Time from Start to Airlines?

[Ryan Hornback]

I am currently a Junior in high school. I know I am going into aviation, and would absolutely love to be a pilot. I am not sure if I want to be one though due to the schedule they have. Anyhow, I have been considering it more lately. I have already started towards my PPL. I plan to have it before I am out of high school, and if not, soon after. I was wondering, from the time it takes starting out in aviation, if I got hired on at the bottom of the commercial aviation, like flying single or twin props (I think that is where I would have to start at?). How long would it take me to make it up to the big airlines like UPS? I know it varies for everyone, and job availability, but what is an estimate. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[martymayes]

I am not sure if I want to be one though due to the schedule they have.

Yes, working 11-12 days a month is a tough schedule. What is it exactly about the schedule you're not sure of?

How long would it take me to make it up to the big airlines like UPS? I know it varies for everyone, and job availability, but what is an estimate. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I've known pilots that made it to a big airline by their mid 20's and I know some that made it to a big airline by their mid '40's and others that made it at all ages in between. Lots of factors play a role, some you can control, some you have absolutely no control over what so ever.

[rangerofthewest]

It's very possible to make it up to airlines by 20. However, you need a minimum of 1500 hours, a multiengine rating, a jet rating for the jet you are flying, a commercial license, an ATP license, an High Performance Endorsment an IFR and Private licesne. If you work hard, you can make it in 6 years. But it's hard work to earn all those in 6 years.

[Ryan Hornback]

The main part of the schedule I would not be sure of is just the fact of being away from my the family which I hope to have some day.

If I could get it by mid 20's it would be amazing. I don't live that far from the UPS World-port hub and would love to be able to fly for them one day, if I don't become a pilot though, I am going to go into other parts of aviation such as the engineering aspect of it, or avionics, or any other branch that I come across between now and then I find interesting possibly.

Still though, becoming a pilot would be a dream. I would be getting paid for my passion.

[wotai]

Getting paid for your passion! That's awesome and that's the very reason why we all do it.

Do you plan on getting a degree as well?

[Janet Davidson]

Rangerofthewest,

Assuming you are, as you say, 13 years old, what personal experience are you basing your time from start to the airlines on?

[KDoersom]

Janet.

I have found the the average from I want to learn how to fly till you make it to a major is about 10 years. Figure 2-4 years to get ratings.1-3 years of teaching and the 3-4 years at the regionals.

Just my $.02.

Keith.