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

[pilotyip]

Well said Donsa

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

And he fly's RC aircraft. The more I flew my RC plane and started putting on airshows for friends, I realized I was meant to fly for a living. No luck yet though.

NICE! Well said.

Look, BFW. I have easy advice. Don't let the B747 be your
only focus. Don't get me wrong, it's a good goal. Focus
on good pay, good life, and good benefits. I've seen the
747 syndrome many times. Sometimes, M-F weekends off
home every, night flying a Caravan beats out a 747, home
1-2 weeks a month. It depends what you want.

Your desires will change. I changed from a goal of 747-400
to a high quality of life (QOL) flying any plane.

I've flown EFIS, I've flown Steam gauges, large and small.
I'm happiest in the presence of crusty old airplanes and
crusty old pilots. Sure, I don't fly to London and Tokyo
every week, but that's what vacations are for.

Travel alot when you're young. as you pass 30 years old,
and get a family, you'll likely want to stay in your
hometown area.

Don't let big metal blind you to the other niches in the
industry. And since you are still young, consider getting
and A+P ticket. It makes you a better all around airman.

CE

 

[sky37d]

I know a 747 Captain, but he flies for a 'non-traditional' airline. In short, he's a freight dog. It's not a bad life. Beats the crap out of plan B. Go for it.
Oh, and get your degree in engineering. Beats the crap out of poly sci.

 

[big_al]

the one thing I've learned in my short time on this place, is almost all of your plans will fail. the more you plan out something, the more likely it is to go wrong in one way or the other. good luck

 

[Motive Flow]

Remember to eat your veggies and get plenty of sleep at night. Oh, and drink your milk for strong bones.

Seriously, if you get a commercial ticket before college you will be way ahead of the curve.

Also, don't turn down a flying job that seems interesting (hauling jumpers, banner tow, fire patrol, etc.)

The goal of flying a 747 is cool, but it's all about the journey. Good luck!

 

[lawfly]

Why not be a lawyer, a physician, AND a widebody Captain? Just having some fun here. There are plenty of near retirement (or retired, for that matter) airline captains who have never been captain on a widebody and there are plenty of attorneys who wish they had done something other than attend law school or practice law (even if they don't admit it to their non-lawyer friends). And, seriously, you could actually get a graduate/ professional degree and still make aviation your principal career, if that is what you really want to do. But, if you do want to fly professionally, you are thinking about it at a good age. So, good luck.

 

[mitsdriver]

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.

I don't think there's huge difference. All profession is in fact, a crapshoot. Think about it. While you are correct in saying that you'll have about 95% chance of becoming a doctor or a lawyer if you go to a medical or a law school, does doing so guerentee that you'll be a surgeon at a major hospital or a full partner at a notable law firm? Of course not. There are plenty of struggling doctors and lawyers. Just like there are plenty of struggling professional pilots. If you go to a flight school, likewise there's about 95% chance that you'll become a professional pilot. Whether you'll one day land that dream widebody captain job is a whole different story. If you're serious about pursuing this profession, consider all angles such as corporate, charter, etc., not just the airlines. Who knows? You might find that the left seat of a Gulfstream is more to your liking than the left seat of a 777. Good luck.

 

[CSY Mon]

Well. lofty goals being a 747 captain, but as others said: There is better qual of life with smaller planes and other avenues.

I started flying @ age 21 and made B-747 captain at 39. First at a PAX line, then later at a freight-dog place.

The job is good if the pay and if the days-off are in there somewhere.
But to make it a goal to fly 747s because they are cool planes and because the chicks will dig ya, won't make for a good life after the first 200 hours.

There is some scumbag 747 operators out there that will leave a bad taste in yer mouth after the first 40 hours on duty and the second missing pay-check.

The 747 is an ego booster and an empire-builder if ya are into boosting a low self esteem, but the plane itself ain't much different from any othr Boeing or Douglas. (Never flown Buses or Locks, can't speak for them aeroplanes)

So, forget the 747, just go for days off and a steady pay-check..Much better than hauling junk at night for next to nothing, even if the label says B-747.

 

[mcjohn]

I love posts like that. Of course bigger isn't always better. But I bet the pay check is (if you get it on time). 747 freight dog huh? Wonder if we'll have A380 (is that right?) freight dogs in the future.

 

[airforceusaf]

Go to College

OK, I'm 15-years old and a high school student. I like flying and I make good grades. Most important is that my parents will probably be able to pay for my education including flying lessons. I'm also in good health and I stay clear of trouble.

My question is: What are my realistic chances of my evantually becoming a widebody (B747, B777, A380) captain in my lifetime?

My Father Is an Airline pilot for United Airlines. He knows the people that are responsible for hireing. If you want an ailrine job then go to college. And if Possible go to Embry-Riddle. It is worth the money. having said that i will now be bashed by every ERAU hater on here. lol i am 18 and now will be going to ERAU's summer session. It is worth it my friend. WB

Cheers!:beer: go to www.erau.com and check it out.