Becoming an Airline Pilot After The Navy

NW004

NW004

Well-Known Member
I'm 18 and i'm enrolling in the Navy for 4 years, but i dont know if i should? My dream is to become a pilot, not to be a sailor, but the only way i could afford to become a pilot would be to Jon the Navy save every penny and use my GI Bill.

My question is what will be the fastest and cheapest way to become an airline pilot after the Navy? I'm thinking about Delta Connection Academy since it looks a whole lot better then other schools.

I need some opinions Please.
 
Why not go to college and apply for a pilot slot thru ROTC?

Do a LOT of reading in the forums before choosing a flight school *hint*.
 
NW004 said:
I'm 18 and i'm enrolling in the Navy for 4 years, but i dont know if i should? My dream is to become a pilot, not to be a sailor, but the only way i could afford to become a pilot would be to Jon the Navy save every penny and use my GI Bill.

My question is what will be the fastest and cheapest way to become an airline pilot after the Navy? I'm thinking about Delta Connection Academy since it looks a whole lot better then other schools.

I need some opinions Please.
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Join the Navy, see the world!!! Seriously, I did a 5 year stint in the Navy and it was 5 of the best years of my life. While my career may not have been typical it can be easily had.

I spent 3 years stationed at Pearl Harbor on shore duty and then spent a year onboard an aircraft carrier. My time on the carrier was outstanding. In six months I saw more of the world than many people get to see in a lifetime. Don't be in such a rush to get done though. Enjoy your time as it will be done before you know it. You will get out of the Navy exactly what you put into it.

And if your gonna join the Navy, request a carrier. They are by far the best place to be.

<ducks from the rest of my fellow shipmates on the board....>
 
Taco tuesday, the "auto dog" and bug juice
... or was that just in the officer's mess? :)
 
Doug Taylor said:
Why not go to college and apply for a pilot slot thru ROTC?

Do a LOT of reading in the forums before choosing a flight school *hint*.
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I wish i could, but i;m not a citizen, and in the NAVY my job will be an Aircraft Mechanic in avionics.

I still have a year to decide, i'm very happy to be part of this community it really is great.

BTW, how does VA benefits work? Do they cover 100% of flight training except private? Can you use them while you;re in active duty?
 
Doug Taylor said:
Taco tuesday, the "auto dog" and bug juice
... or was that just in the officer's mess? :)
Click to expand...

Shoot, Taco Tuesday, auto dog, bug juice, $hlt on a shingle...that was for everyone. The bug juice was great if you were thirsty and then when you were done, you could use it to polish the brightwork.

p.s.....get to know the cook/workers in the Officer's Mess. They get the best pizza (deep dish), but never eat it. At least not on the night shift....Hear the whistle....That's the pizza meeting in the Data Center...w00t!!!!

and watch out when they send you looking for:

10 ft of waterline
an HT punch
batteries for the sound powered phones
and last but not least......the mail buoy watch....
 
JEP said:
and watch out when they send you looking for:

10 ft of waterline
an HT punch
batteries for the sound powered phones
and last but not least......the mail buoy watch....
Click to expand...

Sounds like my intiation training when I worked that ramp for DL in CVG. Told me to find "prop wash" in my night on the j-o-b and that if I couldn't find it I would be responsible for everyone staying late past our shift until I did. After all they said was the duty of the newbie to do.

Maaaaaaan I went to almost every gate for DL at CVG even to Comair and rival airlines crew rooms/gates looking for "prop wash!" A good laugh was (had by all (and I mean all) but it was even funnier to see it done to other new hires after I had some seniority under my belt.
 
Don't join the Navy just because you want to be a pilot. If you're not in it all the way, forget about it! Do it because you want to serve your country and get paid to see the world. Though if you like working around or on aircraft and don't mind being away from home and working long hours, go for it. I had a blast my seven years in the Navy. The VA only pays 60% of each rating after private. As far as DCA don't waste your time. If you fly at an FBO like they do at DCA you'll finish in the same amount of time or faster. You'll earn more as a flight instructor elswere and depending on where you instruct, get your time built faster. I was a student and employee at DCA, so I've seen both sides of the coin. If you want to go to DCA take the tour, ask a LOT of questions and be prepared to pay out your butt.
 
NW004 said:
I'm thinking about Delta Connection Academy since it looks a whole lot better then other schools.
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Think harder please. (aka other schools)
 
That's a good point. Of all of the guys that were in the Navy that I work with, I rarely hear any of them say, "I just wanted to be an airline pilot".
 
I joined the Navy enlisted wanting to be a pilot. I tried my damn hardest but the officers over me just didn't like that I didn't kiss their arsh. So I decided to get out after 4 years and now I am in the reserves. After active duty I went to college full time. Got unemployment for half a year (REALLY NICE), also received grant money to pay for my college, and the MGIB was there for strip club money:nana2:. So all the money I saved while active duty went into my flying funds and paid out of my pocket for my private, and instrument licenses. The money living overseas in Japan while active duty was nice. So now I am an instructor building up hours for my next step, OUTER SPACE.
 
Ok first of all thanks for the replies guys. I do want to join the Navy, but i dont at the same time, i feel that if do i will loose 4 years of my life in which i could've become an Airline Pilot. But i also feel that if i dont, i will be missing out on traveling around the world and all of the great opportunities that they have to offer.

One question, lets say i come out of the Navy in 4 years and i want to go to ERAU, would they pay 100%? Or still only 60%? I want to go for Aeronautical Science at ERAU, but the course includes flight Training, so i dont know if they pay 60% or 100%.

Another thing is, 4 years Navy + 4 years ERAU, that will be 8 years before i'd see anything bigger then a Cessna. LOL

I'd apreciate any advise from anyone, i'm really on the crossroads of my life right now.

Thank You All
 
NW004 said:
No i'm on my senior year of High School
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Focus on education.

The school that you mentioned on you first post is going to say "Come on down! Bring money!" but you need to focus on education and not flight training at this point.

It's a tough pill to swallow, but it's my best advice.
 
NW004 said:
Ok first of all thanks for the replies guys. I do want to join the Navy, but i dont at the same time, i feel that if do i will loose 4 years of my life in which i could've become an Airline Pilot. But i also feel that if i dont, i will be missing out on traveling around the world and all of the great opportunities that they have to offer.

One question, lets say i come out of the Navy in 4 years and i want to go to ERAU, would they pay 100%? Or still only 60%? I want to go for Aeronautical Science at ERAU, but the course includes flight Training, so i dont know if they pay 60% or 100%.

Another thing is, 4 years Navy + 4 years ERAU, that will be 8 years before i'd see anything bigger then a Cessna. LOL

I'd apreciate any advise from anyone, i'm really on the crossroads of my life right now.

Thank You All
Click to expand...
Do not, do not, DO NOT GO TO ERAU! It's not worth the time or MONEY, and it is a LOT of money. There's no social life there either, the school's 98% male, and everyone is obsessed with aviation.
 
I would say got to college, after finishing if you still wanna go to the Navy you can go in as an officer and you will also have a chance to get a flying slot and become a pilot in the Navy which is the greatest thing in the world.
If you choose to stay a civilian, you can get your ratings, build some time and then start applying to regionals.
If you have any questions about degrees and colleges feel free to PM me.
 
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