Hi, my name is Zachary Kosto and I am 20 years old looking into becoming a pilot but I had a couple questions that I don’t the answer to. 1st, after I complete everything and I get a job from a regional airline, do they pick where I work or do I have the option to work near the closest base to my house? 2nd, would they pay for my commute if I am located in New Jersey and have to go to Alabama to fly from a base for example?
Zachary,
First off you obviously need to choose a Regional that has a base near you to have the chance to be based close to home. This may seem obvious but many people assume because they see a certain airline fly into their home airport, the airline has a base there.
As for your first question when you’re first hired you’ll be based where the airline needs you. If you live near a junior base then you’ve got a good shot of getting that base right off the bat. If you don’t you’ll need to commute until you gain some seniority and can bid and be awarded that base. This can take months or even years. If you’re in NJ that’s actually a good thing because most NY/NJ bases are usually pretty junior.
Getting to work is YOUR responsibility (just like any other job) and no your airline will not pay for your commute. However as pilots we have the ability to Jumpseat on virtually any airline in the country for free, provided there’s room on the flight. This may (and often does) mean getting to your base the day before and not getting home till the day after.
Adam
Zach,
Typically the first week of indoc you bid for your base. There’s two variables in play: company need and your seniority. The company determines which bases are available and then pilots get awarded the bases of their choosing in seniority order. If you live near a junior base, you might have no problem getting it right away. If you live near a senior base, you might get a junior base for a while until you have the seniority to hold that base. Like Adam said, most NY bases go junior so thats in your favor.
The beauty of the airlines is that you’re allowed to live wherever you want, however, it’s your responsibility to get to work on time and rested. The company will not be paying for you to not live in base. You can jumpsuit and non-rev to get to work so it’s not coming out of your pocket, but it can be stressful because you’re not guaranteed a seat. If the weather looks terrible or flights are full, you can buy a ticket to keep the stress down. Commuting isn’t for everyone. I don’t recommend it if you can avoid it.
Hannah
Zach,
During your time building towards your 1,500 hours you will have plenty of time to choose a regional or air carrier of your choice and interview for. Once you are offered a CJO or have a few, you can use the process of elimination based on pros/cons to figure where you would like to work. It will ultimately come down to your decision where you want to go, a lot of individuals will pick their air carrier by base, some choose aircraft. Do realize if you choose base on aircraft that you may end up commuting and sometimes that can be a bear.
In your first week you will get to bid for your base, sometimes you get what you want right aways, other times you have to let seniority take it course - which could mean a month to year(s) for you to be based there. ATP has a solid explanation for seniority on their website (linked below):
Being based in NJ you have a LOT of regional and major carriers around you, I can think of many: Piedmont, Republic, PSA, Frontier, American, United, etc. You are in a prime location to have options, you just need to apply, interview and receive CJOs for those companies based in that local area.
Do you have an idea where you would be training if attending ATP, if you’re in NJ, you have MMU, TTN and now CDW/PNE in your general area.
Brady
Hi, I am located in Rhode Island close to T.F Green Airport where Breeze base is located but I’m not far off New York and New Jersey. I am looking to train in Norwood MA, after I get my private license. Another question that came to my mind is that I am currently in my first year of university not studying aviation but that shouldn’t matter right? Most airlines dropped the degree requirement right?
Zachary,
There’s a common misconception that came when Delta dropped their degree requirement that degrees were no longer required. Truth is Delta was pretty much the only airline with an actual 4yr degree requirement.
What hasn’t changed is the fact that the Legacy Majors in the US still list a 4yr degree as a “preferred” or “competitive” minimum and as long as the majority of applicants still have them they will always get hired before someone without a degree. With that in mind you really should finish your education if you want to be competitive and fly for a Legacy.
Adam
Thank you for the information. I have another question, even though I’m pursuing a college degree I am looking to start APT after I get my ppl, how easy is it to find a job when your at that 1,500 hour mark? Does the process take long? Do the regionals care that I don’t have a 4 year degree yet? Also, do they offer tuition reimbursement?
Zachary,
Right now, if you have a good training record and a good personal record, it is relatively easy to find an airline job at 1,500 hours. Of course subject to change, but there are no signs of it slowing down anytime soon.
The regionals do not care one bit if you have a degree or not, most of the majors still do.
Some of the regionals still offer tuition reimbursement. but most have switched to paying out large bonuses instead. You can check out the various offerings here: Compare Airline Sponsored Assistance for Pilots / ATP Flight School
Chris
Zachary,
Chris answered your questions well I just want to touch on the above. I hope you’re not planning on starting ATP while you’re still in college because that wouldn’t be possible. ATP requires a full-time commitment. By accelerating the program to 7mos it eliminates the ability to do pretty much anything else.
Again while we recommend you complete your education first if you don’t you’d need to do it while at the Regionals.
Adam
Hi, thank you all for your responses you guys are really helpful. The only things stopping me from going into APT is the money. It costs a lot and what if I don’t land a job?
Zachary,
The cost of flight training is a major barrier for most. The truth of the matter is, you have to take a risk. You need to believe in yourself and be prepared to do whatever it takes to be successful knowing that you have a huge financial commitment on the line. Some people never take the risk and live with that regret.
If you work hard, have successful training and stay out of trouble there will be jobs. There literally hasn’t been a better time to be a pilot with the financial incentives as well as the massive supply of jobs. However, it’s not a cake walk. It takes your full commitment. Plan on finishing your degree and keep thinking about it. It’s a big decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Hannah
Zachary,
I don’t care where you decide to train, flight training will never be cheap. It costs money to pay instructors, maintain airplanes, gas, insurance, etc etc etc. Are there less expensive schools? Absolutely, but here’s the thing (at least in my mind and what lead me to ATP).
Again flight training will never be inexpensive and no matter where you train you’ll be spending tens of thousands of dollars. You’ve got ATP who have been training pilots for over 35yrs AND have had over 1,100 pilots hired by airlines in the last 12mos alone. That’s more than all the mom and pop schools out there combined. So the question becomes how much do you really want to be an airline pilot? If flying is truly your goal, wouldn’t you be better off going through a program with proven results vs saving some money and risking your career? Pilots can earn over $450k+ a year. That makes the $20-30k you might(?) save elsewhere meaningless. Factor in the fact ATP has agreements with virtually every airline in the country and in fact established these relationships long before the pilot shortage. No one knows how long the shortage will continue but the fact is Chris and I were both given preferential interviews years before there was a shortage when no one else was. The only reason was because we were ATP grads. The shortage slows I’d want that kind of clout.
In the end you’re right, there are no guarantees you’ll land a job BUT again if this is your goal, wouldn’t you want to give yourself the best odds you can? I did and that’s why I went to ATP.
Adam
Thank you guys for that I never want to live with a regrets so I am thinking about this thoroughly. Some more questions I have is when do I start interviewing with airlines, Before I complete the 1,500 hours? How long does it take to land a job based on your guys experiences?
Zachary,
Some airlines will interview you as soon as you get your PPL. Thing is you’re still a couple of years away from actually working for them and Id be very reluctant to lock myself in. The Regional on top today and offering the best deal might not be then.
As for how long it takes, again as the others have said, provided you do well in training and have no blemishes, in today’s market you’ll be hired immediately. Again that’s today.
Zachary I do understand your concerns and I know you want some assurances but unfortunately that’s not life. The reality is you might not be a good pilot. If you are if Covid-25 hits the industry could come to a grinding halt. All you can do is the best you can to put yourself in the best position you can. Good pilots will always get hired but it might not be as quickly as it is today. Only you can decide if it’s worth taking the chance.
Adam
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Hannah,
Seeing as how you just left Skywest, I bet you know the answer. Is SLC a senior or Junior base? I’m still a long way away, but I saw this thread and was curious.
One other question that you might know the answer to. I’m currently employed with Skywest. I’m on leave while I attend ATP. Will my current seniority help me get the base that I bid when the time comes? Any information is greatly appreciated!
Ben
Ben,
Hannah is the SkyWest expert so she can help you with which base is senior.
What I can tell you is what’s senior today, might not be a year or two from now so I wouldn’t put too much thought into that.
As for your current seniority helping you with your base I can tell you it definitely will not. The negative effects of a newly trainined pilot stepping into a senior base ahead of others who hasn’t been waiting simply because he was previously employed would cause a revolt. I know SKW isn’t union, but if they were a move like that would cause a major grevience. Other than pass travel I wouldn’t count on your seniority doing much within the pilot group.
Adam
Adam,
Thanks for the response. That makes sense. I know if I had been trying to get a base and lost out to some guy who left to learn how to do what I already had been doing for a while, I would be pissed!
I did read that my current seniority would help when it comes to fleet type bidding (I hope that’s true). I will take what I can get. Beggars should not be choosers, but I’m hoping for the E175. That is purely coming from a mechanic perspective. I know I’m getting way ahead of myself, I’m just saying.
Back to studying I go. Thanks again.
Ben