Pilots! What happens after college?

Question

Lets say i have completed college and obtained my private, instrument, and commercial licenses. What happens next? Do i work for a regional airline and then get my ATP? I'm really not sure.

Answer 1

Well, the primary factor is how many hours you have. Some desperate regional airlines will take you with very low time, but not all. Trans State and GoJets will accept pilot with as low as 250 hours, but with GoJets you open up a can of worms since they're teamsters instead of in an airline union and it may be the only airline job you ever get. If you don't have the hours the primary means to obtain them is through flight instruction, although you could do other things such as flying sky divers, banner towing, etc. During this period don't be surprised if you're broke and working a lot of hours, many people have to work a second job to get by, but not all. Eventually you'll build enough time to be competitive and start having some serious job opportunities.

As for the ATP question, you'll need to be 23 and have at least 1500 hours to applicable, but it isn't necessary to begin flying for the airlines.

A couple things to keep in mind, it really is never too early to start sending in resumes. If nothing else you'll start getting your name out there and maybe get some interviewing experience which will help a lot. Plus, you never know when you might get lucky. Also, I would see about getting a non-flying job with a company you'd like to work for (making copies or getting coffee) and when they need someone you'll already have an in, this industry is all about connections. Best of luck.

Answer 2

If you've accrued enough time, which today isn't much, start applying at the regionals so you can get your turbine PIC and get out!

Some regionals are hiring people with 300/25. The ones that are hiring ultra low-timers right now are Mesa (ugh), TSA, Pinnacle, Colgan, Piedmont, Great Lakes, Big Sky and Air Wisconsin (very rare opportunity). I know of two pilots that were recently hired by Air Whisky with less than 300TT.

If you don't have any glass cockpit time, I suggest getting checked out in a 172 with G1000.

It's pretty scary that such low time pilots are getting hired right now. On one hand, it's a good opportunity for a new pilot. On the other, the 121 environment is a different world that requires a lot of experience to be proficient.

Until the FAA changes minimum requirements for 121 ops or the regionals run out of "qualified" candidates, it's going to continue to be scary. The regionals will continue to pay as little as possible. That is going to attract very few experienced pilots. It's going to be a rough few years.

A good road to consider is getting your CFI/II/MEI and instructing, flying jumpers, towing banners or something for some solid experience.

If you want to jump in now, it's understandable. There are just a lot of pilots out there that paid much higher dues and might be resentful of a 300 hour wonder pilot.

ALSO:

BrandonJ had an excellent point. AVOID GOJETS LIKE THE PLAGUE.

Here's the short story: GoJets was started by the CEO of TSA. TSA's pilots didn't want to fly CR7's for the same pay as CR2's. GoJets is all CR7's, went outside of TSA's pilot contract and hired other pilots. Then TSA furloughed a bunch of pilots...and offered them jobs at GoJets with no seniority over GoJets. There were a lot of transgressions and to put it mildly, GoJets pilots are not respected...AT ALL. Many pilots consider them scabs and refuse them jumpseat privileges. You never know who will be on the hiring board of your next airline. If you consider GoJets, there's a good chance it will be your last 121 job and commuting will be next to impossible.

The airline business is a small fraternity. People remember faces and names. That's all I got to say 'bout that.

Answer 3

Figure out any way possible to get the minimum hours required for on eof the regional jobs. You could do that by instructing, flying parachuters, or just by spending money to rent a 152 and flying around. Don't worry about the ATP yet, although some regionals do want you to have the written portion completed.

Answer 4

I never went to college.