Q: I’ve always had the dream of being a professional airline pilot. I graduated in 2011 with a bachelor of arts degree in mass communications. I since enlisted in the Army and I am serving at Fort Hood, Texas. When I joined, I elected to receive the GI Bill so I could afford to pay for flight training when I get out. However, by the sound of it, the GI Bill will only pay for certain ratings, such as an instrument and commercial. That would leave me on my own to earn a multiengine rating and instructor certificate, as well as an ATP certificate to fly one day with the majors. Also, I’d probably still need to build a couple thousand more hours or so before moving up to the majors as a first officer. I think I’d be pretty limited without a multiengine rating.
To use the GI Bill, I might have to get a second degree because the government requires you to be enrolled in a degree program to get paid for training. Realistically, from where I stand, could I still get a career slot with a major airline within a reasonable amount of time?
A: I recommend that you research the Flight Training magazine archives. Search for “Career Advisor” in each of the issues. In a nutshell, getting into the airline game today with just a dream and little in the way of ratings and experience is a $40,000 to $100,000 gamble, depending on where the training and time-building take place. There is no sure thing.
It appears that the times are quite good to consider launching a professional flying career because of a growing need for pilots. A blue-chip group of industry representatives has requested that the Government Accountability Office be directed to study what is expected to be a “serious” pilot shortage. In its petition to the House aviation subcommittee, the group said, “It is hoped such a study will shed light on this potentially devastating issue that can be considered by congressional leaders to better understand the extent of the problem as well as the potential ramifications to the industry, service to cities, and jobs.” (See www.gibillva.gov.) But, as one wag commented, “Pilot shortage? No, not really. But, there is a shortage of pilots who will work for a starting salary of $22,000 annually after investing $75,000.” Time will tell.
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