Help Me Fund My Dream of Being an Airline Pilot

My name is Sequoia Hall, I’m a 19-year-old Native American, African American, and Caucasian mixed woman who has a lifelong dream of becoming a commercial pilot.

On January 2nd of this year, I applied to Southwest Airlines’ Destination 225° Cadet Program, and I’m exceedingly thrilled to say that just a few days before my birthday, March 17th, I received a call from Southwest saying, "welcome to the team!"

This 3 month selection process has felt extremely long at times, and yet gone by in a flash. In those three months, I have had my Application reviewed, submitted a One-Way Interview, completed the 3 hour ADAPT Test, had 2 back-to-back 45 minute Interviews with Southwest, and secured my seat with the school for the June class to which only 10 places were open. And let's not leave out the amount of email checking. There has been a lot. Many times a day, every day, responding immediately to any and all that appear in my inbox for the last 3 months.

On the Southwest website, they state that the average time it takes for a cadet to complete the training portion of the 4-year program is 13 months, after which, cadets will have received their CFII certificate, allowing them to become flight instructors and begin making money in the program. Before acquiring that certificate, it is recommended by Southwest Airlines that cadets do not work even part-time jobs during the 13 months of training, as not to take away from study time or serve as a distraction.

My goal is to cover the cost of the program and the general things I will need in the first 13 months where working will be made nearly impossible given the rigorous full-time training in that time period.

I have such a passion for aviation, and I’ve known it was what I wanted as my career from the moment I first flew a plane at 14. Now that I am old enough to really make it happen, the future I dream about is within reach, I just have to grab it.

I have done research into what I believe my housing, fuel and food expense would look like in the program, and you’ll see a breakdown below.

The cost of this training is substantial, and while I’m committed to doing everything I can to make this happen, I don’t myself, nor does my family, have the funds to cover expenses.

The cost breakdown:

Overall program tuition: $116,578

Housing for 13 months of training: $13,000

Food during 13 months of training: $5,200

Fuel for commuting during the 13 months: $1,500

Total Goal: $136,278

Any donation, big or small, will help me get one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming an airline pilot. Your support means so much to me, and I’ll be updating everyone throughout the process. Thank any and all of you for believing in me!

P.S. The background of the cover photo, although it's hard to tell, was taken at a small airport near my hometown, that I rode to on my lovely little bike, Blue, for a fun sunset photo shoot!