Hello, I have recently had the motivation to become a pilot. I am deciding on ATP, as it looks like they have the best resources and time frame compared to others. My other choices were L3Harris and Academy of Aviation. Now I have done a lotttt of research, asking friends that are in the program or did it in the past but I still have a lot of questions before being able to fully commit into this. I just want to make sure I am not making a mistake.
First to begin with, I am genuinely interested in becoming a pilot. It is something I have always found interest in as a kid, but the hefty price tag always pushed me away.
Here are my questions: (Asking again as the threads I have read are more than 5+ years old.)
I have read almost everywhere that MCO is one of the hardest home bases as majority seniors choose this one. I have been born and raised in Orlando and would hate to leave but I am ready to commit and move forward from this. I guess my question would be, does Orlando have more airline bases here? Or the possibility is still very slim?
My following question from that would be I have read many threads stating that pilots “commute” to work at their bases from different states/city. Would the “expenses” of those travels be under me since I decided doing that route? Is it a headache doing that?
Do the regionals pay you to move or are you on your own for that?
How hard is it getting into the Endeavor program? Delta is the dream as I am sure it is for almost all of us joining. I see their benefits and pay are great.
If I have more questions I will definitely try to search for it before asking. Thank you in advance.
Not sure where you got MCO is a senior base, but the only Major with MCO as a base is SWA. If your goal is Endeavor and Delta commuting will be in your future.
Commuting is a choice so the expense and responsibility is on you. With that in mind as pilots we can “jumpseat” and fly for free on any airline in the country, so there’s really no expense for the travel. The expense comes from what you do when you get to your base or finish a trip. Unless you can hold “commutible” trips, you’ll need to get a hotel or crashpad (shared apt) to stay in before or after your trips. Yes commuting is a headache. How big a headache depands on the commute, time of year, weather, etc etc etc.
Moving is on you unless you’re deplaced involuntarily.
Today getting hired at Endeavor is fairly easy. Next week, next month, next year, etc no one can say. This industry is cyclic and has many ups and downs. While Delta is certainly a fine airline, it’s not the goal for “all of us”. People have many reasons why they choose am airline and you shouldn’t assume your reasons are the same as others. Also keep in mind Delta, as a legacy Major, is difficult to get a position with. You don’t mention a 4yr degree? While it’s not required, I don’t know a single pilot there without one.
Finally you don’t mention any flight experience? If you have none I strongly recommend you take an Intro or Discovery flight and see what it’s really like.
Thank you Adam for your quick responses. Almost every thread I have been reading you have very helpful inputs which I appreciate! So I do want to apologize for “assuming” Endeavor and Delta. I had read a few forums where people dream of it, and I guess I am biased on it.
As far as senior base, when I was digging into it (obviously I am new to this so I am sorry for the dumb question), it sounded like MCO would take me 10+ years seniority before I am able to be based out here. I guess I was wrong.
I do have a 4 year bachelors degree in Business Management from WGU.
I don’t have any flight experience yet, as I am still exploring my options before I pull out the loan and begin my journey.
I was exploring a few other options, although very far out, I like to typically know what my career path may look like.
I am very much excited to join ATP and begin my journey, I am just afraid of dragging my wife and soon my baby, through 1-4 years of “pain” for a better life. But I understand it is a very rewarding life afterwards.
Welcome tot he forum, let’s get to your questions:
Yes, Orlando is a base for some airlines, but they are rather small bases and can go rather “senior”. Also, to my knowledge, nobody yet has an international (wide body) base out of MCO yet. Bottom line, you will probably need to relocate for at least a few years.
Commuting is entirely at your expense and on your own time. I commuted for many years, it is very stressful and quite time consuming. Iw Ould strongly recommend against commuting.
No, the regionals will not pay for your move.
The Endeavor program is a great program. Do well in the program, build your flight time, and you should have as good of shat as any at getting into the program.
You need to get to your local airport and flight school to do an introductory flight. While we can all say, “I’m going to become a pilot,” until you have sat in a trainer aircraft with a CFI, had the opportunity to go over the basics, and feel the feeling of flying a plane, you can’t commit to something like this. However, I bet once you do this, you will find the flying bug very addicting… as to many it is.
If you don’t live “in-base,” you will have to commute, as the others mentioned, commuting is on you. It’s just like any other job to a degree, this one you might need: a crash pad, travel the night before, take 2 days of traveling for work and have 1 day home. Talk to any commuting pilot and they will tell you, live in-base, don’t commute for life.
Please let us know if there’s anything else you may ponder, we’re here to help.
Thank you guys so much for the responses. I know I haven’t taken the initial flight yet as I am trying to figure out my expenses before I apply for the initial loan. I’ve been reading about the FAA exams and had a few questions regarding it.
Are there 3 FAA exams or more? And I’ve read that it’s better to do it before starting the program, so I’m just trying to see what to “initially” prepare for. I know I have a lot of questions but before pulling the loan, I’d love to gain as much knowledge as I can. I’d want to realistically start the program October/ November
There are actually 6 required exams (one for each phase of the program. Private, Commercial, Instrument, and 3 Instructor exams). While they’re not all required to be completed before training, doing so will lesson the load during the program.
Thank you so much Adam for the input, these exams, if I were to “begin” the program in October/November, would I have to pay out of pocket for each exam? Or would it be separate fees? (Probably a dumb question) but I have seen many different things online.
Thank you so much for the insight, Brady! This gives me a very good idea of where to start and how to go about things. I really do appreciate all the info you guys have provided!
I started my discovery flight recently and have done a few hours since. Also, started a Cessna Flight Training course to complete the Private portion. I would like to become an airline pilot once I retire from the Navy in 3 maybe 4 years.
My question is, would I be able to find a good paying job flying at an airline with no degree? And is 3 years an attainable goal?
I have the GI Bill that would pay for pilot school after I complete my Private. With that being said, what schools should I be looking for to make me competitive if I don’t go the bachelor’s degree route?
That really depends on what your consider a “good paying job”? Regional Capt can make low 6 figures and LCC pilots can get into the low $200ks. Obviously the Majors are where the big bucks are and all prefer a 4yr degree.
Now when you ask is 3yrs an attainable goal, I’m not really sure what you’re asking? Goal for what? Complete your training? Build your time to get to an airline? Please explain.
Finally if you look up and to the left you’ll clearly see the ATP logo. This is ATPs forum and all the mentors on this forum were former students and are now successful airline pilots. ATP has the most airline partnerships of any school in the country and after almost 40yrs they have had literally tens of thousands of grads hired because of that. Up to you to do your research, but definitely something to be considered.
Very good info. I’ll have a retirement check, so anywhere in the 6 figures is a good paying job for me. And I guess I need to talk to someone at ATP and see how to go about everything since I still have a full time job. My main concern was could I really be a pilot and make a good living without a degree. I’m 37 and have 18 years in the military, so I don’t feel time is on my side.
I’ll fly for anyone that pays me 6 figures, FedEx and UPS included.
Thanks Adam, feel free to spread more knowledge my friend.
For what it’s worth UPS and FedEx are 2 of the highest paying Major airlines in the country and very much sought-after positions who would also strongly prefer you have a degree.
Hey Adam, when you mention degree, is it preferred to have a bachelors degree in Aviation? I have my bachelors in Business Administration Management, however I am curious if let’s say someone with an Aviation degree would get chosen over me.
Not at all. I have a degree in business administration myself. I would say that the vast majority of pilots have degrees in something other than aviation. The airlines just want to see that you have a degree, they are not concerned with what the field of study is.