integra144

Wow! After reading this site and others like it I think being a pilot is actually plausible, but expensive. So this is what I have interpreted from reading this site. You don’t need a degree in aviation. Mainly I am majoring accounting as my parents want. So even if I graduate with an accounting degree, what I really need is flight hours. So if I start raking up flight hours at a local flight school; I can get hired by a smaller regional airline and begin to make my way up the chain? And mainly no one graduates from Flying College and start flying it kind of different then most carrier’s fields? Also I searched everywhere is there a height requirement I’m 18years old 5ft 6 inches 139Lbs and male. At the airport the pilots always appear to be at least 6ft. I only been in a cockpit of a commercial plane once I think it was a 757, but I was like 5 and now after 9/11 no one can be in there expect those authorized. Am I tall enough to reach the rudders? So it does not really matter if I major in Aviation or Bussiness; I am still on the same level as anyone else with a Aviation degree all I need is hours?
p.s. my dream/goal is to fly a 757 flights say from JFK to LAX or BOS to SFO. I would like to fly for AA first UAL and CO tie for second for me. Then the rest. Hopefully

Thanks a billion. These site are my only source of info as my parents do nothing in this field (accounting and engineering) and they think im nuts.

rickair7777

Welcome.

You are better off majoring in a non-aviation field. Furloughs are common, and some folks have medical issues as they age, so having a marketable backup skill can come in handy. Possession of an aviation degree will not help you get an airline job, they just don't care about it one way or the other.

In today's environment you can get your ratings and work as an instructor for a few months or a year or two at your local flight school and then get hired by a regional airline. In the past, you would have had to fly small cargo or business aircraft before being competetive for a regional, but with the current pilot demand you will probably not have to do that.

Few people graduate from "flying college" and go straight to an airline. For those few who do, the airline in question is always a horrible place to work at. Decent airlines prefer experience, measured in quantity and type of flight hours.

There are no height/weight restrictions for civilian pilots, although a severely obese person might have medical certification issues.

The military does have pilot height/weight standards, but you would qualify for all aircraft.

Your decision on what airline to work for will be based on many factors, but at this point you don't even know or understand what those factors are. Even if you knew, things will likely change by the time you get to that point. Wait until you have a regional job before you worry about major airlines. BTW, most majors do operate the 757.

Also, you might want to research the Air National Guard / Air Force Reserve. Search this site for some discussions on that, it will give you a real leg up on your aviation career.

Ottopilot

There is no height requirement. The seats and rudder peddals are adjustable.

You can visit the cockpit anytime BEFORE and/or AFTER the flight. Not during. Ask the flight attendants if you can see the captain.

You do not need an avaiation degree and I will not help you more than others with one. Get the accounting degree; it will be of more use to you. Get the ratings and start flying to get experience (cargo, corporate, regional, etc). When you get the experience for the major airlines, apply.

The 757 is old 1970's technology. You might like something newer. Look inside the 767-400, 777, and the newer Airbus models. I flew the 757 for a couple years and it is a great airplane. I miss it.

de727ups

Another good site to answer some of your questions, Integra, would be the home page at www.jetcareers.com

It's really set up well to educate a newbie to the biz.

integra144

Thanks all and for information and the site at jetcareers; I’m reading it now. I definitely will consider that the 757 maybe obsolete by the time I make the way up the big airline. I go on an introduction flight this Friday; really psyched and hope the weather holds out. I’m doing it at Executive Flyers Aviation at Hanscom in Bedford, MA. Has anyone heard of them? So this type of flight school can set me up on the path for working at an Americas largest airline Right? And I can stay at my current university which offers nothing in Aerospace? It’s just hard for me to believe that pilots don’t have to major in their field (not being rude). Most careers like accounting need you to major in Accounting or Pharmacy must major in Pharmacy. Thanks again.

Title27

Like everyone else said, It could be 10-12 years after you get your ratings to get hired by a major airline, and possibly 10 years after that to become a captain and start earning back what you paid for all those flight hours. Be sure you've got upwards of 20-30,000 dollars to spend on your basic ratings.

integra144

wow thats a long time, but at least when you have 5 years you can do some reganal service say with CRJ 700, BAe 146? and maybe even a Embraer E-Jets, but that would be pushing it I think. Hopefully, I am at least Global Express material.

Title27

Most people don't like flying for the regionals...

Ewfflyer

It's all about timing in the industry also. In the next two years I see hiring slowing way down again, maybe in 3-4 it'll jump and go back down in 5-ish. Time of experience, time of your life, time of the industry, all have to match up to make something actually work from what you plan for from this very moment. A lot of us have done a few side-tracks here or there to get where we want to be. Being flexible to do these is very important, because you never know when some great opportunity will show up, but it wasn't what your end-goal, or even mid-goal was. I never thought I would've been a freight-dog when I first started flying, but I did it and loved it(it does fit my personality too!).

meeko031

one man's trash is another man's treasure, hopefully someday I will be able to say I flew the 757.