| Life of an airline pilot is exciting, however it is a lot of | | | | they are then able to take up commercial flying once |
| demanding work too. In view of the fact that safety is | | | | they leave. From this platform, a pilot can branch out |
| most important in the aviation sector, airline pilots have | | | | as per preference, fitness, etc. The other options for a |
| to go through a lot of training, examinations and check | | | | pilot are charter flying, air-taxis, crop-dusting, flying |
| flights in order to keep the various competencies | | | | doctors, search and rescue, etc. |
| required sharp and up to date. Even a captain of a | | | | Here you will probably talk to an HR person and a line |
| 747 will have to take various exams and flight checks | | | | pilot. Since its Southwest, the big thing here is attitude. |
| a few times a year. | | | | Are you someone who is pleasant to spend a four |
| When you think of flying for an airline, you probably | | | | day trip with? They are looking for someone who is |
| picture yourself as a captain on a jumbo jet. There are | | | | easy-going, enthusiastic, and a leader without being |
| a few unique things about airline careers that you | | | | "alpha male". Make sure you smile (subtle), but don't try |
| should know. First, it will take years to make captain at | | | | to be a comedian, even if it is Southwest. |
| a major airline. Depending on your age and fluctuations | | | | Secondly, those professionals afflicted with addiction |
| in the industry, you may never get there before you | | | | are usually afraid to admit to their condition because of |
| reach the mandatory retirement age of 65. Many pilots | | | | the social stigma. The general public has a tendency to |
| reach retirement as a first officer rather than as a | | | | believe that addiction is caused, at least in part, by |
| captain. | | | | moral weakness and/or a lack of willpower. It is |
| Determination, this is a big one, you are likely to come | | | | generally recognized that it requires tremendous |
| across many setbacks when training to become an | | | | willpower to study for 10 to 15 years to become a pilot |
| airline pilot. These include financial setbacks, failing | | | | or a surgeon. Yet, these highly trained professionals |
| ground exams/flight tests as well as failing job | | | | can become addicted to alcohol and drugs just as |
| applications. Some setbacks are normal on the way to | | | | easily as the typical man or woman walking down the |
| a career as an airline pilot. If you are weak and give up | | | | street. |
| to easily then look for another career. The true eager | | | | Well, despite what you have seen on Television such |
| future airline pilot must show determination and a | | | | occurrences are very rare. So, rare in fact, that you |
| refusal to give up. | | | | should never be worried that you might end up on a |
| The minimum qualification required for an airline pilot is a | | | | plane where the pilot was drunk. And even if they |
| 'frozen' Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). This | | | | were, you must understand that there are two pilots in |
| involves passing written examinations for the ATPL | | | | airliners so there would most likely be one that was |
| and doing 200 hours of flight training, including flight | | | | sober. So, the chances of both the co-pilot and pilot |
| tests. Commercial pilots are put in charge of a machine | | | | being drunk are extraordinary low. |
| that is literally worth millions of pounds and therefore to | | | | The next section on your CV following your key skills |
| become a pilot you need to develop a number of key | | | | summary should feature your professional work |
| skills. Although this job has a number of benefits, their is | | | | experience. Include aircraft type and specific flight |
| also a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of the pilot | | | | times for each aircraft type. Also include starting and |
| as they are responsible for all the people on board. | | | | leaving dates along with employers' names. Also |
| They must ensure they arrive at their destination | | | | always try to highlight use of your skills and how those |
| safely. | | | | skills were acquired and honed in the course of your |
| In some countries, it is mandatory for all civilians to | | | | work. Your qualifications and training should follow your |
| serve with the Armed Forces for a certain duration. | | | | work experience and should include dates, names of |
| Here, one finds most pilots get their basic flying training; | | | | institutions and certifications gained. |