What is the likelihood of becoming a commercial airline pilot?

sulfonic1 asked:


I am thinking of attending Embry Riddle Aeronatical University in Daytona Beach Florida to learn how to become a commercial airline pilot. I was just wondering if anyone knows the job demand for commercial airline pilots, or how hard it is to get in to a commercial airline. It is a pricey school and I would like to know I can get a job other than Burger King after I graduate. Thanks alot.

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2 Responses to “What is the likelihood of becoming a commercial airline pilot?”

1. exposcohen Says:
   November 27th, 2008 at 9:09 am

   I applied to ERAU and almost went there, its a nice campus and Daytona Beach is great. As for ERAU, yes it is pretty pricey (a good $20-30k a year) plus flying it self is up there.

   The commercial airline industry is one that is so choppy and inconsistent, that one year, you could be layed off, the next year you could be making $150k.

   You have to remember, flying is a hobby and a lot of people love to do it. (like me) Being able to get paid for what you love to do is amazing! All you gotta remember is too work hard and practice.

   Now, if price is an issue with you, there are a bunch of aviation schools out there that are a fraction of the cost of ERAU (The Weather sucks though :p)

   University of North Dakota is ranked as one of the best
   Purdue University has one of the most notable flight schools (If you have good grades, I would recommend Purdue)
   Southern Illinois University also has a pretty big aviation school.

   One thing you have to remember is that to become a pilot, all you really need is a pilots licenses with XXXX amount of hours flown, plus a 4 year college degree (Could be in anything like Music, Science, Engineering) Aviation schools just help you log in a lot more flying hours as well as help you get a job a lot easier.

   Hope this helps. If you call up ERAU or North Dakota, they would love to send you a package (I even got a free shirt) with info about the school and Aviation related majors.

   Hopes this helps!

2. potatochip Says:
   November 29th, 2008 at 7:27 pm

   Right now the airline industry either losing money or making very little. They have cut many flights as well and have many pilots on furlough. Right now it would be difficult to find a job as a pilot for US airlines. International airlines may be hiring so you may want to apply there. The thing with applying for a pilot position is that so many other people have submitted a resume as well. If you know someone at an airline who can drop off your resume, it will go through the proper channels faster. That is how it worked with my friend when he applied to be a pilot at UPS.

   Good luck and hope you find something.

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