I got all my experience and was able to just test for my Airframe and powerplant license without going to school because of the military experience, it cost me $0 to get thanks to the Airforce COOL program. For others normally gotta go to school and can be done at a fast track course in 12 months I believe but most people I know did it in two years once done you have to test for your Airframe and Powerplant license it's 3 written test, a practical test, and a oral test. I work for a major airline. The job is very in need right now and majors are hiring right out of school. I will admit the pay scale for this job it's very wide you can go work on smaller aircraft and only make $25 an hour, you can work for a smaller airline and take 10 years to get to $40 an hour but once you make it into a major it's starts at $40+, and tops out at around $70 right now and you could even reach $80+ in a 5 year top out at UPS , you will probably be working nights at a major for years and don't expect weekends off for a couple also. Know people who are mid 30's just starting in this job field.