Magby

I went to flight school (helicopter) a few years ago. Got all my ratings and went to work flying helicopters. Gung ho rookie with the ink still wet, you know the type. I chose helicopters because of the hype about all the vets retiring and of course helicopters were cool right! Plus salaries were skyrocketing because of the shortage of pilots. Now with a few thousand hours and the reality that trash truck drivers (I have no problem with garbage men) make more than helicopter pilots, and probably always will, I was thinking about the airlines. I have all my airplane ratings and enough time for the small carriers. I am 27 and was just curious if anyone would give me some advice. Should I take the bite in pay for a year or two and try for the majors or are the majors a diminishing dream for rookies like me.
I still love to fly and have a great attitude at work but flying helicopters is looking more and more like a job instead of a career. I, as everyone else I have talked to, would love to work for the coveted SWA. SWA would be my goal if I make the switch. Any advice on how the best way to get there is? Am I going to starve to death in the meantime? Is the grass really greener?

LAfrequentflyer

Who do you fly for?

Where did you go to school?

Feel free to PM me if you prefer...I know many people in the helo business and most of them are doing quite well...

-LA

Rama

If you don't have any fixed-wing time it'll be more than a couple years to be competetive for SWA. I'm not saying not to do it, just realize that it may take awhile. The better carriers require 1,000 pic turbine airplane so that's what you're looking at shooting for to get an interview. 27 is still young enough to have a long career.

WatchThis!

For the SWA info, listen to the latest APC podcast - good stuff! The bad news is they don't credit helo time. You will need about 1200-1500 PIC turbine fixed wing to get there.

As far as the grass being greener, you're the only one who can make that call.

Good Luck.

L'il J.Seinfeld

I would seriously reconsider SWA as your ultimate goal. It's a great company in a terrible industry. UPS and the other cargo companies are the only stable jobs left that pay really well and where you could have a career. They are great companies in a very profitable industry.

SkyHigh

Magby,

You shouldn't make decisions about the future based upon the situation that we have today. It could be easily 5 to 7 years before you are even able to apply. Who knows what the industry will be like then? 7 years ago no one would have guessed that we would see NWA, UAL and DAL in chapter 11. Things could be much better or worse. UPS and FedEx could have contracted all their flying to foreign carriers by then. SWA definitely would be way past the bulk of its hiring in 2013 years unless they decide to conquer the world. If you were to get on with SWA you probably would spend the rest of your career as a junior FO. I would only do it if I was confident that I could jump back into helicopters if things in the airline world turned for the worse.

SkyHigh

nw320driver

I learned to fly in helicopters in the Army (I still miss it), then I got out and started flying fixed wing. I made more money at the Airlines, but I had more fun flying helicopters. If you go the fixed wing route, it is going to take some time and money, but you can do it. Good Luck, what ever way you go....

aspiring_pilot

i try to keep dumb comments to a minimum, but i cant hold it....



VINCE YOUNGGGGGGGG

WHO?

VINCE YOUNGGGGGGGG

aspiring_pilot

upon reading, do airlines give a **** about helo time?

did u go straight from army to your a320 right seat?

are you at jb?

is vince young god?

nw320driver

No, I am not at JB. I worked for 10 years at the commuters, overseas airlines & cargo, and then I got to my current job at NWA. Now it looks like it may end real soon after 9 years. I am looking for a new job like everyone else.