Will I be able to become a major airline pilot?

I had all of my ratings except ATP by the time that I was 21. The military worked real hard to get me interested, and I almost joined; but in the end, I passed. My problem was that I could sign up to be a pilot, and then "based on the needs of the service" I could be given a rifle and told that I was in the infantry.

Since I had all my ratings, they had nothing to offer me. I have very small regrets that I didn't ever land on a carrier, or go super sonic; otherwise, my career has proceeded just fine. Advantages of Military: (Some of these are anecdotal, as I didn't go this route) 1) Ratings are free, except that you pay a tremendous opportunity cost with 10 years of your life.

2) You get to serve your country. 3) When you get out, in 10 years, you can usually find a Reserve unit to drill with. This makes extra money during those lean first few years, and is a place to go back to full time when/if you get furloughed.

4) If you are good, you can fly some really hot equipment 5) You get some really great training. Disadvantages: 1) After 10 years, you might get out as a low time pilot, and still need 3-5 years at a regional to get ready for a major. 2) Hiring cycles at the majors are funny.

Suppose you have all the time that you need, but are waiting for the last year of your 10 year commitment to be done, and the hiring door slams shut. It might be 5 years before the door opens again. 3) You might get shot at.

You mention that you are 20 now. You will need a 4-year degree to get in the service as a pilot. If you have the money to continue your training, why not finish up your training, and continue with college?

Then, at the end, you are 22-23, and can look at the big picture from a lot closer, and make a decision then. CFI your way through college. I believe that the hiring door will open in a big way between now and December 2012.

When it does, there will be hundreds opportunities at the Legacy/Major carriers each and every month and this will go on for years and years. This will create major opportunities at the regionals also. Am I right or wrong?

Only time will tell, but in 2 years you will be better able to read the tea leaves.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.