I just started looking into ATP/flight school as a complete career change. Currently, I am a nurse (for the past 12 yrs) and I have always been interested in flying so my thought was to get a private license to fly myself/family one day but then I saw a youtube video on someone who had a commercial license and they had gone to ATP I think and I thought that would be amazing so I started looking into it. I’m getting burnt out with bedside nursing and at the stage of deciding to go back to graduate school or make the jump to something new.
I have always loved flying. I had the chance to do a simulator probably 15 yrs ago and I still think about it, it was like this traveling tractor trailer deal they came and set up for the public and I loved it. My first real flight experience was a 12 hr flight to London and I felt at home and really enjoyed it.
I feel like flight school could be a good next step. I realize it’s an accelerated/busy program but has anyone done this with kids? I know it needs to take priority but is it manageable? Does anyone have any tips?
Did anyone else here have prior experiences (like private license first, etc) that made them want to be a pilot or did you love flying as a passenger and that was all the knowledge/experience you had prior to applying?
Good morning, Lacey—
Your transition is not unusual at all, and all of the folks that I’ve come across that are in the medical field have come with zero experience in the airplanes. I currently know of two students wrapping up their CFI training and instrument training, who were OR and ER nurses respectively. The first step would certainly be to obtain your First Class Medical and schedule a discovery flight at your preferred ATP location. Being a passenger on a 12 hour flight does not really compare to being at the controls of a little aircraft for 1.5-2 hour stints at a time, which is where you will spend the first 2.5-3 years. Make sure this is something you can manage. I’ve also known many students in their second career also managing family/kids while in training. I am not going to lie—when you’re training at ATP and aim for success, family will have to go on the back burner, so a good support system is a must. So does your primary career… Start picking up shifts in between your flying days, or delay studying to make time for that soccer game, and you may miss something in training and fail a checkride. Do that a couple of times and your “dream” airline may stay just that—a dream, since a good record of performance in training absolutely matters.
That being said, I would also recommend to maintain your licensure up-to-date and perhaps get a multi-state. If we find ourselves in a midst of another “black swan” event, your primary career will carry you through financially during an aviation industry downturn. After all, you could easily cover what you can anticipate to make as a CFI in a year in one to two months of travel nursing. The world is your oyster…
When I went through the program I was single with no kids. There were some students with kids. I don’t know the details of how they managed it all, but I do know that their families fully supported them through the program.
Back then ATP only have the accelerated program. Now, ATP has an accelerated and a flex track program. Take a closer look on ATP’s website to determine which program is best for you. Keep in mind though that the preferred program is the accelerated one. This is because the sooner you can start building seniority at the airlines the better. That said, if your personal situation just isn’t compatible with the accelerated program, then maybe the flex track program is a better fit.
Before you take any real steps towards any flight training program, you should take an intro flight. I know you expressed your love for flying (as a passenger) but flying is a totally different experience, especially in a small trainer-sized aircraft. You can book an appt for your intro flight with ATP or any flight school for that matter. The idea is to enjoy the experience, ask questions, absorb as much as you can, like a litmus test.
After your intro flight the next step would be to see if you can hold a 1st Class medical. You can apply for that online and you can find a local AME to administer the test.
For now, I suggest spending some time in the FAQ, Student Experiences, and the Pilot Mentor Bio sections.
I actually got my Private many years before I started with ATP. I never believed I could be an airline pilot (thought that was reserved for military pilots etc). I came back to aviation many years later after I too was very burnt out from the restaurant business. At the time I had a wife, 3 kids, 2 dogs and a mortgage. It definitely wasn’t easy and you will need to support of your family. This is something you’ll need to discuss and impress upon them it won’t work without them.
Next I second what Tory said about getting some experience. Sitting in the back of a plane going to London and comparing it to being a pilot is like watching a football game on TV and deciding you’d like to play pro ball. Till now you’ve simply been a spectator.
Yes, I definitely have the support, if I don’t go this route, grad school would be an intense 3 yr program that I’m unable to work, so we’ve already planned on that, a shorter program would just make things easier.
I am also happy that I do have a “safe and essential” career to also fall back on so it makes me more comfortable attempting to take this new role on.
Thanks for the insight, that’s what I was trying to figure out, if everyone who has went on to be a pilot had previous experiences/exposure or if you had only flown as a passenger and then went on to school and loved it. I also only thought it was reserved for previous military and was excited to learn I had the option for it.
Welcome to the forums. Your first step should be to take an introductory flight. It is one thing to look out the window and think you love flying, it is quite another to actually take the controls of a small airplane and fly it through the sky.
I did not have children when I went through the program, but I can tell you that it will be very difficult with children. You will need 100% support from your partner and you need to be willing to miss some things like school plays, soccer games, etc. That being said, it is certainly doable.
Take the intro flight and see where you are. If you are still not sure, take a few more lessons until you really know.
Lacey,
Welcome! You’ll find many here had previous careers and found the love of flying later. I grew up flying on the airlines and loved the idea of flying as well, but you really aren’t prepared for training until you take a discovery flight…or multiple. You should also secure your first class medical as well before you take out the loan or put down any money on training.
Glad to hear you have a great support system, just know that ATP is a shorter period of time, however will be way more intensive than a grad program. The fast pace comes from devoting yourself full time to your training, 7 days a week and at all hours. You could be asked to come in for a early morning flight on a Sunday, stay late for grounds or sims and have checkride even on holidays. The program has no designated “off time” except a few days at thanksgiving and Christmas so be prepared to drop anything to go to the training center.
As for “safe and essential” career… it is, to a degree. It is vulnerable to major events that stop people from traveling and then our job security tanks. Take what happened during COVID. Pre COVID the airline industry was stronger than ever… in a matter of months, furlough notices were going out. Luckily, you have a career you could go back to if needed.