Postal Letter

Pilot Career?

What's the better route to be a pilot: go to Embry-Riddle or join the Airforce? If Embry-Riddle, can you explain the process from there to be a pilot at a major airline? If military, can you explain the process from there to be a pilot at a major airline (e.g. Cathay, FedEx, UPS) ?

Public Comments

1. Depends, do you want to be an Air Force officer? If not, stay the heck out, as you will not be happy. If you do want a military career, great, make the most of it and then decide if you want a blue collar pilot job, which is what the once proud profession has devolved into.
2. ERAU or Air Force? Why limit yourself? Neither one may be the BEST route for YOU! You should investigate ALL options. ERAU: Get a 4 yr degree plus pilot certificates for a cost of about $100,000. Graduate with maybe 300 flight hours. Need to build up flight experience like anyone else who went to a mom & pop flight school, then apply to the regionals with 600-1,000 flight hours. Get hired. Fly until you have several thousand hours flight time with the regional, then start applying to the major airlines. More info- http://www.pilotcareer.info http://www.jetcareers.com Air Force: Join. Hopefully make it through their pilot selection process. (Even if you are selected, you may not pass the training program.) Build flight time until your service time is up. Apply to the major airlines. Read these links of interest on the AF route- http://www.wikihow.com/Become-an-Air-Force-Pilot http://www.baseops.net/militarypilot/roadtowings.html http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/73018/how_to_become_a_fighter_pilot_in_the.html Note that 65% of airline new hires are now from a civilian background, according to Air Inc Pilot Career Counseling Services. http:www.jet-jobs.com