"Being a pilot is one of the most exhilarating jobs one has the pleasure of doing. And if you can do it, please do it. Not only is it rewarding but it's one of the coolest jobs to have to live in this world."
This was the start of a conversation about the journey to becoming an airlines pilot. Stewart, a Captain for American, was on his way to JFK to fly the 737 from New York to the West Coast. Traveling on a semi-packed subway train, I knew Steward wanted help when he looked at the map.
"The last time I took the subway was when my wife and I were lost on our way to dinner." He thought he was going to miss his train stop, I reminded him this train would take him to the Airtrain which will take him directly to the airport. "I forgot cities had air trains. I need one for my wife."
Throughout his random flattery personality, I asked him about flight school. Is it worth the investment? And his response, "It's one of the coolest experiences I've had. Look at the outcome, I fly politicians who cannot afford a private jet across states. And I take college kids home during the holidays." I laughed because of his facial expression when he said this. And so, he continued. "I love my job. I'm one of those captains that entertain the cabin with dad jokes. But at the end of the day, I love the machine I get to operate to fly people from point A to point B."
Was flight school hard? I wouldn't say it was hard. It was challenging. When people say flight school is hard, it's not because it's difficult. It's because you're operating a machine that has a lot of tools to it. Most people say flight school is hard to have terrible instructors. For me, I completed flight school at a slower pace. And I loved it.
Are accelerated schools like ATP worth it? [I heard] That's the "Harvard to flight schools today." I hear a lot of pilots mention that school. Take this from me, young man. Accelerated schools are challenging. But they don't make better or great pilots. They award pilots with the knowledge to fly. Whether you take an accelerated course or you go to a school at a slower pace, at the end of the day, you're going to develop knowledge 90% of the population do not have.
Do you think jobs will be there for new pilots? My career is over in a few years. Someone's gotta fly these jets and it ain't gonna be me. Take your classes. Accelerated or not. Take your classes. You will be put into a cockpit.
Is check rides hard? Again, flight school is not hard.
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