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Your path to the flight deck was?
- Thread starter Alaskaairlines
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Flyingdutchman
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TriStar_drvr
Well-known member
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Got a B.S. Physics and a Private Pilot License in 1984. Went to work that same year as a computer programmer. During that time I continued to fly and picked up instrument and commercial (single engine) ratings. In 1990 I decided to make a go at flying for a career and earned my CFI rating. Taught part-time until 1992 when I quit my computer programming job and began instructing full-time. Got additional ratings (CFII, Multi, MEI, ATP) while building hours and looking for work. In 1994, got hired by a 135 company flying Navajo Chieftains. Did that for a year and a 1000 hours before getting hired by a commuter (that's what we called them back then) in 1995. Upgraded to Captain in 1996. Got hired by my present employer in 1999 into the right seat of a 727. Transitioned to the right seat of the L1011 in 2001, and I'm still here today. I'm hoping my company survives the next year. If it makes it, I may be a Captain on the 737 in a year or so. If not, I'll start all over again. The road to where I am wasn't easy, and it wasn't always fun, but it sure was always interesting. Good luck in your career, you'll need it.
Homer J simpson
Member
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- Jul 19, 2002
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- 10
Alaskaairlines
Future Airline Pilot
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2003
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StarrBuck
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2001
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- 111
I started flying in 92, earned my private.. After that I went to a college that offered flight training, and got my 4 year degree. Flight instructed for about 18 months after that... Got a job flying C310/402's (freight) and did that for about 8 months.. Left that 135 outift to work for a 135 "People charter"/Ambulance operation, and stayed there for about a year.. Got hired at a regional mid-98, upgraded to E120 Capt after 18 months, and will have spent almost exactly 5 years at the regional before going to class at SWA next month..
Now my middle name isn't "Kit Darby" and don't claim to be an expert on carreer advice, but I will offer what I have learned along the way..
1. If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to a school and majored in something not related to aviation.. The 'cloud and propellor' classes were alot of fun, but didin't leave me with much should the flying thing not work out for me..
2. Be willing to take EVERY opportunity that will advance your experience. Times will come that you will find an opportunity that will take you out of your comfort zone, and you will really think hard about them.. "Do I really want to do this.." Just do it. I can't count the number of senior First Officers I've flown with in the last few years who could be flying in my seat! Many say "ahh, its not worth it, my schedule is good right now.." or offer a host of other reasons why they don't want to be a capt..
Good luck, if you want it bad enough, it will happen.. This business is more a battle of patience than anything else!
S.B.
Now my middle name isn't "Kit Darby" and don't claim to be an expert on carreer advice, but I will offer what I have learned along the way..
1. If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone to a school and majored in something not related to aviation.. The 'cloud and propellor' classes were alot of fun, but didin't leave me with much should the flying thing not work out for me..
2. Be willing to take EVERY opportunity that will advance your experience. Times will come that you will find an opportunity that will take you out of your comfort zone, and you will really think hard about them.. "Do I really want to do this.." Just do it. I can't count the number of senior First Officers I've flown with in the last few years who could be flying in my seat! Many say "ahh, its not worth it, my schedule is good right now.." or offer a host of other reasons why they don't want to be a capt..
Good luck, if you want it bad enough, it will happen.. This business is more a battle of patience than anything else!
S.B.
Timebuilder
Entrepreneur
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2001
- Posts
- 4,625
BRA
Rollins Rules!
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2002
- Posts
- 905
My first flight lesson was in fall 1998 at ERAU daytona beach. I was 19. Graduated in dec 2000 with private, instrument, commercial, multi. At 200tt was a CFI. Got CFII, MEI while instructing till summer 2002. Hired by a regional with 1570/550 multi. 1200 hours of it was instructing. 500 of the multi was instructing. And now that is where i still am.
You can compare yourself to others, we all do. But there is so much luck and timing involved. Someone that starts aviation 2 years after you can easily pass you up quick because the airline that decides not to furlough hired them and your airline dumps you. Or your friends airline expands, and yours doesn't. I have no doubt i will see several of my students in the future with better jobs and situations then me, and run into some of my old instructors down the road with less luck then me. So the seniority system only exists within each airline.....not always in the whole industry as a whole. If that makes sence.
You can compare yourself to others, we all do. But there is so much luck and timing involved. Someone that starts aviation 2 years after you can easily pass you up quick because the airline that decides not to furlough hired them and your airline dumps you. Or your friends airline expands, and yours doesn't. I have no doubt i will see several of my students in the future with better jobs and situations then me, and run into some of my old instructors down the road with less luck then me. So the seniority system only exists within each airline.....not always in the whole industry as a whole. If that makes sence.
Buckeye
Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2003
- Posts
- 364
Here is my story....
I was right there in the same position your in about ten years ago. I learned to fly and got my PPL in the late summer of 93, between my junior and senior year in highschool. I went off to college and thought that I was going to fly in the Air Force, I joined ROTC. I made the mistake of putting all my eggs in one basket, I pushed off my flying and only added a rating every other year or so. I had a 3.0+ GPA, over 400 on the PFT test and all in the 90'a on the AFOQT, but what I didn't count on was a Female commander who was on her third strike with the airforce. When things started falling apart I quickly finished up my ratings, Comm, MEL. I graduated from college in 1999, went to work in Dayton Ohio fueling aircraft and teaching people how to fuel airliners, while working on my CFI. I then switched jobs to fly a Baron for a freind of mine while I ran his Marketing department. I then had an opportunity to go work for PSA Airlines in the crew scheduling department, this was a great chance to eventually interview and fly for them. I earned my CFI in May of 2000 and started instructing in Middletowne Ohio at a place called Miami Valley Aviation, the fly DC-3's, Beech 18's Piper Aztecs, Lears, and Falcons. So I flight instructed down there building my time to interview at PSA. Well eventually I interviewed at PSA and no job offer, not sure why but who knows. I then left to fly 135 for MVA in April 0f 2001. I really enjoyed learning about being a "Professional" pilot flying the DC-3, it was a lot of fun. As time moved on and 9/11 hit things that were already going downhill got worse. I was flying maybe twice a month. I had a friend whom told me that USA Jet Airlines was interviewing and hiring in the summer of 02, I talked to thier Director of Training and sent them a resume, got called for an interview, interviewed on a Monday, got called on thursday and was in ground school the following Monday. This is my first jet job, and flying the Falcon 20 is an awesome plane and the company is great, a real first class operation. I sometimes wonder where I would be if I would have done my ratings back to back and really pushed harder, or If I had not gone to college. Well the answer to the first one might be that I wouyld probably be furloughed from some major, the second would be that I might not have an opportunity to get farther in my avaition career then where I am at. I don't regret going to college at all and delaying my avaition career, but I know many pilots that did accelerate their avaition careers and are now at a stand still due to the lack of a degree. Best of luck, work hard, and enjoy the journey....and most of all have fun.
I was right there in the same position your in about ten years ago. I learned to fly and got my PPL in the late summer of 93, between my junior and senior year in highschool. I went off to college and thought that I was going to fly in the Air Force, I joined ROTC. I made the mistake of putting all my eggs in one basket, I pushed off my flying and only added a rating every other year or so. I had a 3.0+ GPA, over 400 on the PFT test and all in the 90'a on the AFOQT, but what I didn't count on was a Female commander who was on her third strike with the airforce. When things started falling apart I quickly finished up my ratings, Comm, MEL. I graduated from college in 1999, went to work in Dayton Ohio fueling aircraft and teaching people how to fuel airliners, while working on my CFI. I then switched jobs to fly a Baron for a freind of mine while I ran his Marketing department. I then had an opportunity to go work for PSA Airlines in the crew scheduling department, this was a great chance to eventually interview and fly for them. I earned my CFI in May of 2000 and started instructing in Middletowne Ohio at a place called Miami Valley Aviation, the fly DC-3's, Beech 18's Piper Aztecs, Lears, and Falcons. So I flight instructed down there building my time to interview at PSA. Well eventually I interviewed at PSA and no job offer, not sure why but who knows. I then left to fly 135 for MVA in April 0f 2001. I really enjoyed learning about being a "Professional" pilot flying the DC-3, it was a lot of fun. As time moved on and 9/11 hit things that were already going downhill got worse. I was flying maybe twice a month. I had a friend whom told me that USA Jet Airlines was interviewing and hiring in the summer of 02, I talked to thier Director of Training and sent them a resume, got called for an interview, interviewed on a Monday, got called on thursday and was in ground school the following Monday. This is my first jet job, and flying the Falcon 20 is an awesome plane and the company is great, a real first class operation. I sometimes wonder where I would be if I would have done my ratings back to back and really pushed harder, or If I had not gone to college. Well the answer to the first one might be that I wouyld probably be furloughed from some major, the second would be that I might not have an opportunity to get farther in my avaition career then where I am at. I don't regret going to college at all and delaying my avaition career, but I know many pilots that did accelerate their avaition careers and are now at a stand still due to the lack of a degree. Best of luck, work hard, and enjoy the journey....and most of all have fun.
Tug Driver
I can't keep a girlfriend
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2003
- Posts
- 313
you sound like my dad
just like dad, always telling me to slow down. just remember what its like to be young and having the feeling that the plane is leaving without you...
my route...
ppl at age 17/21 now finishing up my cfi. majoring in criminal justice. a good degree that can be used in a variety of settings. such as flying for the border patrol or customs, or the FAA, not to metion other government or law enforcement agencys.
my career goal...
To fly, and get paid for it.
simple, and im not setting my self up for disappointment. im willing to pull banners, ferry a/c, drop skydivers, teach students, carry 135 cargo, regionals, charters, follow pipelines, ect....
its all good
wil said:
just like dad, always telling me to slow down. just remember what its like to be young and having the feeling that the plane is leaving without you...
my route...
ppl at age 17/21 now finishing up my cfi. majoring in criminal justice. a good degree that can be used in a variety of settings. such as flying for the border patrol or customs, or the FAA, not to metion other government or law enforcement agencys.
my career goal...
To fly, and get paid for it.
simple, and im not setting my self up for disappointment. im willing to pull banners, ferry a/c, drop skydivers, teach students, carry 135 cargo, regionals, charters, follow pipelines, ect....
its all good
kevdog
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2002
- Posts
- 888
Funny that this 17 year old appears smarter than half the people who replied...it must be an age thing.
I have to agree that the most important things to success are to keep flying, don't get discouraged, and be smart about your lifestyle. Not getting discouraged is a big one, especially in todays market; but on another note, being 17 right now sure beats being older and furloughed, the kids got plenty of time to pursue his career!
I did my first solo on my 16th birthday, private shortly after 17, and instrument and multi by 19. Went to college, stopped flying for 6 years, then got back into it and decided to pursue some type of career. My comm sel and mel by 26, became a jump pilot for a few skydiving centers, built lots of piston time, then some turbine. Now i'm flying freight as a fo, and finally getting back to work after a slow start to the new year. One thing i'm doing backwards is working on my instructor ratings now. It's a great reinforcement of your skills and always something to fall back on. Who knows, down the road it might be nice to be a sim instructor on the side. Work is work and networking is key!
Good luck and enjoy the road!
Fly safe and NEVER get complacent!
I have to agree that the most important things to success are to keep flying, don't get discouraged, and be smart about your lifestyle. Not getting discouraged is a big one, especially in todays market; but on another note, being 17 right now sure beats being older and furloughed, the kids got plenty of time to pursue his career!
I did my first solo on my 16th birthday, private shortly after 17, and instrument and multi by 19. Went to college, stopped flying for 6 years, then got back into it and decided to pursue some type of career. My comm sel and mel by 26, became a jump pilot for a few skydiving centers, built lots of piston time, then some turbine. Now i'm flying freight as a fo, and finally getting back to work after a slow start to the new year. One thing i'm doing backwards is working on my instructor ratings now. It's a great reinforcement of your skills and always something to fall back on. Who knows, down the road it might be nice to be a sim instructor on the side. Work is work and networking is key!
Good luck and enjoy the road!
Fly safe and NEVER get complacent!
loosecannon
Member
- Joined
- Apr 4, 2003
- Posts
- 11
I've always believed in the "bulldog" approach. If I never let go/give up I'll get the job. I'm still hanging on.
My path:
Got my private in high school in '82. Went to ERAU (not sure if it was worth the money, but I have used a lot of contacts from those days). Flight instructed, flew cancelled checks in a C-210, flew night freight in BE18's & DC3's, flew charter in King Airs & Lears, went to the regionals (Dash 8's), went to TWA (B727, DC9, MD80) then to mother Delta (B727 plumber, MD88), kicked to the curb in 2002, now I'm flying a BE30 single pilot for a NASCAR team. We'll see where all this goes, but I'm not letting go. I LOVE flying airplanes. I can't imagine doing anything else. If you have the bug (or sickness as my wife refers to it) you will probably make it to where you want to be. Like the posters before me said: enjoy the ride (I have), don't get discouraged (I'm working on that), and get a college degree. One more I might add (I think someone else might have), don't get comfortable; be willing to leave any job if the next one leads to something better.
My path:
Got my private in high school in '82. Went to ERAU (not sure if it was worth the money, but I have used a lot of contacts from those days). Flight instructed, flew cancelled checks in a C-210, flew night freight in BE18's & DC3's, flew charter in King Airs & Lears, went to the regionals (Dash 8's), went to TWA (B727, DC9, MD80) then to mother Delta (B727 plumber, MD88), kicked to the curb in 2002, now I'm flying a BE30 single pilot for a NASCAR team. We'll see where all this goes, but I'm not letting go. I LOVE flying airplanes. I can't imagine doing anything else. If you have the bug (or sickness as my wife refers to it) you will probably make it to where you want to be. Like the posters before me said: enjoy the ride (I have), don't get discouraged (I'm working on that), and get a college degree. One more I might add (I think someone else might have), don't get comfortable; be willing to leave any job if the next one leads to something better.
Alaskaairlines
Future Airline Pilot
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2003
- Posts
- 345
Well, I don't know if I am sounding smart - if so, I asked a simple question and the path I plan to take.
I don't want to speak ahead of myself - but once something happens (soon maybe), I'll post it here.........some might be a bit surprised.
I was once told by a Captain, if your head always turns skyward when plane passes over - then theres metal waiting for you one day - sooner or later......
Thanks fellas!
I don't want to speak ahead of myself - but once something happens (soon maybe), I'll post it here.........some might be a bit surprised.
I was once told by a Captain, if your head always turns skyward when plane passes over - then theres metal waiting for you one day - sooner or later......
Thanks fellas!
Jet_Dreamer
Living The Dream??
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2001
- Posts
- 291
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