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Is it more difficult to become an airline pilot or a fighter pilot?
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:26 pm
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:26 pm
Currently going to a university and looking at a career in aviation. I’ve always been fascinated with Air Force fighter pilots and have always wanted to be in the cockpit of an F-22. Airline pilots are equally impressive though as flying and landing a jumbo jet is no easy task.
I’ve always heard that becoming an airline pilot for one of the big four airlines (Delta, Southwest, United, American) is super difficult and arguably harder than becoming a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Is this true? Just wanted some opinions.
I’ve always heard that becoming an airline pilot for one of the big four airlines (Delta, Southwest, United, American) is super difficult and arguably harder than becoming a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Is this true? Just wanted some opinions.
42
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:26 pm to RockinRobin1955
A lot of military pilots eventually become airline pilots.
That's all I got.
That's all I got.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:27 pm to RockinRobin1955
there's a few posters here who are pilots, but i can't wait for the rest of the uneducated "baw" responses 
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:27 pm to RockinRobin1955
I would imagine the F-22 program is very competitive.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:27 pm to RockinRobin1955
How's your volleyball game?
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:29 pm to RockinRobin1955
quote:
Is this true
I have a feeling you’re not smart enough to be a fighter pilot.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:31 pm to RockinRobin1955
Why don’t you go in the military, learn how to fly, then transition to flying commercial airlines?
A lot of commercial airline pilots are ex-military.
A lot of commercial airline pilots are ex-military.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:33 pm to riverdiver
quote:
Why don’t you go in the military, learn how to fly, then transition to flying commercial airlines?
Highly competitive. Could be a DISASTER if it doesn’t work out.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:34 pm to RockinRobin1955
quote:
have always wanted to be in the cockpit of an F-22
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:38 pm to nobigdeal69
Yep, a lot get diverted to being drone “pilots”
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:38 pm to RockinRobin1955
There is a huge shortage for airline pilots and the new contracts are amazing. The difficulty with becoming an airline pilot is the cost but the overall training can be done in as little as 9 months. Then you have the whole “1500 flight hours” hurdle which can be as simple as becoming a CFI, making peanuts for a few years while you earn hours and work your way up to the regionals. If you are in college and wanting to do a career in aviation then maybe look at one of the colleges that offer a pro pilot program like Middle Tennessee State or LA Tech. If they are approved for ATPR then you can get to the airlines with 1000 hours. I’m not sure how other colleges do it but MTSU will hire you as a flight instructor while you are still in school.
Cheapest route will be going military (even if you get an MOS that isn’t involving aviation, I was infantry) and then using your GI bill for a pro pilot degree.
Cheapest route will be going military (even if you get an MOS that isn’t involving aviation, I was infantry) and then using your GI bill for a pro pilot degree.
This post was edited on 12/5/24 at 12:41 pm
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:38 pm to riverdiver
quote:
hy don’t you go in the military, learn how to fly, then transition to flying commercial airlines?
A lot of commercial airline pilots are ex-military
this, but I would try to get in a guard unit that has fighters before going active duty
This post was edited on 12/5/24 at 12:43 pm
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:41 pm to nobigdeal69
quote:
Highly competitive. Could be a DISASTER if it doesn’t work out.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:42 pm to RockinRobin1955
quote:Is this really true though?
Airline pilots are equally impressive though as flying and landing a jumbo jet is no easy task.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:43 pm to RockinRobin1955
Buddy of mine is late 30s, Naval Academy grad, and is going through a life crisis after being told he can no longer fly due to medical issues a while back. Spent his entire life working toward flying, then stripped after only a couple of years flying.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:44 pm to RockinRobin1955
quote:
Currently going to a university and looking at a career in aviation. I’ve always been fascinated with Air Force fighter pilots and have always wanted to be in the cockpit of an F-22. Airline pilots are equally impressive though as flying and landing a jumbo jet is no easy task.
I’ve always heard that becoming an airline pilot for one of the big four airlines (Delta, Southwest, United, American) is super difficult and arguably harder than becoming a fighter pilot in the Air Force. Is this true? Just wanted some opinions.
A couple things to consider is that airline pilots don't work normal work hours. Military is not a 9-5 either but there's not a lot of military pilots that will complain about their schedule outside of deployment.
My friend is currenlty working his way up and flying a cargo plan on a 14 day on and 14 day off schedule. Most airline pilots fly something like 4-10 days off and 4-10 days on, where you are going to be gone away from home for 4-10 days at a time.
You also need to consider that while people are pushing guys to go airlines immediately when they are young, being a glorified bus driver for 30 years may not be for everyone. Military pilots including my dad like to complain about the government but there's not a lot of options to fly a jet these days.
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:52 pm to baldona
lots of wrong in your post
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:53 pm to RockinRobin1955
quote:
Airline pilots are equally impressive though
Not hardly
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:55 pm to nobigdeal69
quote:
Highly competitive. Could be a DISASTER if it doesn’t work out.
You could end up flying a cargo plane full of rubber dogshit
Posted on 12/5/24 at 12:56 pm to 777Tiger
quote:
lots of wrong in your post
My dad's a pilot and one of my best friends so...
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