currently right now I’m 18 years old and I attend a community college and working on getting my associates degree. Being a pilot is always been my dream but everytime I do some researches I get scared and question myself about this. so I really need some help. I’ve been thinking should I join the ATP program after I finish with community college. because I know th process of becoming a pilot takes long and I want to start as soon as I can. I also want to know if it’s like a school with homework and tests and quizzes or mainly it’s going to be hands on flying. and if the certification is hard or not and what happens if u fail them. and also how long does it take to be hired as an instructor to get paid. because if I graduate from college in 2020 and apply to ATP I want to know how long is going to take me to get paid so I can build a family or do you think I should give up on this dream because I’m way too young?
Hello Omar and Welcome!
First off Omar the only thing you’re too young for is giving up on your dreams! Second what makes you think you want to be a pilot? Have you ever flown a small plane? Many people think it’s cool (and it is) but how can you rack your brain trying to figure out if this is what you want to do for the next 45 yrs of your life if you’ve never tried? If you’re serious you need to go to your local ATP or flight school and take an intro flight otherwise this is all rather pointless.
Now let’s say you do and you enjoy it. Great ATP is def the way to go. Yes there’s homework, yes there are quizzes (and oral, written and flight tests), yes it’s hard and challenging and yes it requires a tremendous amount of study and commitment. I honestly want to thank you for asking Omar because for some reason there are many people out there who think because they flew an airplane on Grand Theft Auto that Delta airlines is going to just hand over the keys to a $300 million dollar airplane with 300+ lives and say here you go!?! It is definitely challenging BUT also worth the sacrifice and commitment if you’re up to it. As for failures many people have 1 on the records and it’s not a biggy. When it becomes more than 1 well that could be a problem. Let’s assume though that you’re going to study and work hard so failures won’t be an issue.
After you complete all your training its another couple of weeks to be standardized as an instructor and you could be instructing and getting paid within a month.
Adam
no I honestly never flew before. but yes I think I want to do it for the next 45 years of my life because I really enjoy flying and enjoy the environment and excitement of flying/traveling and I want to pursued this dream. okay and also r there going to be instructors teaching you these lessons and prepare you for the exams or is it all self taught type of thing. and lastly what do you mean by take an intro flight?
Omar,
Taking an introductory flight means exactly that, a first flight where you and an instructor go up in a small airplane for a flight where just the basics are covered. You will likely do a few takeoffs and landings along with some maneuvers. The flights typically last 30-45 minutes. You can take an intro flight at ATP or at just about any other flight school. Look here for more informations: https://atpflightschool.com/programs/intro-training-flight.html
Learning to fly involves a lot of time spent with instructors, both in the air and on the ground. Much of your material will be taught to you by your instructors, some of it in a class room setting. That being said, there is a lot of self study involved along the way. At the end of the day it is much like any other type of training, instruction followed by self study.
Chris
“Yes I think I want to do it”. Omar buddy the key words in that statement of yours is “I think” and there should be a question mark after that. Not trying to talk you out of it (quite the contrary) but if you haven’t ACTUALLY FLOWN AN AIRPLANE then you don’t know. Fact is ATP won’t even accept your money for training until you do. That should tell you something. If you’re serious you need to go up!
Adam
I know I’m asking a lot of questions and I apologize. but for the intro classes is there any requirements? or do I just make an appointment and go?
Omar,
There are a few requirements before you can take an intro flight with ATP. The first is that you must pass the Intro Flight online learning module. The second is that you must be at least 18 years old, and the third is that you must be capable of obtaining an FAA First Class medical certificate. You don’t actually have to have the medical certificate, but you must not have any major health concerns that would prevent you from having one. If you click on the link I sent you earlier these requirements and the link to the online learning module is all there.
Other flight schools will probably just take your money and let you go fly. The purpose behind ATP requiring you to take the online learning module is that they want you to actually learn something. Flying isn’t just about hands on the controls, there is a lot of book learning that goes into it as well. Either way though, the intro flight is basically a fun introduction to flying.
Let us know if you end up scheduling one.
Chris
lastly what if u want to fly for an airline overseas how does that? and what’s the process?
Omar,
Flying for an airline overseas is a whole different process. To begin with “overseas” is a broad term, you need to look at which specific country you want to fly in. I would think about the airline that I wanted to fly for and check what the country they are based in requires of their pilots. I would also then look into what residency requirements that country or airline has to see if they will even hire a pilot from outside of their country.
Chris
Omar,
Really depends on the country and the airline. Pretty much every country has their own governing aviation authority. Some will recognize your FAA licenses, some have a simple conversion process, some it’s more complicated. Many foreign carriers actively recruit US pilots (Asia in particular) and the airline themselves will help with the conversion. If you have a particular airline or country in mind I’d do some Googling and see what they require.
Adam
Hey Omar! Although it’s been almost 8 years since this conversation started, I find myself in the exact same position as you were once in and with college about to start, I’m really worried. I want to have that clarity. And I’m just wondering if you’re comfortable sharing what ended up happening in regards to your dream of pursuing a career in this area. And, how did you deal and figure things out? And if you decided to pursue a different career, how did you know that you wanted to do something else?
Anything would be greatly appreciated 
- A very, very lost 18 year old
Marie,
As you point out, this thread is 8yo. I could be wrong but I think the chances of Omar returning are pretty slim. That said I understand why his post might resonate with you.
If Omar responds great but if not we’re all here to help you with your confusion. Please feel free to ask any and all.
Adam
Hey Adam! Thanks for getting back to me so quick. I’m right about to turn 18 in actuality, in September. That being said I just graduated high school, and I committed to a private college with the intentions of becoming a dentist (completely 180 I know 
) and so over the summer, as school is about to begin I’ve been been thinking and reflecting and I believe I would like to become an airline pilot. I know there shouldn’t be an “I believe” or an “I think” but it’s true! I do THINK i would like to become a pilot. But I won’t know for certain until I take a discovery flight. But much like Adam, I keep having doubts and scare myself the more I look into it. But I feel my heart tells me that this is FOR ME. And I know I have what it takes in regards to intelligence and dedication. It’s just a matter of fear for me. If I decide on doing this, I have to go to a different college with an aerospace and aviation major where I will leave with a bachelors degree and a commercial pilots license (2 in 1). This college is by far more affordable than the private college I was originally intending on attending, but I’m afraid. I just wanted to ask for some advice, should I go for it?
And, what made you want to become a pilot, and how were you certain it was for you? What’s the best and worst part about it?
Thanks in advance 
Marie,
A couple of things. First there’s nothing wrong with “thinking” or “believing”, but tune fact is until you go up your really won’t know for certain. Before you take another step in any directly direction, I’d take an intro flight or lesson (or 3) and see. There’s a physical component to our career and frankly, it’s not something everyone enjoys.
Next, if you decide you don’t want to be a dentist and want to fly, that’s fine but you don’t need to change schools or even majors. While the airlines all want a degree, NONE prefer an aviation degree. It’s neither required or desired and most important or offers no backup should flying not work out either by choice or circumstance.
As for me while I started flying when I was in my 20s, I didn’t actually make it a career till much later in life. I was under the misconception that all airline pilots were former military and it just wouldn’t be possible. I simply flew recreationally for years. At a certain point in my life I realized I was going to be working FOREVER, and while I made good money, I wasn’t satified and didn’t enjoy what I was doing so I started thinking of thing I did enjoy. That kept bringing me back to flying. I honestly still never thought I could be an airline pilot, so I just got the rest of my licenses and ratings so maybe I could instruct or find some other flying side gig. The folks at ATP told me I was wrong (I didn’t believe them and thought it was just a sales pitch but I liked the school). After I instructed for a bit and built my time they said I should apply. I did and 2 weeks later had an interview. They were dumb enough to hire me an the rest as they say is history. I’m now a Capt and Check Pilot for a Major airline. I live in Hawaii and life is good!
The best part of my job is getting paid REALLY well to fly people to their vacations, jobs, families etc etc etc in a really cool plane while hanging out with some really nice coworkers. For me the only bad part is I should’ve started younger like you but when I was your age I was much more confused than you claim to be 
Adam
Wow!! Thank you so much this is great advice and thank you so much for responding and taking your time to give me well thought out advice. It was very helpful!!! 
Another question though, school A is the private one I’m already enrolled in, they don’t have any aviation or aerospace related majors and albeit you said that I don’t need a degree in anything like that to become a pilot, the question still remains.
Should I go to school A or school B?
As for school B they have an aviation major and, as well as graduating with an aviation degree, you could come out of school with everything leading up to and including your commercial pilots license, and as a lower income student would you say it’s worth it price wise to spend a little more money on school B to save money and time in the long run? Or should I remain in school A? If I go to school A, then it’d take a few years longer to get to my destinations and also, a bit pricier because you can’t necessarily take out student loans for aviation school I don’t think? Both schools I get great scholarships but I’m just a confused. And I gotta decide very soon because if I decide to go to school B after August 26th, then I’m liable for tuition in school A which wouldn’t be very good or ideal at all haha 
Other than that, any other advice, or anything you think I should know? Or resources I should look at?
Marie,
At the risk of repeating myself, I really don’t see the point of an aviation degree and yes you can take out loans for flight training, but of course it’s up to you.
Adam
Alright, thank you so much Adam! I appreciate your advice and help tremendously. Have a great rest of your day
Marie,
I think aviation degrees are absolutely pointless, they do nothing to advance your career as pilot and do not provide any sort of backup plan if aviation does not work out for some reason. I would focus on getting a degree in something other that aviation, then attending an accelerated flight training program. It isn’t just about getting to the career as fast a s possible, the quality counts as well.
I would strongly encourage you to go take an introductory flight and see how you feel after that. If you still are unsure, I would work until at least your first solo to see how you feel.
Marie,
Hello! What other interests do you have outside of aviation? I have a degree in journalism and was a news producer in my former life… Besides being a great topic of conversation in interviews and in the flight deck, I know I could always get a job as a writer at any local paper, tv station or online in the case the entire aviation industry tanks again. Just some food for thought…
Hannah
Thanks, Chris!! I appreciate your help 
I think I was freaking out and rushing into things. I’m planning on taking an introductory flight as soon as possible, hopefully before school begins. And then I’m gonna stay in the school I’m enrolled in, just with a major I’m genuinely interested in.