Question about airline hiring
Posted by chris_warrior1@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 24 comments
Would my history of airport jobs give me leverage/make me more competitive in the hiring process than those who had zero airport operations job, but more turbine hours than the minimum requirements than me? I’ve worked as an aircraft fueler and a fuel farm operator (we’re considered the best fuel facility in the U.S.)
Just trying to see how competitive things are since I plan on starting flight training sometime next year. Always loved aviation and wanted to be a pilot as a kid, and I finally think it’s time. I’m 24, making $32/hr. Had to choose between continuing college or starting flight school. I’m 100% financing flight school through my full time job while also getting a loan. I heard there will be a mass retirement of pilots starting in 2026, which is why I especially want to start asap.
Negative_Swan_9459@reddit
If taking your first lesson today I would expect an end game job in 8-10 years given you have a degree.
chris_warrior1@reddit (OP)
By end game do you mean wide body captain?
Negative_Swan_9459@reddit
Elohel
sharkbite217@reddit
Turbine PIC > turbine time > college degree > > > > > > > > > > fueler
And if you start flight training next year you’re definitely not going to be in an airline uniform by 2026 or likely 2027, especially considering you’re working full time while doing it.
Who told you mass retirements starting in 2026? There are a lot of retirements, but if anything they’re leveling off.
clearingmyprop@reddit
*turbine multi
1000 hours turbine single in a PC-12 and nobody gives a flying fuck
chris_warrior1@reddit (OP)
As per my other replies, I agree I was being optimistic about 2026/2027. 2028/2029 seems more realistic.
As for the retirements, I read it from here ‘Tsunami of pilot retirements’ coming to US aviation industry, experts warn | US news | The Guardian
Boeinggoing737@reddit
Obviously you are willing to work which is great. Airport jobs cut both ways. Yes you have networking abilities, airlines see you can pass the background check, and can handle responsibility around expensive pieces of equipment but the real bummer is that some airlines own those companies and have access to records. Let’s be honest the weather sucks, illnesses happen, and family stuff sometimes calls you away and those absences, firings, or leaving on poor terms with a dickhead manager could sink whatever hope you had of being hired by that specific airline. I have seen it blackball people at fedex, delta, and twa. I would absolutely keep the job, go fly and see if it is all you imagined, and get a degree from a Thomas Edison or similar that is online and gives credit for pilots licenses.
The pilot hiring market can’t be predicted. I would be willing to bet that one or two names of big airlines won’t be around by 2027, monkeypox 8.0, or the industry could fall squarely on its ass… or it could be printing money and legacy airlines are hiring 24 yr olds telling war stories about 6 months at a regional. If it is what you want then get determined to make it happen without regard for the optimal situation. There are a lot of opportunities that open up in ancillary jobs to aviation if the pilot thing doesn’t work out. I am not saying selling airplane insurance is great but there are fallbacks if the pilot market sucks.
Typical-Apartment-61@reddit
If you can change jobs at the airport to work for an airline, it may help you get noticed by recruiters when you apply to that specific airline or when you meet their recruiters at job fairs. But it will by no means guarantee you a pilot job or even an interview. So leverage your airport experience to go get a job with an airline that you can see yourself working for as a pilot one day. It won't hurt, but don't expect airlines to roll out the red carpet once you hit submit on that pilot application. And in the meantime you can enjoy the flight benefits and schedule flexibility.
InGeorgeWeTrust_@reddit
Total time and experience flying is all that matters for hiring.
They do not care where you worked before. Although, as a former ramper, having knowledge of the operation will make you a better airline pilot.
chris_warrior1@reddit (OP)
I figured total flight time and flying experience counted more. This thought I had was a long-shot to begin with, but I just wanted confirmation from the big dogs first before I got my hopes up.
Yeah, having worked around the airport for years, I definitely appreciate the innerworkings of an operation to get an aircraft safely off the gate.
2026-2027 was definitely an optimistic approach lol. I believe 2028-2029 is being realistic. As for the retirements, I read it here: ‘Tsunami of pilot retirements’ coming to US aviation industry, experts warn | US news | The Guardian
rustyshackleford677@reddit
This is an older article, and alot of airlines have already hired pilots to replace them before they retire. They'll still be retirements, but the large wave has already crested. Doesn't mean you can't have a great career though, but you probably won't end up at a legacy within 5 years
sharkbite217@reddit
How will being a ramper make someone a better pilot?
dmspilot00@reddit
Half the random crazy crap you have to deal with happens on the ground.
Thick_Comedian_6707@reddit
It will make you a better person….
InGeorgeWeTrust_@reddit
Understand the operation, how out stations work, delays, maintenance, baggage handling and deicing has helped me be a better pilot.
Airline pilot job encompasses more than just flying the plane.
You can pick it all up on the line but having that nearly 3 years on the ramp helped.
laughie1@reddit
your timeline seems a bit too optimistic.
If you started Jan 1st 2025, how fast do you think you could get to CFI?. How fast can you realistically get to 1500 hours, if they are even hiring that low.
I think a more realistic timeline would be 2028.
chris_warrior1@reddit (OP)
I was definitely being too optimistic. Honestly, I made this post in a rush before I forgot this thought (so many thoughts go through my mind per day). I agree 2028 is more realistic.
Right-Suggestion-667@reddit
Weren’t you the guy that had issues with UAA and the Lyft academy for financings?
chris_warrior1@reddit (OP)
Yo that's pretty insane how you know that info lol. But I didn't have issues with financing, just had an issue getting a class date for UAA, so I ended up getting conditionally approved with LIFT. Had to postpone it due to an appendectomy. Life happened, began grinding hard at work, saved a ton (still not enough to go all the way to CPL, which is why I want to take out a loan to not stop flight training).
Thick_Comedian_6707@reddit
I’m ready for there to be a subreddit dedicated to airline hiring questions.
acrogirl84@reddit
Hi, I don’t think your experience in airport operations will give you much leverage when it comes to wanting to be an airline pilot. Airlines care about flight time and definitely have a preference for candidates with a college degree (doesn’t matter what it’s in). I worked at FBOs, management/coordination for regional airlines, and as a dispatcher for a flight school all throughout undergrad. However, I don’t think this work experience will matter that much when I apply at airlines- although, it may show a commitment to the aviation industry overall. Focus on your education, VOLUNTEER!!! experience (major airlines want to see well-rounded candidates), flight time and experience and you will do just fine. However, I do think that you thinking you’ll be an airline pilot at the end of 2026 is quite ambitious and honestly unrealistic. Unless you go to a pilot mill like ATP, it will take you at minimum 1-2 years to get your CFI and then an additional 1-2 years of instructing to get airline transport minimums. Especially if you aren’t going restricted. Best of luck to you!
redditor0927@reddit
No
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rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Would my history of airport jobs give me leverage/make me more competitive in the hiring process than those who had zero airport operations job, but more turbine hours than the minimum requirements than me? I’ve worked as an aircraft fueler and a fuel farm operator (we’re considered the best fuel facility in the U.S.)
Just trying to see how competitive things are since I plan on starting flight training sometime next year. Always loved aviation and wanted to be a pilot as a kid, and I finally think it’s time. I’m 24, making $32/hr. Had to choose between continuing college or starting flight school. I’m 100% financing flight school through my full time job while also getting a loan. I heard there will be a mass retirement of pilots starting in 2026, which is why I especially want to start asap.
Please downvote this comment until it collapses.
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