After 19 years of flying, I finally landed my dream job. Thanks for all the advice! Don't ever give up and don't ever sell yourself short.
Posted by balsadust@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 201 comments
augur9@reddit
massive congrats!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Congrats... I'm curious about the journey though
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Flight instructor, regionals, part 135
Extension_Device_926@reddit
Allah akbar! Hope you have a clean background!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
lol, yes
DIRTY_RAGS_@reddit
I’m just starting to go for my PLL now. What does regionals and part 135 mean?
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Skywest is a large regional. Netjets is a 135.
bustin_all_kinds@reddit
Netjets is not a 135?
Several-Village5814@reddit
NetJets is both 135 and 91k depending on the flight
bustin_all_kinds@reddit
Huh, TIL
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
Apologies. They are a 135 but a poor example
bustin_all_kinds@reddit
I believe they operate under 91K
Mundane-Reality-7770@reddit
https://www.netjets.com/en-us/advanced-qualification-program-pilot-training
Mintydreshness@reddit
Don’t they do both?
Jazzlike_Permit_8442@reddit
Isn’t Netjets supposed to be a fractional ownership by part 91?
iamheller@reddit
It’s both part 135 and 91K depending on the flight.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
FlexJet does 135. NJ is only 91K. You can buy a jet card with NJ and not have to buy a share of a plane
balsadust@reddit (OP)
NetJets is 91K fractional. You have to buy a share of a plane to join. You also have monthly maintenance costs regardless of you fly or not. This pays for maintenance and pilot salaries and overhead of NJ. Then you pay per hour. Your share of your plane entitles you to so many hours a year.
135 charters are much smaller mom and pop shops that use brokers to sell their services. But anyone can call to book a flight. You pay for your flight and that's it.
nineyourefine@reddit
Netjets is not a 135. It technically has a 135 certificate and can operate 135 flights but nobody who says "I want to work at a 135" thinks of Netjets. They are a 91k operator. It's like saying the airlines are 91 operators. Sure, the airlines operate 91 flights under their certificate, but nobody says "I want to fly part 91" and thinks of the airlines.
Talon Air, Clay Lacy, Solarius, Hop a Jet, or any small operator that fly's charter is what people normally mean by "Working at a 135".
IllRecommendation539@reddit
Good luck, the Professional Lacrosse League doesn’t pay that well and it’s a tough sport to get into
Nathan_Wildthorn@reddit
👏 Congratulations, man! 👏 😃
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Nathan_Wildthorn@reddit
🫡👍
Wrong_Jury_9203@reddit
I am a retired Delta Captain , my journey started with college, Navy pilot, corporate part 91 flying for five years , finally Northwest airlines 26 years 747 First officer then Capt. Merged with Delta flew Captain for 8 more years retired at 65. My youngest son now 30YO. College accounting decided to fly goals airline far part 121. 4 years ago started ATP flt school June 2022. Finished March 2023. Hired back as Flt instructor until Nov2023 got a job part 91 flying corp jet as FO. Got typed and train company expense at CAE. 88k/yr on call 24/7 no benefits hired at 750hrs with 220 hr MEL. Just got hired at NetJets with ATP written done Feb 2026. Regionals 121 slow hiring last couple of years. He got no calls. NetJets very proud of their pilots and hard to get hired interview 12 k pilots a year but only hire 2%. Maybe 300 a year. Pay and benefits better then Regionals their union follows ALPA contracts senior pay within 5% of majors meaning their top global pilots make over 500k a year. Numerous schedules 7 on 7 off medical dental loss license with no deductible . The vest benefit is no commute at ur expense, live where u want and NetJets pays for ur transportation to and from work(where ur jet is), pay is not based on aircraft type but yearly contract raises 5 to 6% on longevity First year pay starts base 120k and after flying over 10hrs pay 200/ hr Vac pay, sick pay per diem . They don't want to lose pilot to airlines. Like they did before 2017 union contracts! My son class was 15 total avg hrs 2500. Mainly part 91. Fraction jet owners and 135. If they got the feeling u mite want airlines down the road forget getting hired. They train to 121 standards and are FOAQ monitor in fly deck like airlines. Major airlines knows about NetJets hiring criteria and training standards and openly hires their pilots. His class got the new EMB phater 550. Fly by wire stick control med jet! First year pilots w-2 according to some of his friends got hired year earlier was 175k working 1/2 a year! This was route He and I took. ATP cost 100k plus 25 k to cover living expenses. He got SOFI loan thru ATP first rate 8% year four got it lower to 4.5%. It was the fastest way to get all ratings more pressure the military which takes 2 years! For all same ratings Commercial Mel and Sel and instrument and CFII!
Lopsided-Mess8554@reddit
I was on the Cathay Pacific flight that nearly had a collision with NW off of Japan back in 1994. Were you the pilot?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Did you ever fly with Jerry Pichert on the 747? Is is a family friend.
GeorgiaPilot172@reddit
Congrats, thanks for the seniority. Pick the 7ER, best fleet in the Air Line.
jdubz9999@reddit
How long to hold that out of LAX?
GeorgiaPilot172@reddit
New hires get it regularly
jdubz9999@reddit
Fingers crossed. Should be getting the pick email in two weeks.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
757 is my favorite plane of all time. I live in MSP though. I'm really hoping to get MSP A220 because my good childhood friend just took upgrade on it. Would be fun to fly with him
VillageIdiotsAgent@reddit
Absolutely bid 220 then. That will be your fastest route to Minneapolis. Besides, it’s an awesome airplane.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
NatFuts@reddit
Definitely bid A220 any base, plenty of recent hires were given msp220b who are trying to swap out because they live elsewhere. You'd likely be able to swap in to msp before you're complete with sims. Also, congrats and welcome to Delta
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Oh awesome! Thanks for that.!! Hope it works out
GeorgiaPilot172@reddit
Yeah if you live in MSP the 220 will be your best bet. Seniority progression on it is pretty decent too. Easy plane from what my buddies on it say. Best of luck!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Cool! Thanks
Luigi-is-my-boi@reddit
professional airplane model builder?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Happy cake day
balsadust@reddit (OP)
😂 No, that would ruin it for me! I built a plane for a guy who paid me once and I hated it. It's my happy hobby. Not a business.
Lukecv1@reddit
Currently pursuing my dream job in Ag flying. Hoping it pans out.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Good luck! I always wanted to do that. I worked with a guy who would take the summers off to spray. He would make more money in three months doing that than the 9 months as a 135 captain
Lukecv1@reddit
Thank you. I'm nervous about the transition from survey flying to Ag, but I have always wanted to do it, so this is my leap of faith.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Heck yeah! Where are you flying?
Lukecv1@reddit
Ohio. Nothing is set in stone yet but I'm really hopeful.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Good luck!!
Lukecv1@reddit
Update: got the job
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Congratulations!!!
Bunslow@reddit
wait wut. that's a crazy fact to me
balsadust@reddit (OP)
To be fair, this was back in like 2016-2017 when our company only paid captains like 80k a year. Now we are making 200k a year so not sure how that compares
VillageIdiotsAgent@reddit
Welcome! PM me if you have any questions.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Were you at Mesaba too? I was LGA based Saab 340 in 2011 before it went away. Then I was 9E CRJ JFK
VillageIdiotsAgent@reddit
I was JFK in ‘14-‘15… were you there then?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
No, 2012. They declared bankruptcy so I bailed for YX
VillageIdiotsAgent@reddit
No, I was colgan
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Ahh gotcha.
shadeyyyy_@reddit
Congratulations!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!
shadeyyyy_@reddit
No problem, Sir!
Wrong_Jury_9203@reddit
No Net Jets is 135 and flys charters in addition to fractional owners!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
They are primarily a 91K operator who also does some 135
Wrong_Jury_9203@reddit
Approx 1/3 fleet of 900 aircraft is 135 op. That why pilots can work to age 75 in contract!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
They told me at the interview you could go to 70
Wrong_Jury_9203@reddit
Per new contract age 75
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Interesting. Oh well I think Delta is probably the better option. I think I'd rather be done at 65. The guy at the NJ interview said I'd make the same amount and mainline. And now I realize he may be right, but you have to work an extra 10 more years to do it
Unhappy_Sprinkles121@reddit
Welcome to Delta!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
idkausernamerntbh@reddit
I have my instrument check ride in the next few days, this is very inspirational!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! And good luck.
setecastronomy01@reddit
Welcome to the team. What fleet are you going to bid for?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!
camelseries8@reddit
Congratulations! As I get ready to start at a regional in a few weeks, this is reassuring.
Best of luck!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Start applying now. Keep your app current every 60 days. You can't get hired if you don't apply. There were a few regional SICs there with no PIC time. They got hired
NBE01@reddit
Wow this is great to hear! Delta has been my dream as well, I have an end of the month class date with a Regional and this is new info! Congrats man, you did it!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Start applying now. Update your app every 60 days. You can't get hired if you don't apply
SubarcticFarmer@reddit
It used to be 30 days, but that was under airline apps. Just bringing that up because I don't know if it changed or not as my info is stale.
Congratulations though!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Yeah it changed when they left airline apps. I hate that website.
Lanky_Tumbleweed4159@reddit
Congratulations! Out of curiosity, would you happen to know the experience of some of them with no PIC, (only regional SIC)?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
They were just awarded upgrade. Don't know how many hours they had though. So I would say they have been at the regionals for a few years
Cascadeflyer61@reddit
Congratulations!!🍾
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Ok-Run8539@reddit
Congr🔺️ts! 🤙🏽
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Vincent-the-great@reddit
Get this man a ride pirep asap 🤣🤣
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Light chop
Pilotfrog@reddit
One of us, one of us, one of us!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Gooble gobble
Bowzy228@reddit
Awesome, congrats. Do you mind dropping your stats? Degree? Volunteer time?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Part 135 Captain/check airman last 19 years. 6900TT, 2800 Turbine PIC, 5500 multi, 2000 hours part 121 regional time as an SIC. Bachelors in Economics, Associates in Aviation, Angel Flight Mission Pilot for a summer.
8 internal letters of recommendations.
Several-Village5814@reddit
Diverse background for sure, congrats,
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Lotta years to get there
zerotosixty3_5@reddit
Congrats! I’m praying to land a Delta gig after my Navy service.
ljthefa@reddit
Get out of the navy asap unless you need the time for something. Every MIL guy I fly with wishes they had left sooner
zerotosixty3_5@reddit
Im locked in for awhile, can say I’m very optimistic for the future! Did you ever ask why they say that?
ljthefa@reddit
Most of them seemed to believe they couldn't do both or that staying until retirement was worth it but then got to my legacy and realized that wasn't the case. Unfortunately because I wasn't military were playing telephone about their exact reasons so I have some trepidation to speak for them.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
We had 6 mil guys in our interview, they all got CJOs. Just keep track of all your paperwork and records. Old student of mine was a Marine Helo pilot. I flew with him for his fixed wing transition. He got sent home for not having all his military documents. I used Emerald Coast interview prep. I liked it. Very helpful
mav3r1ck92691@reddit
Congrats man! I'm sitting here looking at getting started as a career 2.0 guy... Maybe I'll be ready to slide into your spot when you retire!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Go for it! It's awesome. It's been a wonderful journey
AccountantNo9690@reddit
Congrats
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Miyazuma@reddit
im on highschool freshman year and I really wanna become a pilot, could I pls have some advice?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
You have tons of time.
It's not cheap. Cost me about 80K back in 2007. I was fortunate my parents helped me. You can start training at anytime but you can't solo until you are 16 and you can't get your certificate until you are 17. You can get your commercial certificate at 18 and your ATP at 23.
To be efficient I would probably not start flying until 16-16.5. All flight hours a good but the closer your flights are together, the less likely you will have to repeat lessons to stay current for your instructor. This is important leading up to your solo and checkride. If you start now, you will likely pay more than if you wait.
Join a flying club. It's cheaper than a flight school.
You do not need an aviation degree to be an airline pilot. Personally I think it's a waste of money. The big pilot schools are expensive and where you get your ratings does not matter. It's all the same certificate in the end.
I went to 4 year college and did the flying on the side as a flight instructor to build hours. When I graduated I had about 1200 hours and at that time was able to get an airline job with a regional carrier. Back then you only needed a commercial pilot certificate. Now they require 1500 hours and an ATP. The one plus side to the big aviation college, is you can go to the airlines with less than 1500 hours for the restricted ATP.
You can take out loans for it. Like I said I was very fortunate my parents paid for mine. I know some people at the majors now who are still paying back those loans. Riddle, North Dakota can be up to like 200k.
When I was your age I started building and flying model airplanes out of balsa wood. This was a great learning tool about aerodynamics and how airplanes work. I joined an AMA club and guess what, there were Delta pilots who were also members. So I got to hear all sorts of stories.
Get a job at an FBO pumping gas, seeping the hangar, answering the phones. Maybe they will give you an employee discount on plane rentals. You will be in and around pilots and planes all day.
Reach out if you have more questions
timesuck47@reddit
I gave my kid basically the same advice as you, especially the second to last paragraph.
As a teen, he was never motivated enough to hang out at the local airports, so instead, he has turned his passion for flying to the operations side of thing and so far has been very successful moving along that path with several aviation related to degrees from Purdue on the near horizon as well as an internship at a major airline.
Only-Figure4829@reddit
Awesome!! And big congrats! 🎉
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
enfinitesoul@reddit
Great job buddy congratulations 🎊 👏
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!
TheKingsRevenge@reddit
Living the dream, congrats!
Jjtimmer@reddit
Anyone got any advice for a 200 hr commercial /multi/ instrument rated that hasn’t flown in 5 years and can’t afford CFI ?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Go get a BFR, get current. Start looking for pipeline/banner tow/survey jobs
-Aces_High-@reddit
Welcome to the club. Remember, always light chop.
Apprehensive-Name457@reddit
I F'ing knew it!
~ATC
ntilley905@reddit
The hardest part of my day is deciding whether it’s intermittent, occasional, or continuous.
Suspicious_Effect@reddit
"Intermittent pockets offfff, I would call it, uhhhh, occasionally continously light chop"
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Always
Martian_row@reddit
Congratulations
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Miyazuma@reddit
im 15 and I want to be a pilot so badly, do u have any good advice?
andrewrbat@reddit
Congrats. What plane were you awarded?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I won't find out until about a week before indoc they said
andrewrbat@reddit
Oh i get it, you took the pic from your lunch break after the interview. I assumed the pic was from when they walk you through there during indoc.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Yeah I snapped it at the end of the day when they said we could have our phones back.
Jrnation8988@reddit
Thanks. I needed this today. Been going through hell with the VA. Finally starting on CFI. I know I still have a long road ahead of me, but we’ll get there…
balsadust@reddit (OP)
You bet! Try to enjoy each step of the journey.
Katana_DV20@reddit
Congratulations, the world waits for you and your office will have the best views. Happy flights!
767 with blended winglets looks good!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!!
BombaFett@reddit
WHY DO YOU LIE?!?!? WHAT IS THAT?? A PLANE FOR ANTS??? THE PLANE SHOULD BE AT LEAST THREE TIMES THIS SIZE !!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Lolol
Simple_Pie_6538@reddit
Welcome man! You will love it.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!! I'm super excited. Hope I get a220 MSP. That would be perfect
Simple_Pie_6538@reddit
Bid 220 anything if you can get it. MSP 220 is super junior right now, so should be able to get it on a AE if not given on initial.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Cool thanks for the advice!
fremdo@reddit
Damn dude I’ve seen your posts a bunch in r/RCplanes but didn’t realize you were a full scale pilot and now at Delta of all places! Congrats!! Hope you still keep up with hobby (and maybe get more time for it with your new schedule!)
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Yeah that's how I pay for all my toys. I'll still be in the hobby for sure. My son just expressed some interest in a Slow Pole 40 kit I had stashed under the bed. Would be fun to build it with him.
electrical_pilot7@reddit
What’s your educational background? :)
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Bachelors in Economics, Associates in Aviation
Ok-Sundae6553@reddit
Congrats! Out of curiosity, did you use the degree to fund the training?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
No, I was lucky and my parents paid for my flight training while I was in college. Best gift you can give your kid is a debt free education. I am forever grateful. I'll be able to do it for mine now.
RojoFlojo@reddit
Congrats!! 🫡 All the best, sir
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Cr3amwizard@reddit
Well deserved
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thank you! Appreciate that. Feel like I did something right. Also leaving 121 back in the day with no captain time did not completely screw me over.
nordo-18@reddit
That’s a dope model airplane. You’re going to get paid to fly that around?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
I wish I got paid to fly model airplanes
ananajakq@reddit
Congrats buddy!! 🎉🎉
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!! Feels good
Specialist-Rip-5063@reddit
Congrats buddy ill see you soon in the skies
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I'm excited!
Suspicious-Equal-505@reddit
What was your dream job and who were you flying with before
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Dream job was always Delta. Kind of gave up on it for a while because they never called me. I was a 135 charter captain
Suspicious-Equal-505@reddit
Ahhh, I’m trying to pick a flight school. I’m currently in the medical field. Any advice ?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Go to a part 61 school and pay as little as possible. The certificates are the same. It does not matter where they came from. Avoid a school that makes you plop a huge lump sum down.
Suspicious-Equal-505@reddit
Thank you and congrats !
Ok-Commission-4007@reddit
LETS GO 🔥
irv0211@reddit
Welcome to Delta!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
rickmaz@reddit
Congrats from a 74 y/o retired Delta pilot enjoying the simple retired life in Hawaii!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!! Enjoy it
Canikfan434@reddit
Congratulations!!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Asianchansation@reddit
Dream job for sure. Big Congratulations, go celebrate!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Impressive-Ad3348@reddit
Congratulations! I hope I have you in class.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! June, hopefully.
Otherwise-Pen70@reddit
All the best, you earned it.!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
notagreatpilot@reddit
Any wise words for someone coming from 135 who don’t get the delta offer on their first interview :(
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Did they say why? Did you do the interview prep?
notagreatpilot@reddit
No they definitely can’t say why. I used Emerald Coast and thought I did great in the interview.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Something in the logbooks not jive with the application?
notagreatpilot@reddit
Nahh, but I do have all paper. That may have been part of it? I’m currently switching to digital ATM. I know there were a couple hours off from the app just cause of the rounding up on their part. 2 checkride fails too, but thought I explained the one they asked about to their liking.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
I had a fail I had to explain. I used Prosoft binders for my log book. They asked zero questions about it.
notagreatpilot@reddit
Yup, I’ll be using them next time around for sure! Did you wear red tie and black shoes with a navy suit?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Nah. Bout 8 guys did though. They all looked the same. Black suite, blue striped suit with a yellow tie. The a350 captain who shook my hand after the CJO said he wore a yellow tie to his interview back in the day.
notagreatpilot@reddit
Damn so it wasn’t the brown shoes that cost me? 😭 that’s great about your tie though, again, congrats man!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks man! Keep at it!
blizzue@reddit
Stay off the ops freq
Ted_Striker02@reddit
121.5? lol. My airline refers to it as delta ops 🤣
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Got it
Several-Village5814@reddit
Congrats brotha
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Patient-Frosting6620@reddit
LFG!!!!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
ArtificialFlight@reddit
Knew you could do it big balsa man.
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I don't think I'm going to go to NetJets
Wr3ckless13@reddit
Congratulations!!!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
MotoPetal@reddit
Congrats. On the first attempt?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks. Well, been applying since 2012. But first time interviewing. Kind of quit trying after 2016. I had a decent 135 gig. The dream was still there, I just thought I'd never get the call. Applied in January and they sent me an invite to the online assessment the next week
MotoPetal@reddit
Awesome. Which interview prep did you do?
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Emerald coast
CalliopesMask@reddit
Aww. A friend of mine just started this week too. Congrats!!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
WingedWildcat@reddit
Welcome to Delta! Thanks for the bump!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
Twarrior913@reddit
Congratulations!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
XxSkyHopperxX@reddit
Yooo, congratulations man!
balsadust@reddit (OP)
Thanks!
OnigiriEnthusiast@reddit
Thanks for the seniority bump 😉