Becoming a pilot for an airline?

That is, IMO, the absolute best way to become an airline pilot (aside from maybe going the military route). It keeps you out of debt and gives you experience in a good, backup career. Pick a career that is stable, well paying and something you actually like doing. That's exactly how I did it. Trust me, this career is not worth getting into debt over. Get a good backup career, save your money and pay for your training without taking out any loans. Also, I would stay working in your first career as long as you can. That is, I wouldn't quit until you were very close to getting your commercial pilots license. Even then, keep your contacts and skills up incase you have to go back to that career (I went back to my first career).

Absolutely. In fact many newcomers to the aviation business are doing that. It is at least much more financially sound and can save you alot of the hassle in trying to become a pilot when you just do not have the resources. The only negative aspect is that if you make it, you will be coming into aviation at an older age and might not have as much time to advance

Literally hundreds, if not thousands of guys have done exactly what you propose. Get your degree, and get a good job. You can then either keep your job and fly on evenings and weekends at your local flight school, or you can quit your job and attend an accelerated program such as ATP (1-800-ALL-ATPS). The question is whether you have the desire or not. No matter how you do it, you will have to quit your comfy well paying job to take an entry level job in aviation. Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. You will have several entry level jobs that pay next to nothing before you ever make it. Further, many don't make it, through no fault of their own, other than just having bad luck. Possible time line: 1) Either quit your job and attend an accelerated school, or attend flight school on evenings and weekends. 9 Months to 3 years, and spend around 60-80K doing this, not to mention the opportunity cost. 2) Flight instruct to get the all-important 500-1500 hours required to get that first job at the regional. Make absolute starvation wages during this time. 6 Months to 3 years. 3) Get the FO job at the regional, and make more starvation wages. 3 Years. By about year 3, you can get off of food stamps. A slight exaggeration, but not entirely untrue. 4) Move to the left seat at the regional, and make around 60-80K. Work here for about another 2-3 years. 5) Become an FO at a major, and make starvation wages for the first 1 year. After about 3 years the money gets pretty good if you have chosen the right major, and there are no furloughs. By year 5, the income should be well North of 100K. The above is realistic, but some will do it faster than others, some will take a lot longer, and some will never make it. On the other hand, if you gotta fly, you gotta fly. Aviation is a drug 1000 times stronger than crack. Good Luck!

im there now its great, i have great benefits but the only thing is that its horrible for the first 5-8 years out of school its hard to live due to horrible pay but if you stay in it, the money will come! this is how to get there fast http://www.atpflightschool.com/

Yes, it would be a good way of becoming a pilot. This is what I did. After I completed school, I went to work in an office for a year and a half to save up the money for flight school. Just be sure to research the job thoroughly - it is not anywhere near as glamorous as most people think.

Looks like the only way for you.