what would my chances of getting an airline pilot job be if i had more experience flying... instead of a degree?
would my chances be better if i did have a degree?..... because i'hve heard that a degree isn't really necessary for flight training....
thanks
2007-09-12 04:52:29 · 6 answers · asked by lilwingACA 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Aircraft
A degree, regardless of what anyone tells you is absolutly necessary for advancement. Yes, you can work for a regional without one, only because of the pilot shortage... and dont expect that to last forever...
Hours go a LONG way in getting a job with a regional airline... but thats not anybody's career goal... You want to fly for a legacy airline, or at least a major one....
Take for example Mesaba Airlines, they are hiring now, they do not require a college degree and they do not require hardly any hours it seems like... it would be easy to get a job with them. Once you are in with them, your advancement within the company will probobly not be hindered because then it comes down primarily to seniority...
Now you are a captain with Mesaba and there is openings at Northwest ( A legacy carrier)... You look at the requirements for the job, it requires 1500 hours, you have it, several other requirements that you meet, including that last one about a high school dipolma or equivalent... You have it!... Therefore you are qualified to be considered for employment...
But wait, a college degree is preferred... and everyone and their brother applied for this job since its a legacy carrier... while you meet the minimums, you are going to need more than that with a big name like Northwest, American, Continental, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, ect... That (college degree preferred) part of the requirements will come back to get you 10 or even 20 years down the road... by that time you have had a great career with the regionals... only to find out that you are as far as you can possibly get...
2007-09-12 15:59:52 · answer #1 · answered by ALOPILOT 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
First let's get your terminology straight. A "Private Pilot" is someone who holds a Private Pilot Certificate, which is the basic license all pilots earn on their way to becoming commercially rated. A private pilot cannot fly for compensation or hire. What you are referring to is a Commercial Pilot or Airline Transport rated pilot who flies a privately owned aircraft. Such planes are owned by wealthy individuals or corporations, or they are private aircraft rented or leased from a charter company. As for your answer about pay, some of these pilots can be very well compensated, but it depends upon what type of aircraft they fly, whether they are the captain or copilot, and the exact nature of the job. Airline pilot salaries also depend upon the type of aircraft that are flown, which seat is occupied, and the length of employment. However, it can be said that very few pilots of private aircraft earn more than the median salary of a major airline pilot. In the USA, that is around $90,000, with the range being about $36,000 for new copilots to $170,000 for a senior captain. Most pilots of private aircraft r more than a regional airline pilot, where salaries range from about $18,000 for a new copilot to $75,000 for a senior captain.
2016-05-17 22:01:20 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A degree is not necessary at most airlines. There are some that still require it though. Mainly some of the majors. Experience would help you for the regionals to start off with as many of the pilots I work with are taking online courses to get their degrees. When you get ready to apply to the majors, you will be more competetive if you have the degree though.
2007-09-12 05:44:39 · answer #3 · answered by IFlyGuy 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Iflyguy is correct
Back in the old days when I started pilots were almost like sand on the beach...Way too many for the amount of jobs... The companys' used 'qualifications' to reduce the number of available applicants. They used 20/20 vision, college degree, turbine time, etc.....But even back then their were regionals that required only the mims...com, instr, multi.,as most of those jobs were props. It took a long time to jump into the majors, unlike today which is somewhat easier.
2007-09-12 07:12:42 · answer #4 · answered by flea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your chances of getting the job is having more flying hours.
2007-09-12 09:22:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
a degree would give you a better chance
2007-09-12 15:33:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋