of large-scale hiring for at least 10 years. Prior to that, you might see some recalls and some trickle-hiring to cover retirements.

Again, I'm referring only to the traditional majors/legacy carriers, and not the regional or national carriers.

 

[Varmint]

Here is a general question for all. I have just turned 37 and on the final leg of getting my PPL(should finish up in Jan.). If I was to go to ATP and do the CFI route and by some way get a Reg. job by Dec. of 2005, How long would it take me from then to get to the Majors? I do have a college degree, did military time as an officer and I have a very good work history. With those factors in mind, throw out some possible times to the majors.

Thanks.

Chuck,

If you are going to shell out the bucks to get all your ratings you might as well look into FlightSafety or Delta Connection Academy. Both those have "fast track" programs to the regionals. Of course, you will probably have to pay extra for your thrills there, but if you get to a regional ASAP and begin building time you may be upgrading around the same time some Majors begin hiring. This will allow you to build the coveted PIC turbine while those with the higher time make the move up. Good luck with your quest and ignore these guys with the "flight instructing" chip on their shoulder. I did it for two years and hated it. However, flying checks was a great experience and taught alot more than instructing. If I did it over again I would definately look into these "fast track" programs if I had your military experience and the degree.

 

[T-Gates]

Change your goal......

People are getting all wrapped up in "Getting to A Major".

You'll be alot better served to find the job that will afford you the best QOL. Don't use the majors as your brass ring. Mabye a 7 and 7 at a smaller 121 Cargo Operation might serve you better. With almost all the majors loosing their retirements, I'm sure as hell looking elsewhere to end my career. (i.e. get a stable job that affords me good QOL and invest my money wisely). Because if anyhting,, this latest downturn has taught me to never put all your eggs in one basket. I have met and read about too many Legacy guys that had all thier money tied up in thier company's stock and were depending on thier A and B scale, only to find themselves looking for work after 60.

I'm in my 20's and thinking about this.... At 37 you'd better be thinking about this too.

 

[cforst513]

Chuck,

If you are going to shell out the bucks to get all your ratings you might as well look into FlightSafety or Delta Connection Academy. Both those have "fast track" programs to the regionals. Of course, you will probably have to pay extra for your thrills there, but if you get to a regional ASAP and begin building time you may be upgrading around the same time some Majors begin hiring. This will allow you to build the coveted PIC turbine while those with the higher time make the move up. Good luck with your quest and ignore these guys with the "flight instructing" chip on their shoulder. I did it for two years and hated it. However, flying checks was a great experience and taught alot more than instructing. If I did it over again I would definately look into these "fast track" programs if I had your military experience and the degree.

just a note, though. i'm 21, one semester away from a degree, and Vern Antrim at Delta Connection Academy quoted me $95,000 for the cost of their program. i almost shat myself. that's why i'm looking into smaller schools like Mazzei in Fresno that don't have such a high price tag (free housing, too). good luck, man. i'd avoid delta connection unless you are made of money.

 

[prattzl]

. i'd avoid delta connection unless you are made of money.

I'll second that!! Left DCA and went to ATP.. Honestly, ATP kinda sucks and a lot of people there are a little strange, but the muti-time is priceless.

 

[Sleepyhead]

Go with one of the fast track programs. In addition to the ones above, check out MAPD. I flew with a lot of guys out of MAPD and they were all very well trained. In addition they gaurentee you an interview with Mesa. A lot of people on this board trash Mesa, but almost everyone out of MAPD gets hired and a lot go right into the right seat of an RJ. You can't do that with the traditional flight schools.

 

[FL000]

I was in your shoes 7 years ago at age 29, and am currently teetering on writing off the whole major idea. The new age of salaries isn't going to make it worth losing the quality of life. I'm just trying to find something worthwhile to do in my free time to close the ever-decreasing financial gap.

 

[pilotyip]

Clyde times are a changing

Good chance that CAL and NWA will start interviewing late next year so that put two more majors on the list of hiring. It is part of the 2007 hiring boom. 91 I would look at something besides the regionals, go someplace to get some good IFR PIC after you get your 1200 hrs for 135 IFR PIC. Places like Airnet, that will teach you alot about flying.