From Zero to Airline Captain – The Ultimate 2025 Pilot Career Guide

I'm Hayden Teteak, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor and United Aviate participant, and in this episode I'm giving you a complete, no-BS guide to becoming an airline pilot in 2025. If you're starting from scratch with zero hours and no aviation background, this episode is made for you.

This is everything I wish someone had told me before I began flight training. I break down every step of the journey — from your very first intro flight all the way to becoming a Captain at a major airline like United, Delta, or American.

Topics covered include:

• FAA pilot licenses and ratings explained (PPL, IR, CPL, CFI, ATP)

• Medical certificates, flight school options, and how to choose the right path

• The 1500-hour rule and how to build time efficiently

• Accelerated academies vs university aviation programs

• Cadet programs like United Aviate, American Cadet Academy, SkyWest Pathway, and more

• Airline hiring trends in 2025 and beyond

• Regional airline life, upgrade timelines, and major airline transitions

• The real cost of training and how to finance your career

• Pilot lifestyle: schedule, pay, commuting, union life, and long-term outlook

If you're tired of vague answers and surface-level advice, this is the detailed, structured blueprint you've been looking for. Whether you're in high school, college, or switching careers — this episode will help you understand the full scope of what it takes to become a professional airline pilot today.

Follow the podcast for more deep-dive aviation content, and if this helped you out, share it with someone who’s also thinking about flight training.