My 18 year old is working on getting his PPL currently, interested in ultimately becoming an airline pilot, and near HS graduation. We are trying to come up with his path to get there. I know a few older and retired airline pilots, but looking to visit with someone who has more current info.

Basically, needing to figure out the weight of a 4 year degree, A&P, more flight hours, etc. Also how that will affect him later. I know a 4 year degree was previously a requirement and is now just preferred, it sounds like the majority of hires are still based off a degree though. I'm not trying to scare him into getting a degree, but we would like to talk to someone in the know about how having or not having will affect him.

Look into the cadet programs with the caveat you are tied to a contract, which could amount to a few years of pay at a higher rate. That said, at his age, it's negligible if he can get in. Propel is the only one I'm remotely familiar with. I'd skip the in person 4 year degree. At the end of the day, it's now only a tie-breaker. Do something online. I went the mil route, flew helicopters, then paid out of pocket for my fixed wing add ons - couldn't stand the thought of instructing, either. I was EXTREMELY lucky with timing. I was at a legacy about 3 years after flying fixed wing aircraft (but had helicopter time prior to that.)

Hiring also likes to see something to differentiate yourself from others. Volunteer work. A business owned etc. Right now I have buddies who have a lot of 121 jet time at other non-legacy carriers, that aren't getting calls. One is a CA at Frontier - crickets. They have limited things to separate themselves from the thousands of other resumes of pilots who have jet time.

Something to think about, although I know nothing about it - flying for a carrier overseas. A lot of the Asian carriers rely on expats for the language skills, supposedly. I just flew with a captain who is a US citizen, and flew for a LCC in the Phillipines after getting his ratings in the US. He then came over here, flew for a regional for a year to get 121 time, and then went to a legacy.

One other thing to keep in mind - the hiring has been fast and furious post covid. I had 23 year olds in my legacy airline indoc class. Don't put money on getting to a legacy as fast as some others - they are hiring a ton now, in a few years that might slow - and now you've got 25/6/7 year olds who are sitting at an airline until 65. Have a backup plan. This industry is fickle and absolutely cyclical. It could all fall apart tomorrow.

It's definitely uncertain how things will be in 4.5 years, which is why we need to get the best path to success.

We've been looking at the propel and destination 225 programs right now but that's probably a long shot.

The more we look into things, the more I think that a 4 year degree (online) is important. Texas A&M - Central offers an entirely online professional Pilot degree we're looking into. It looks like hours transfer into there from getting his certs and possibly from getting an A&P cert. We need to get someone on the phone from there today or tomorrow to figure that path out, but that's a promising path at this point.

We can get all his certs except ATP pretty locally, I don't see a good reason to go to a big flight school. An 8-12 month program seems like it's beneficial to older people getting certs, he has 4 1/2 years to get to where he's trying to get.

Right now, the path that I'm thinking is to get all his certs, except ATP, over the next 16 months, do flight instruction once he has his CFII (I think he'll do great at that), go get his A&P either at San Marcos or at TSTC, then do online school to get his degree.

The kid isn't certain about a 4 year degree as he'd prefer to get more flight hours. Online will afford him to get flight hours instructing and getting hours other ways while he earns a degree.

Any flaws with this?

Howdy! I'm currently in the SWA 225 Program. I started flying out of Easterwood working towards my PPL while I was in school at A&M. I applied to all available cadet programs at the time just after graduating in 2022. Right now I'm a CFI in the program with a new-hire class date set for early Summer 2027.

For some perspective on cadet programs, in 2022 only the majors were offering cadet programs and they were all marketed as 0 flight time to airline & having any significant amount of flight time was a hinderance on the resume other than a few hours to show you're seriously interested in flying as a career. Nowadays, regional airline cadet programs are looking like the best way to get priority hiring towards a regional airline after instructing to 1500 hours and an ATP. Some come with a stipend, some don't, some give you a mentor to guide you along, some don't, some have a contract, some don't. Each are different in what the outcome is and each offer different entry points in terms of flight experience. One thing is for certain - you need excellent recommendations to get in, preferably from someone in a seat at the airline of choice that can speak about their character.

I don't know too much about the regional airline cadet programs, but the cadet programs put on by major airlines are very competitive. Aside from the fresh-out-of-high school guys whose dad was a senior captain at the company, all are super well rounded guys. I'd say 8 out of 10 have a 4 year STEM degree. All had excellent rec letters, and all highly self motivated guys. Most failed little to no flights and no more than 1 checkride failure. Attrition was high and is even higher now that programs have strict minimum standards to remain in good standing. In my initial class of 17, maybe only 9 or 10 made it to working as a CFI.

As far as comparing what I've done so far to a guy going through their ratings on their own time it's hard to say if its worth it. I've had the backing of a major airline my whole way through, and that has opened doors to me that would certainly not be open to a part 61 guy. I got a CFI job that pays a 401k, gives health benefits, sent me to Europe for 3 months to get EU & UK flight instructor certs, and pays overtime over 40 hours - all because I was a "preferential candidate" for the job. I'll go directly from CFI to Major Airline, which is basically unheard of in the current market. A LOT of motivation is needed to go that quick under part 61 funding yourself. You really need to treat it like a full time job to truly succeed in my opinion.

That's the gist of what I can think of now. If you have questions you can reach out to me.

I'd do the online degree with the flight hours. Also make sure he knows where he wants to end up. Don't join a program just to get in. For example - I hated flying at Southwest. I moved on and am much happier where I am now at a larger legacy. Yes, they are all super competitive at the moment.

Check out the cadet options, and make a decision about online schools based on that. Another option if it's in your budget, is buy a cheap 150, and hire the instructor. Sell it when he's got his CFI/CFII and a job. Your costs will be a little cheaper in the long run and he can go fly whenever.

The one thing I would do immediately is get him a first class medical. Propel has a window opening soon, the collegiate route might be open now.

The one thing I will say - in speaking with friends who are recruiters - you have to differentiate yourself. These recruiters look at thousands of resumes. Everyone is a pilot, they all have hours. Volunteer work. Running your own business. Giving back. Something to separate yourself. Join some pilot organizations and get involved. It's super competitive right now, and you want to be at the top of the list.

He can also look at getting a dispatchers license as a backup plan vice the A&P.