Introduction

[ChelseaW-CA-609]

Hello,

My name is Chelsea Walker and I am looking to change my career into a new and exciting field. I have been recently laid off, and I am looking for some place that I can call a "home". I am 26 years old and I am looking to start my career, not just have a job. I have always dreamed of becoming a pilot; however, I am aware that it is very expensive to do so. I am worried that the only thing that is stopping me from achieving my goals is money Please forgive me, but I have a million questions that I want to ask I will start with the ones that mean the most to me. They are listed below:

1. Was it easy to find a job after pilot school?
2. How long does it take to complete pilot schooling?
3. How much does it cost to go to pilot school per year?
4. Would you consider being a pilot a rewarding career?
5. Are there scholarships to go to pilot school?
6. Are there loans to go to pilot school?

I am seriously looking into becoming a pilot. Feel free to reply to me via email at ladybugg912@hotmail.com or ladybugg912@yahoo.com Thank you so much for your time.

Chelsea Walker

[Comair Jerry]

Have you always wanted to become a professional pilot?
Let me answer your questions:
Finding a job after pilot training can be challenging, but it can also be a relatively seamless process. When I was hired by Comair in February of 2007, I had just 600 hours of total flight time. That's pretty low. Comair, as well as other airlines were desperate for pilots. The major airlines were hiring, but not like the regional airlines who would basically hire you if you had a commercial license and a heartbeat. Today, all you have to do is turn on CNN and know that there are hardly any jobs out there. This is true of the airlines as well. When news came of an impending furlough at Comair, I actually quit and took a job in Texas working for a transport/trucking company. The money was good, and I figured it would be better than collecting un-employment. Well, things didn't work out at that company and I missed home (Jacksonville, FL). I'm back in Jax now working in a call center. My class at Comair is furloughed (laid off). They laid off around 320 pilots, and that went back to a December 2006 hire date. I still career coach for ATP because I was also a CRJ instructor (the regional jet course you see on the website). I worked in the call center for ATP before I went to Comair also. I wanted to maintain a tie to ATP because they trully are a great company to work for and they DO offer a great product. Where did you use to work before the lay off? I just want you to be certain about what you want to do with the rest of your life. The airline industry is volatile, unpredictable, but a lot of fun. They say that you're not a real airline pilot until you've been furloughed at least once. Pilot pay is terrible starting out. You'll make more at McDonalds (I wish this was a joke). Flight training will cost you around 60,000 dollars with ATP. Prices fluctuate with industry demand. The industry will always need pilots. If you want a successful career in the airlines, it's all about being in the right place at the right time. Right now I can't even find a job as a flight instructor. Pensions are disappearing, pay is being cut, benefits are diminishing and you're expected to pay back a $60k loan. Yes, there are loans available to you, but you'll likely need a co-signer to be approved for the full amount. Scholarships? None that I know of, although sometimes the Women in Aviation organization offers flight training subsidies to eligible pilot applicants. Would I consider being a pilot a rewarding career? Absolutely!!! I love it. Always have and I always will. Is it right for me right now? Probably not. It's murder on relationships and very hard on the wallet. But man is it fun. The industry will turn, and hiring will pick back up. I personally don't see the industry turning for a couple of years.
You can finish training in about 5 months if you're committed.
Sorry if this seemed scatter brained, but I felt compelled to pay special attention to your post and tell you exactly where I'm at in my pilot career. We can certainly talk about this some more, so feel free to ask any questions you might still have. Hope this helps a little...