Steps to get into the majors and timeline

[PastFastMover]

Ty,

My post was not meant to denigrate the LCC's. I hope you have a great "job" working for whoever you work for. I have flown for more than a couple of majors (flying left seat for all of them) since way before deregulation and have seen literally scores of LCC's that are the Queen of the moment turn into the turd of the hour. 3 years to left seat to me means your company has not been around for long. I hope I am not being presumptuous, but you sound young and relatively new. I truely hope your current carrier hangs in there and you remain till retirement. I personally, looking back on the experience, would not put my life at the whim of the MBA of the hour. Things really look different the older you get, and your company of the hour disappears and you start over again. I suppose 150 grand sounds like great pay to the youngsters, but in the world today that is chump change for someone that is looking for a great career. I agree that the 300K career in this industry is gone, the 150K job will only go lower the way things are currently going.

I love to fly, it has been my passion. From J3 Cubs, to Supersonic Fighters to B-777's, I have seen the best of what this industry has to offer and also the worst as poor management takes your once great company down. I hope that you don't have to continually start over and over and over. I would say the odds are truely against you. If you don't want to take the rest of my post seriously then don't. But I think I have put in the time to give my opinion of the industry. I have only posted on this forum a limited number of times. I have absolutely no interest in debating anyone or challenging anyone in the back and forth that some folks seems to relish.

Good luck.

 

[Fokkerflyer]

Hey Mooney-

Ever consider a career as a corporate pilot?

I would say the process from cfi to corporate jet is still 5 yrs., sometimes longer, but can be very rewarding. Start banging on doors, try to get rides in turboprops, whatever it takes. I used to work at a flt school where all the instructors were very focused on the airlines. I was pumping fuel at that time also. Long story short, got a corporate job, and by the time they got on with a commuter I was working on my third type rating.

Maybe corporate is not as glamorous as airline life, to me it's been very rewarding.

Hope this helps,
FF

 

[CitrusGuy]

Dude, trust me. There is plenty more "glamour" driving the limo than driving the bus. I don't see any "glamour" in what I'm doing but I enjoy it. It's a fun job but I wouldn't recomend it as a career to my children. (I would hang pictures of teeth on their walls...

 

[AA717driver]

Ok, one more time...

If all you've ever wanted to do is fly, go for it. Just realize what the downside is.

If you are in it for a cushy job that pays big bucks and is glamorous, you may want to work somewhere else.

BTW, other than med school/dental school, what business pays $100k/year and works you 15 days a month?

Jobs in aviation aren't quite a $h!tty as many here make it out to be. It just isn't what it used to be. JMO.TC

 

[flyfastinmy10]

Hey Mooney-

Ever consider a career as a corporate pilot?

I would say the process from cfi to corporate jet is still 5 yrs., sometimes longer, but can be very rewarding. Start banging on doors, try to get rides in turboprops, whatever it takes. I used to work at a flt school where all the instructors were very focused on the airlines. I was pumping fuel at that time also. Long story short, got a corporate job, and by the time they got on with a commuter I was working on my third type rating.

Maybe corporate is not as glamorous as airline life, to me it's been very rewarding.

Hope this helps,
FF

Mooney

The pilot career is almost like an internal calling. Right now this business sucks but there are still more that want in than jobs available.
I worked the office thing for years and reflect on it often. This time of year after the clocks change I still get depresssed remembering looking out the window at work until 9 or 10 pm every evening. I worked my azz off trying to get ahead. I have missed so many important things in my life that I regret. I finally gave up on getting ahead or winning in the business world. I would dream of being off on weekends or even a coulpe of days in a row.
I finally left my six figure income about 5 years ago. I was lucky to get hired by a small corporate jet charter company with less than a thousand hours. It was a good fit for both parties. I wanted to fly and have more time off and they wanted someone that would be available 24/7/365. I started working about 15 days a month. I upgraded about a year later and during the next 5 years got 2 types, lots of hours and was treated very well.
I recently went to work for a major, again looking for a better schedule. I plan on staying here until I retire. If this doesn't work out I will go back to the Corporate thing. I will not chase the Airline career because I can't do it. I can't take the pay cuts and start over and over. I hate reserve and now have a line but this is it. I wouldn't do it again. The airline thing.
My advice to you........Try the corporate charter job. Stay with it untill you have other options and then make a decision and good luck.
I hear everyone on this board talking about how good other professions are but the grass always looks greener. I personally don't know anyone that is truely happy with their career.
Good luck and if you have any questions on how I did it, send me a PM