Most pilots start very small, become a flight instructor, gradually progress to multiengine, perhaps fly some charter and/or pipeline, and graduate to either corporate or regional airline. Some go to Central America, South America, Caribbean, or Africa to build the time. It is a tough row to hoe, and there is no guaranteed pot of gold; many through no fault of their own, other than just possessing bad luck, never make it to an airline cockpit. Others choose to serve their country by joining the military.

My standard answer:

1. Most airlines require a 4-year degree. They don’t generally care what the degree is in, they just want one.
2. Stay away from drugs. Stay away from people who do drugs. This includes grass.
3. If you drink, NEVER drink and drive—a DUI is a career killer
4. Avoid getting tickets. Many airlines require that you submit your national driving record with your application. Too many tickets=no interview.

You are speaking of entering a career that is incredibly unforgiving of any offenses involving the police: DUI, drugs, assault, etc. The company will, some day, launch you in a 150 million dollar jet, and have to just trust your judgment. Your record needs to be spotless.

You must be in reasonable health to fly. Before you start making career decisions, make certain that you currently meet the medical requirements by finding an AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) on faa.gov, and taking a Class I Physical. This is even more true for the military.

Flight Training:

You can go to an aviation college (ERAU is not the only one), and get the training along with the degree. I am a little concerned with what an aviation degree does for a person who suddenly because of health or other issues, can’t fly. San Jacinto has a 2-year program that gets an Associate Degree, and all the ratings. I am certain that there are others. After that, you can move to another college and finish out a 4-year degree in some fall-back area. Total cost will probably be somewhere in the 70-100K range, and student loans are available.

Get your 4-year degree, and then attend an accelerated program such as ATP, where you will spend 50-70K, loans are available, and get all the ratings in about 3-9 months. I heard recently that ATP dropped their post private pilot price to 40K. IF you have the money, maturity, etc. consider doing this as soon as you are 18, and then CFI your way through college.

Go to your local flight school, and take the training there. This will sometimes be a little hodge podge, and the schools can be all over the map in terms of quality of training and equipment. I live in a major metro area, and I know of only three local flight schools where I would have or have sent my children, or that I am willing to recommend. Even the great local schools, no matter what they say, just aren’t geared to getting you through quickly. Plan on at least 2 years from start to finish. This might be cheaper than any of the other options, until you consider the opportunity cost. This is the only option that easily allows you to retain a job during training.

After you get your 4-year degree, go to the military. The upside is that you get to fly some really neat equipment and serve your country, assuming that you are a US citizen. The downside is that, if you are not s..t-hot, you may find yourself flying some really mundane equipment, and you are still committed to a long time in the service. I think the current commitment is 10 years, Did I mention that you might get shot at! When you separate from the military, if you can find a slot in the Reserves or Guard, it can be a real godsend if you are furloughed. You just go back the the military until the furlough is canceled. It can also help bolster your pay during those lean first few years. On the other hand, many military pilots separate with less than 1000 hours, so they, after 10 years in the military, still have to go to the Regionals to build time. So the upgrade to the Major can easily be 15 years after college graduation, or 37+ years old.

I have seen a lot of guys and gals go through ATP, and be hired by a Regional less than one year after solo. That is NOT happening in the current economic climate, but will probably happen again in the future. When is anybody’s guess.

If you choose an accelerated program, I would recommend that you go away to school. If you attempt to attend an accelerated school where you are required to live, eat, and breathe aviation 24/7, you are at a natural disadvantage when mom, dad, girlfriend, boyfriend, whatever calls and wants something. Also, you lose the drive time each day that the other students don’t have.