pilot_man

Hi all,
Let me first start out by saying I am 20 yrs old just got my ppl in sept. I started my training at a local flight college, went there for a year and decided that the school had a lot of problems and I dont need to waste my money there. I recentley checked out ATP in Dallas Tx and decided that I really liked their program and I will be starting there in January. I hope to become an instructor with them also, so that will help build up my TT and also I will get a great deal of experience from teaching. I plan on working on my bachelors degree online after that when I am working as a commercial pilot so I can pay for it myself.My problem is I dont really know what to do afterwards. I love flying so any job will be a good one for me just as long as I live comfortably. My first thought was to go work for a regional airline but with as many problems as they are having I wouldnt know where to go. I have a friend who said he can guarentee me an interview with a freight company he works for on the east coast and I could either FO on an ATR or Captain on a caravan. Right now I like that idea because it is higher pay than the regionals and the job security is higher. So I really dont know if i want to fly corporate, freight, or airlines. They all have their own pros and cons. I like the luxery of corporate that you have the oppurtunity to fly people to the bahamas and have a vacation while they are hard at work. I also like the freight sector (like i said before higher pay and some better benefits). But I also wouldnt mind flying airlines because you can also fly to nice places (domestic or international), and I love the jumpseat oppurtunitys because I would love to go check out new places also. I also know that to be a captain you have to have your ATP license, since I am only 20 I still have a ways to go until I am old enough to be able to get it. So I guess what I am getting at here is if you were in my position which route would you go and why. Any advice helps to make my decision easier.


Thanks in advance,
pilot_man

pilot_man

So no one has any good advise?

Puppyz

i think you should just take things 1 step at a time. Finish your training and education first.

favila008

Pilot Man, people are tired of answering the same questions over and over. If you stick along for a while and start reading past threads and future threads, you will find all the info you need to make informed decisions. Only you can make those decisions and you only know what is best for you. Use the search function, and good luck.

scramjet

Yes, take it one step at a time otherwise you'll get burned out. Plan ahead but dont get too details oriented.

calcapt

You pointed out the many options that a flying career offers. There are no right or wrong answers. Continue your training and as decisions have to be made you will know in your heart what is best for you. I would encourage you to take the opportunities that push your limits and challenge your abilities. You want to be in a position in a few years of being comfortable with a plane full of passengers in challenging conditions. Good luck with your training and please feel free to PM me if I can be of further assistance.

check6

If you plan on instructing, instruct at a field where you can network with business jet owners. I nearly had a right seat in a citation(which would have rocked) but I took and airline job instead. I have no regrets, but I'm contemplating continuing to instruct on the side just in case one of these opportunities happen again. There are stable regionals out there, you just have to look.

pilot_man

Thank you all for the great advise!

kochankr

my two cents:

keep away from schools like ERAU. the education as far as classes go is good, the flight training ehh, and the cost for that is out the roof. better off at a smaller school...

just my opinion

EngineOut

No matter which direction you choose, remember this:

ENJOY THE JOURNEY

Too many young folks act like the path to a professional aviation career (with the airlines, corporate, or cargo) is a race. Plan a course that makes you well qualified for any opportunity -- this includes a four-year degree and perhaps some experience outside of aviation.

I started flying at 24 and it took me six years to make it to the airlines as a pilot. In the process, I've worn many hats in the aviation world. I've met a bunch of great people, learned a ton, and I wouldn't trade the journey for anything.