Becoming a commercial airline pilot can be achieved through the military or civilian route, with each having its own advantages and disadvantages. Pilots require extensive training and experience, and additional certifications may be necessary for international flights. Airlines provide further training and require routine physical and drug screenings.
There are two routes to becoming a commercial airline pilot: the military route and the civilian route. Each has distinct advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when pursuing a career in commercial aviation. Future pilots should also be aware that commercial airline pilots need a lot of training, which often involves a very large cash investment, and that employment in commercial aviation is quite varied. Some pilots earn high salaries flying internationally for major airlines, while others struggle to earn on local routes.
Becoming a commercial airline pilot via the military route involves joining the Air Force, qualifying as a pilot there, and committing to a set number of years of service as a pilot. In addition to working as a pilot, military pilots are also called upon to perform military duties, and military experience should not be seen as just a stepping stone on the path to becoming a commercial airline pilot. After a pilot’s military service ends, he or she can apply to work on commercial airlines, relying on the flight experience and certifications obtained to enter the door.
People who choose to take the civilian route to becoming a commercial airline pilot are encouraged to consider attending college, which does not necessarily have to do with aviation. Upon earning a basic degree, a pilot candidate can either attend flight school or enroll in a professional school that trains pilots. Finally, the goal is to obtain a commercial pilot certificate, which requires 250 hours of flight and ground training. At the end of the training, pilots can take a check-ride, a kind of sky driving test, to be certified.
In addition to a commercial pilot certificate, a commercial airline pilot also needs a medical certificate, an instrument rating, and a multi-engine rating. Even with those qualifications, most airlines won’t line up to hire you. Commercial airline pilots need many flight hours, preferably in the thousands, before an airline will consider them, meaning you may need to work for regional and passenger airlines to gain sufficient experience. Along the way, you can work towards your Air Transport Pilot certificate, which requires 1,500 hours of flight time with 250 in command. This flight certificate entitles you to be in the helm of a commercial airliner, sitting in the coveted captain’s seat and making the announcements that begin “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking…”
Once someone is hired by an airline, be it the civil or military route, additional training is required. Airlines train pilots in their procedures and also provide training that is sometimes required by government aviation agencies. Pilots who want to be able to fly internationally may be required to pursue additional certifications, and commercial airline pilots must also undergo routine physical and drug screenings to ensure they are fit for duty.
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