Become a Professional Pilot

Anyone that knows me will say I am a bit OCD when it comes to organization.  With this comes the ability to pack smartly and be able to live on the road for a week or more at a time.  When a pilot is on reserve, they could easily be gone for five plus days at a time.  For those of us who hold lines, or are on reserve flying international, we could be gone six or more days at a time.  Packing is key to survive and be comfortable. For starters, most airlines allow crew members to have a total of three bags.  This includes a roller bag (carry-on style suitcase, 22 or 24 inch), a second bag such as a flight kit, and a third bag such as a lunchbox.  I will cover all three. Lets start with the easy stuff... FOOD! I carried the  Stealth Premier Cooler from Luggage works.  This has a good size top section for dry items and a large section for cold items, as well as a front pocket for utensils and side pockets for sauce packets. I started out meal prepping...

 Stars & Stripes:  https://ww2.stripes.com/sponsored-content/cal-aeronautical-university AOPA:  https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2022/march/25/cau-graduate-and-navy-veteran-aaron-hepps-shares-his-journey

 Unlike most of my blog entries, this entry is specific to Delta Air Lines (Yup, "Air Lines" is two words for Delta!) I have had my application in at Delta (via airlineapps.com) since I finished initial training at Envoy Airlines.  I knew they would not select me that soon, but it made it easy to just keep updating the application until one day I had what Delta wanted.  I recommend doing the same. At the time of selection, here is what I had: Regional Airline First Officer LOSA Pilot for Regional Airline TT: 2000 Part 121: 1010 Masters Degree Military Service 5000 Volunteer Hours University Professor To prepare your application, take a look at the video below.  This hour long video will explain the in's and out's of your application.  The majors are looking at the details, and it is very important to ensure your application has that attention to detail. The Application  (if this link does not work, please email me) Once my application was selected by Delta,...

One of the most frequent questions I see on mentorship pages is future airline pilots asking what materials they should study in order to be better prepared for their upcoming class at their first [regional] airline.  My answer, NONE! Now, much more goes into that answer than simply doing absolutely nothing, so I will attempt to provide some guidance. Airline training is very specific.  Many airlines fly multiple different aircraft and often you do not know which you will be assigned until the first day in your class.  However, others award your aircraft type prior to your class date.  Regardless, the guidance remains the same. Airlines have spent hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars, to create their training programs.  The programs are very structured (even more so than Part 141 training) and are proven to provide their trainees with the best possible opportunity for success.  After all, it takes $30,000+ to train a single pilot for their airlin...

 The Covid-19 Pandemic has forever changed the face of our planet.  Its profound affect on the airline industry has lasting damage that will take years to recover.  Regardless of your stance or political opinions on the Covid-19 pandemic and the Covid-19 vaccine, airlines are taking no chances. Every airline requires applicants to be fully Covid-19 vaccinated.  From majors to regionals, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination.  Without such, you will not be extended an interview and/or complete the hiring process.  For those requiring boosters (per CDC guidance), you must have boosters as well. Pilots currently employed at an airline may not be subject to this mandate per their contract, but will be unable to gain other airline employment (for example, regional pilot wishing to apply to major’s) without the completed vaccine series. Additionally, they will be bared from certain (most) international flights as a requirement of the destination and...

For those students wishing to join a regional, the application process is something that can take time.  Many students only have experience with minimum wage or entry level job applications and do not understand just how detailed and involved the airline application can be.  Majority of airlines use www.airlineapps.com. One great feature about airline applications, regardless of the site, is that you can start the application and "publish" when you are ready. Regional airlines will often give a CJO (conditional job offer) to flight students whom are within six months to a year of meeting the minimums to be an airline pilot.  Therefore, I tell students that you should start applying to those airlines you are interested in about six months prior to being able to go.  But I also tell students, give yourself 2-4 weeks to make your applications, edit your application, and have it reviewed prior to submitting. Though the regionals are not looking for perfection, the major ...

This is from an aviation lawyer. I’ve seen it happen, even at the airlines. Don’t let it happen to you! ——- *** Danger***  This long email is necessary and coming to you because of the number of pilots reaching out to me and colleagues of mine regarding litigation over terms of employment/training contracts they have signed.  (I’m an attorney and a professional pilot).  There is one outfit in particular that is a repeat offender, but this is good advice nonetheless. All of us get excited about new job opportunities and employers that are going to pay for recurrent or even initial types.  However, you MUST read the contract put in front of you. A couple things to note: 1) When offered a job, ask them to send you all required contacts for review. Be up front, you don’t want to move your family and be presented with a new or different contract on the first day.  2) If you are offered a job, you move, get ready for first day/training and at the last minute, a new co...

Once someone decides they want to be a professional pilot, they often ask me about my schedule.  How often do I work? How long am I away from home? What is an airline pilot schedule like? The easy answer... There is no answer! Schedules... The schedules at the airline not only differ from person to person, but company to company. Passenger airline pilot's often have a similar way in which their schedules work, and cargo airline pilots have another.  I do not know too much about cargo other than many of them work 14-16 days on, then 14-16 days off.  Yes, 14-16 days straight, away from home. For passenger airline pilots (I am going to use what I know, mostly based on my company which works like most), our schedule does not work like that.  We have federal laws that require us to have so much rest in a given day, week, month, year.  These rules don't apply (mostly) to cargo operators. Each month on the 15th, a "bid package" comes out (see picture one below).  ...

 When someone says to me, "I want to be a pilot," the first question I always ask is "what is your end goal?" The world of aviation is vast, including pilots.  There are all kinds of pilots out there and depending on what your goal is, each journey is different.  I hope to cover a few of these. I just want to fly my friends and family... The largest group of pilots are "Private Pilots."  What non-aviation people think when they hear that term is that you are flying a jet for a rich person; that couldn't be further from the truth. Per the FAA, a private pilot " may not act as a pilot in command of  an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire, nor may you be paid to act as a pilot in command." In simple terms, you cannot fly a plane and be paid to do such. A private pilot is the certificate you need in order to fly friends and family for fun.  Now, you do not have to pay for the entire flight yourself, your pass...

Airline pilots are required to have several things with them when on duty.  Aside from company specific items, every airline pilot is required to have: Passport (Valid with at least six months before expiration) Medical Certificate Pilot Certificate(s) Government Photo ID (Can use passport) Restricted Radio Operator Though you do not need to get a passport before starting your training, it is a good idea to.  Airlines will not accept your application or invite you for interview if you do not have a valid passport.  Please keep in mind if you do not have a US Passport, your country's passport must allow you unrestricted access to any/all countries that the airline you are apply serve. Life Hack: Airline Pilots use a system called KCM to access the airport.  This allows us to bypass passenger security lines and use an alternate "flight crew" security line.  To access this line, you must present your company ID and valid photo ID (that meets federal ID requirements...

Many people think that once you test for your pilot certificate, you are set to do whatever you want.  That could not be further from the truth.  Let's first cover some common misconceptions, and then I will explain what you need, and what additional items I recommend. Misconception 1: Pilot License Pilots do not have licenses; they have certificates with ratings.  A license is something the government GAVE you, granting you permission.  A license is not earned.  A certificate is something a governmental agency or governing body awards you for earning the qualification.  For example, you pass drivers ed as a teenager.  The school gives you a completion certificate as you earned the requirements to graduate the course.  You take that certificate to the DMV and they give you a license, granting you permission to drive a car.  Another example is a doctor.  You graduate med school and the school gives you a certificate (degree) stating that ...