Rank 1: Cadet or Training Pilot A cadet or training pilot wears one stripe. They are usually in a training program with an airline, and they complete the required number of flight hours to pass their training with a specially trained pilot to help.

In the hierarchy of a commercial flight deck, the lowest "active" rank is the Second Officer (SO). However, many people consider the First Officer (FO), also known as the "Co-Pilot," to be the entry-level rank because not all airlines utilize Second Officers. A Second Officer is typically a "relief pilot" used on long-haul international flights to allow the Captain and First Officer to take mandatory rest breaks; they usually only operate the aircraft during the "cruise" phase of flight and are not permitted to perform takeoffs or landings. If you look at the broader career path, the absolute lowest rank would be a "Student Pilot" or a "Flight Instructor" in a general aviation setting. Once at a commercial airline, everyone starts as a First Officer (distinguished by three stripes on their epaulets), regardless of their total flying hours. It takes years of "seniority" and a "Command Upgrade" to reach the rank of Captain (four stripes). In 2026, with the pilot shortage continuing, the transition from First Officer to Captain is happening faster than in previous decades, but the strict hierarchy remains the cornerstone of "Cockpit Resource Management."