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I was hired by United Airlines as a Flight Officer on October 16, 1978. In those days they used the term "Flight Officer" instead of "Pilot" because most new-hires were assigned as Flight Engineers. Now, of course, new-hires are all hired as pilots. My road to the airlines: 1977: Flight Engineer written exam 1977: Airline Transport Pilot written exam - FAILED on the first attempt! 1977: Self-study for ATP written exam - PASSED with 99% 1977: Airline Transport Pilot practical test - Beech 18 1978 (March): Flight Engineer training at Arnautical, Inc. 1978 (April): Instructed Flight Engineer trainees at Arnautical 1978 (May): Updated United application 1978 (July): Interviewed with United Airlines 1978 (October): New-hire at United 1981 (June): Furloughed!