I've wanted to be an airline pilot for as long as I can remember. However I've been working in IT for the last 3 years and am only now ready to commit all the money to training and then hopefully get a job. I have a private pilots license so I know I enjoy flying. I think I will enjoy being an airline pilot, but how do I know? I've spoken to others about it and from what I've heard, I will love it... but I do not want to change career and spend all this money only to end up in a job which I do not like or is not what I thought it would be. Any advice?
2007-05-21 09:00:48 · 6 answers · asked by hmmm 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Other - Careers & Employment
Well what are you expecting from it? You will be second in command as there will be a commander whom you will be under for some time. You will sit in a cockpit and see nothing but sky and airliners in a distance. You will look at all sorts of meters and speak to the Operations Officer before take off and then again whilst you are in the plan till you get to the point of no return. You will speak to Air Traffic Control and you will be sitting in cramped space with about two or three other guiys with a locked door lol, You will put your flaps up and take off and soar into the sky to about 35,000 ft and sometimes have bumpy rides. You will be served either with a pretty air hostess or a frumpy fat one depending on which airline you are working with. You will then talk again to Air Traffic Control and to the Operations Manager (Flight Despatcher) on your descent and make sure that your plane is on the right flight path and runway for landing. After all this you will be debriefed at Operations then you will relax in the crew coach and be taken to a 5 star hotel. Have a hot shower rest a little and then go for a five star meal. After your rest you will go shopping...buying all the stuff you cant buy here in england or......go and meet some pretty chicks somewhere...rest for 48 hrs and then take your onward or return journey. You will have girls oogling you because you wear a uniform and have respect of the air hostesses and fligh pursers. sooooooooo what do you think of all that? Made up your mind? BUT rememeber the medicals are very strict and they are every few months. Remember you must not drink for a certain amount of hours before a flight.Remember also...you might be having a wife and children at home or a girlfriend.. Bear all this in mind LOL. enough said!!! Good life. Good money...Good hotel accomodation and lovely food from all over the world!
2007-05-21 09:14:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Airline Pilot is one of everyone's favorite "dream job" , its pretty attainable, especially with the continued growth of the of the air traffic industry. I went to Embry Riddle University http://www.erau.edu/ (one of the countries leading pilot training schools) , while I'm in aviation management I can tell you some general concepts about aviation.
- In the early parts of your training its all about attaining as much hours and various types of ratings, IFR, multi-engine, jet etc. So this composes the grunt of the basic training. Your looking at $50,000+ and at least 2 years of training...
-After that you need to parlay your time in the cockpit into actual paying gigs, whether that be for an FBO or other small time outfit and then build enough hours and actual commuter flight time, so you can apply at a regional or national airline.
-You'll be competing head-on against military trained pilots who almost all exclusively go into airline pilot jobs after their military career. Airlines favor military trained pilots over non-military because of the hours and type of training.
-Finally when you land a job with a major carrier and your flying jets, you join the main union the http://www.alpa.org/ . and here its ALL ABOUT SENIORITY. Example lets say you start with Continental flying regional jets, you can only move up through the ranks based on your seniority, there's really no merit promotions, AND THIS IS INDUSTRY wide, which means if you leave Company A (or company A goes belly up) , you start with Company B, your back to square one seniority-wise...
Good Luck
2007-05-21 16:15:57 · answer #2 · answered by acb29 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I forget which company makes it, but there is a simulated airline pilot computer game. It goes through the whole act of flying a commercial airline. Go to best buy or do a search and it will come up. Flight simulator something. I forget the exact name, but from what I heard it's not too exciting.
2007-05-21 16:06:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a private pilot you have the freedom to fly wherever you choose. Are you prepared for the regimented routine of flying the same routes day in and day out? As I see it, it's the difference between being a motorist and a bus driver. But some people like driving buses.
2007-05-21 16:11:56 · answer #4 · answered by Michael B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its hard to imagine you wouldn't like it if you are PPL are enjoy flying. I have yet to meet a pilot who doesn't love his or her job. If in doubt, as you appear to be, why not go part time first as an instructor? That will give you time to decide while more exposed to a commercial environment, without giving up your day job
2007-05-21 16:10:00 · answer #5 · answered by tina k 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this simple test:
1. Do you want to earn loads of money?
2. Do you want to have loads of free time?
3. Do you like flying big planes?
4. Do you want to see the world?
5. Do you want to be very attractive to the opposite sex?
Yes? I think you knew the answer already.
2007-05-21 16:15:36 · answer #6 · answered by SPYBARG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋