Marine Veteran - Quickest Way to be a Airline Pilot

A

ARCannon

New Member
Ladies and Gentleman,

I'm sure this community gets bombarded with the same question but I thought I'd "politely" ask - what is the quickest way for a 31 year old veteran with a BS to become an commercial airline pilot? Is ATP the choice? I've read many say it's a good program if you can study your tall off and others say it's a horrible program and a waste of time. Is there any other programs that offer an accelerated course to become a pilot?

Any and all information is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
-Arron
 
ARCannon said:
Ladies and Gentleman,
I'm sure this community gets bombarded with the same question but I thought I'd "politely" ask - what is the quickest way for a 31 year old veteran with a BS to become an commercial airline pilot? Is ATP the choice? I've read many say it's a good program if you can study your tall off and others say it's a horrible program and a waste of time. Is there any other programs that offer an accelerated course to become a pilot?
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Sure. Quickest way - buy an airplane. Pay some out-of-work CFI to fly with you every day. Sell said airplane. Find job as CFI, then apply to airline(s) about 12-16 months later.

That is the "fastest" way, as you have an always available airplane, and an always available instructor. You could probably pay him $35/hr and be done in 2 or 3 months. For $40/hr, you would have a line of pilots looking to take that job (8 hour days). It would also be cheaper than ATP. You would still study your tail off.
 
If you have the Ch 33 bennies available and don't want to front 30-50K look into a local two year aviation program. Although you have a four year degree you should be able to use the benefits in such program. You may even be able to transfer those general credits so you can sign up for aviation courses and flight labs exclusively. I went to a two year program, it took a little over two years but that was due to a few personal issues and weather because of my location in the Pac NW. I have heard of people signing up for private and instrument first term. Commercial single and multi add on second term then CFI, CFII and MEI third term. All will require full time attention and a clear head as it will be a lot to accomplish. That should take about a year to accomplish but again, covered 100 percentvia the GI Bill.

Now if you have the funds available go for the non degree zero to hero. If the funds aren't available, be cautious going into too much debt in this career. Because after receiving your CFI you will make maybe 30K as a CFI building the 1500. Then first year at a regional will be about the same, minus the bonuses at the moment.

If you decide to go that route feel free to shoot me a PM. That GI Bill is the only reason I'm an airline pilot right now and it is such a great opportunity to get into the industry. I have heard certain programs no longer cover the private pilot cert, but a few do have a work around still covering it. Either way you decide to go, keep your head down and work hard but also have fun with it. Take family and friends on your cross countries, go to fun little airports with great food joints on location, that was my favorite part of the time building.
 
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Thanks for the replies!

Yes, I do have a four year degree.

I'm still not sure what route to take. I don't mind going into debt since I have none and I've been really looking into the zero to hero program at ATP.

Thoughts?

Thanks again guys,
-Arron
 
ARCannon said:
Thanks for the replies!

Yes, I do have a four year degree.

I'm still not sure what route to take. I don't mind going into debt since I have none and I've been really looking into the zero to hero program at ATP.

Thoughts?

Thanks again guys,
-Arron
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Aaron,

What's your background as a Marine? I'm currently Navy and am thinking the same thing. And I'm sure you're aware the GI Bill will cover some flight school, right?
 
FunSize said:
Aaron,

What's your background as a Marine? I'm currently Navy and am thinking the same thing. And I'm sure you're aware the GI Bill will cover some flight school, right?
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FunSize,

I was in intelligence.

I exhausted the GI Bill obtaining my BS.

-Arron
 
If you don't have debt I would sit and think about how great it is to not have it. Went to ATP and having that anchor of debt sucks. The all inclusive package is nice and clean and seems easiest when making this costly and stressful decision but I highly recommend going another way. You can prob find an instructor that has their own plane where you can buy time in block rates as well as instruction. Buying a plane for the sole purpose is also not a bad idea if everything goes as expected with maintenance and repairs which could get very costly. They do hold their value and 250hrs isn't a crazy amount of hrs to stack on it. In the end what raises the costs is the length of time it takes you and that is mostly up to you and your focus of getting each certificate and rating knocked out. Good Luck!


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ARCannon said:
Ladies and Gentleman,

I'm sure this community gets bombarded with the same question but I thought I'd "politely" ask - what is the quickest way for a 31 year old veteran with a BS to become an commercial airline pilot? Is ATP the choice? I've read many say it's a good program if you can study your tall off and others say it's a horrible program and a waste of time. Is there any other programs that offer an accelerated course to become a pilot?

Any and all information is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
-Arron
Click to expand...


What region of the country are you in? Do you have any GI Bill left after getting the degree?
 
Key word is Don't.......go learn a trade like welding, plumbing or electrician.....or pursue a career in the maritime industry working on local or ocean tugs or container ships/freighters or go to work in the railroad industry. Better benefits, often times a pension and better average pay.
 
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