Hi Everyone and Seniors!
My name is Muhammad Noman Arshad. I did my bachelors in aerospace engineering in 2015 from pakistan and have a two years of automobile industry’s experience. I recently moved to Romulus, Michigan like 1.5 months ago. Now i am a legal permanent resident having a green card. I have keen interest in aviation from my childhood. I want to start my career as a commercial pilot and i really don’t know that from where i would have to take start.
Can anybody please guide me from scratch that how can i start my career as pilot and how long it will take to start job in any airline as a pilot and about the finances too?
Muhammad,
Please take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions section of the forum as many of your questions are addressed in detail there. After that, we would be happy to help you with specific questions.
Chris
Thank you so much Chris. I am gonna start FAQs.
Muhammad,
I’m also a legal permanent resident and for most purposes we are considered equal to US citizens, we just can’t vote or hold a US passport. You can’t be considered an international student as a permanent resident. That’s for folks who have to get a visa (F-1, J-1 or M-1). The only difference in your program will be the TSA background check prior to starting ATP. Give them a call and they’ll send you instructions on how to apply for the TSA authorization. It will cost $390 and you will need to be fingerprinted but the process usually takes about a week and is fairly straightforward if you don’t have a criminal record.
As a permanent resident you have the same work rights as a US citizen, airlines will only be concerned with possible international flights and visa issues but you can become a US citizen in 5 years (3 if married to a US citizen) and you’ll likely still be in the regionals during that time. As a permanent resident you don’t need a visa for Canada and Mexico so this will likely not be an issue either. Don’t worry too much about it, it really doesn’t affect your career path outside of a couple extra TSA stuff.
Efe.
Hi Tokmanex!
How the TSA background check will be beneficial for me? Yeah i am married to a US citizen and will get my citizenship after 3 years. What is your profession? R u also a pilot or u also belong to the aviation field?
What do u say about my case that selecting this field would be good for me or not?
Norman,
The TSA background check will be beneficial for you because you will not be able to do your flight training without it.
Adam
1 Like
Muhammad,
I’m sorry if my message wasn’t clear. For any non-US citizen, the TSA background check is mandatory for pursuing any sort of flight training within the US. This needs to be approved before you can even reserve your start date with ATP. I’m a student at ATP. I can’t tell you if choosing this field will be good for you or not. I don’t know you, I don’t know what kind of person you are. Flying isn’t for everyone, but if you’re passionate about it then do it! I think it’s better to try and fail than regret never trying at all.
Cheers,
Efe
2 Likes
Efe,
I got it man. TSA background check is mandatory for non-US citizen. Yeah i know that you can not tell me if choosing this field is good or not. But can you please describle in general that how do you feel as an ATP’s student about the future scope of flight (as an airline pilot) and chances of career growth in this field?
Second thing i want to ask you is that its easy for an instructor at ATP to meet all his/her expenses by their pay checks?
(Expenses: Housing, living, insurance, pay back of loan)
Any comments and opinion will be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Muhammad
The aviation industry can be hard to predict. One day it’ll be great and the next the whole industry will crash. It’s directly related to passenger demand, which is directly related to how the economy is doing or if there are any crises going on. I’d advise against going into this field for the money. Do it only if you’re really passionate about it and don’t let the corporate crap kill your passion either. 
Check out airlinepilotcentral.com and their forums.
For your second question, this has been discussed here before… It really depends on your personal situation, what your expenses are, how many hours you’re getting as an instructor etc. You can always try to find a better paying instructor job, you’re not locked into ATP just because that’s where you got your licenses.
1 Like
Thanks Efe.
Yeah i am really passionate about my flying career but i am scared too because its just been hardy two months to me here in US and living with my in-laws, i am understanding the things with the passage of time.
I am scared that if moving to another state for joining any flight school would be how much difficult for me. Either i would be able to manage the things or not? You are understanding what i am trying to say. But inspite of all these difficult situations, i am working full time five days a week and after work i usually spend four to five hours on internet searching about flight schools, flight careers, pilot’s lives in US, career growth and many other things. The main difficulty i am facing right now is that no one is here around me to encourage me.
Thanks,
Muhammad
Norman,
While I generally restrict my advice to aviation career guidance vs individuals personal lives. That said I can’t help but think if after living in the US with your in-laws for 2mos. you weren’t spending all your free time researching a career that will take you away from you family a good deal of the time you might get a little more support and encouragement? Just a thought.
Adam
1 Like
I’ll agree with Adam and also add a bit to that - you only just got here. Our immigration status might be the same but I’ve been living in the US for 8 years, I’ve had the time to get adjusted, figure out how things work in the US and be comfortable with it. You might want to give yourself some time before you start your training. I understand that you’re excited and anxious to start training but a year or two really won’t put you that far behind in my opinion. If I were in your position, I’d be more concerned with spending time with family, trying to adjust to living in the US, and maybe saving up for flight training. You could, of course, always go to a smaller Part 61 school after work every day and get your licenses that way. There are many routes and the choice is yours alone.
1 Like
You are absolutely right Efe. I should give some time to myself to be comfortable with things here and should spend as much time with family as i can. But the thing is that i also remain in tension about my career that how can i enter in flying field, what can i do, what should i do in flying, what will be the best and cheapest route to enter in flying. That’s why i joined this forum to collect information about flying field.
I also want to ask that what are Part 61 schools? Actually, what does Part-141 and Part-61 means?
Thanks,
Muhammad
Norman,
The FAA certifies all flight schools as either Part 61 or Part 141. Basically Part 141 schools have prescribed curriculum which has a set amount of hours for each phase of the program which is then followed by stage checks. Part 61 allows more flexibility in the curriculum based on the needs of the student. ATP is Part 61 which is what allows the program to be accelerated.
Adam
2 Likes
Hello Adam I was wondering to go from flight instructor to airline pilot what position do they start you off in? also is growth and salary increase high and quick if you work hard? thanks
Cristian,
All new airline pilots start as first officers, regardless of the airline or what their prior experience is.
While it might seem like “working hard” would have a big. Impact on your career, seniority is the over-riding factor that contributes to pay increases and advancement. There really isn’t much that a pilot can do to control seniority other than get to the airlines as quickly as possible.
Chris
Cristian,
I suggest you take a look at our FAQ section but you will start at a Regional airline as a First Officer. Your pay and position will increase with your seniority.
Adam