What are my chances of becoming a 747 captain for a major airline.

[positiveg]

If you want to do things the long way, go to Embry-Riddle.

If you are looking for a faster route, enroll at Gulfstream Academy out of high school and then you will be able to move up to Pinnacle and fly the RJ. One day, you will upgrade to captain and apply to AirTran. And that's when the BIG BUCKS start rolling in!

Forget the majors, they will all go out of business when low-cost widebody service begins to cross oceans.

P.S.- Hurry up and start flying, because when the illegal immigrants become legal, they will take all of our jobs away.

You should have noted the sarcasm there for those that don't know any better.

 

[EMB Skillz]

You should have noted the sarcasm there for those that don't know any better.

Noted, revised.

In case anybody would really consider the poor choice of going to Gulfstream and becoming the next PCL_128.

 

[FN FAL]

Join the military and become a pilot ( but Army pilots don't get the consideration that the other branches get.) They go to the head of the line for most airline jobs, especially FedEx and Delta ( that is when Delta starts hiring again.)

So why does he have to go to the airlines? He can fly widebody equipment in the military as a career, retire and live a nice life on the beach, without ever having to suffer being a civilian commercial pilot.

 

[sardinesnack]

Although College is helpful it is not necessary, don't waste your college years studying aviation. If you do go to college make sure your degree is in something else in demand. You do not need a college degree to become a major airline pilot, all you need to know is somebody already employed as one.

 

[rickair7777]

Although College is helpful it is not necessary, don't waste your college years studying aviation. If you do go to college make sure your degree is in something else in demand. You do not need a college degree to become a major airline pilot, all you need to know is somebody already employed as one.

Unless you have a close family member who is a corporate officer or chief pilot at a major airline, you should assume that you absolutely will need a 4 year degree to get a major airline job. And if hiring is slow, you might need one to get a regional job.

But like he said, avoid aviation degrees unless it is an actual engineering degree. You're better off with a technical degree or something that can serve as the basis for a civilian career should that be necessary.

 

[filejw]

Your best bet is to start flying now.Go to college and get a degree in anything but aviation. When you graduate or are close start hitting up the Reserve and National Guard units in your area. Best deal going. Guard Baby is the term most commonly used .

 

[pilotyip]

I thought is was guard bum?

 

[FlyBieWire]

Thank you for the posts that have been presented for my consideration. What surprises me the most is the amount of luck that seems to be a factor toward obtaining a career long position as a pilot.

If I compare the airline pilot profession to other professions there are great differences. For example if I am accepted to Medical School I will have a 95% chance that I will become a doctor. Or if I am accepted to law school there is a 95% chance I'll become a lawyer. The same is true with most all other professional schools. But it seems that the airline pilot profession is quite different in that regard and the career seems to be unstable too. It appears that through no fault of your own a good pilot can end up as a gypsy moving from entry level position to entry level position, as was told to me privately. This does concern me and is something I must deal with. It does seem that the consensus of this Board is to get a degree in something other than aviation. I will take that advice and pursue computer science in college since I have an interest in those things. Or, since I'm on the debate team in high school I may consider Political Science as a major. One thing I will do for sure is try to complete my flight training up through my commercial license while I'm in high school as has been recommended on this Board. And then maybe I'll be able to get a flying job in college. I like that idea.

Thank you everyone for your assistance.

Any additional advice would be welcomed.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Or, since I'm on the debate team in high school I may consider Political Science as a major.

Any additional advice would be welcomed.

To Flybiewire:
Personally, I suggest you forget about flying. Go to law school and pursue politics. I think you'll end up as President or at least a U.S. Senator. And if so, do what you can to change the age-60 rule. Promise?

Thanks.

 

[Metro752]

dude what are you talking about, he's going to be the Supreme Allied Commander in WW3, and become Pope aftewards, while being suspected to be a possible Llama!