Blaine01

Hey Champ you got it all figured out don't listen to the rest of us who have been in the industry for 10+ years. One bit of advice you better be fully prepared to be disappointed. Enjoy sacking groceries while you wait for that mainline job. If you can't take the advice of professionals in the industry then I hope I never have to share a cockpit with you.

FlynPoPo

CRM, You came to this website seeking advice and got it from experienced flyers/airline pilots who know the industry. You may not like what they said but they are being honest and what better advice than from people who are actively involved in it on a daily basis.

I'm just a CFI who wants a career also-but I have made some changes to long term plans based on what the people on this forum tell me the industry is doing. The best advice, I believe Rick stated this, is to go through training at your local FBO, continue working, and hope things get better in the future!

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It's a River Otter

slipped

Wachovia has my loan, Sallie Mae is just another loan as far as Im concerened. Taking out huge loans sucks,but its the way it is. One is just as good as another although I believe getting funding right now is really tough. I personaly appreciate your attitude of making your own decisions, but you might be wrong(but you already know that) Just so you know I borrowed 60k and my payments are 430 a month and that just keeps the interest at bay...read that last one again.
-Slipped

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I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.
T.J.

BHopper88

as a UND grad, here is some advice... GET A DEGREE IN Something NOT IN AVIATION... major in business, whatever and then minor in aviation. Really I enjoyed my time there and such, but I could have graduated earlier, cheaper, and got more experience outside of the UND bubble once I left to instruct part 61 down in Orlando. This is not the time to gather DEBT especially if you want to be a pilot. Plus, HAVE A BACK UP PLAN... I was pretty much led to believe that while going to UND that EVERY SENIOR PILOT was going to retire down the road and there would be a huge shortage and need for pilots. Yea I still have a job at the airlines but im just 30 from the bottom, and my bubble could always pop and Im back looking for work with a family to support.

Really follow your dream but do it SMART. Open your eyes to the advice we all give you, its not given to prevent you to get on our airlines seniority lists, its to make sure really know what you are getting into and maybe not make some of the mistakes we have experienced.

CRMcaptain

Thanks slipped that's all I was looking for. A simple direct answer ...

Thank you for all your other answers, I appreciate your time (even though we might not always agree).

A few weeks ago I started a topic about choosing an University. I received a lot of good feedback, most of the people that posted here posted in that topic also (very similar answers). I read it all, i took notes, thought about it and decided. I know your point of view and there is no need for me to hear it all over again ... I do appreciate your posts but I would appreciate it even more if it was on topic.

Also it would be a lot better if you will post the good with the bad next time someone asks.

This was a simple direct question ... that requires a simple direct answer (thank you again slipped).

P.S. Oh Blaine01 you know me so well ...

P.P.S. Thanks BHopper88, well said ... what certificates/ratings did you get at UND?

NWA320pilot

Boy, you guys are a tough crowd! CRMcaptain I recommend you go for the career choice of your choosing.... When you enjoy what you are doing your job isn't really a job. If you are one of the few that won't be happy unless you make it to the top consider your options. having a fallback path if the aviation field doesn't work out is always a good idea. but having said that most of the guys I fly with all love what they are doing.

As for funds I really don't have a good answer for you. I do know that most colleges and flight schools will have numerous options to help with financing. When I went through flight school I saved prior to going and worked during barely squeaking by. Heck this helped me to prepare for the next 12 years of lower than expected earnings.

If flying is your passion then jump in and enjoy the ride.

chignutsak

You are insane to think that taking out loans is the only way to go. I guess it is too late now for you, but not for someone else who may be reading this. Remember, student loans NEVER go away. Not in bankruptcy, either. Think long and hard before taking out loans unless it is to get into a field that actually allows you to earn a living to pay it back! If I could do it all over again I would go military hopefully retire around age 40 with a nice pension, THEN pursue the airlines (or whatever) with a solid backup income. Marrying well wouldn't hurt, either.

CRMcaptain

Experience is the key word ... and this is exactly where the problem lays.

I do believe that all of you guys are honest and I know that you are trying to help. But I also talked to the UND grad that got out of the airline business and he is flying rich people a few times a month making pretty good money (no it is not UND propaganda ... he used to be my CFII), I also talked to the American Airlines pilot that absolutely loves his job and wouldn't change it for anything in the world and I also read Rick's post.

My point is that each and everyone of you are sharing your experience with me, it is YOUR experience ... it might happen to me, but it also might not.

Phantom Flyer

Perhaps the old adage "no one is so blind as he who will not see" is appropriate. I agree. There is some good advice on this forum from pilots who have been in this industry for well over two decades and in CRM's case, it's falling on deaf ears. No problem in that he'll learn...the hard way.

I also think his sign-on name and his attitude is a brilliant example of a contradiction and CRM, one doesn't end a sentence in a preposition. It gives a rather obvious indication of your lack of mastery of the English language....which is required to hold a position on this side of the Atlantic.

Best of luck Mate...you'll need it.

BHopper88

I got everything from PVT to CFII, I got my MEI later in Orlando at the flight school I worked at.

Really UND is a great school, great equipment, and teachers, plus you will make some good friends and connections. Plus you will learn what the meaning of COLD SOAK really is. Besides that, besides flying what other "loves" do you have that you might want to study? I mean for me personally I loved to draw and have a huge love in Geography and history and took many classes while at UND to come close to minoring in them (regret I didnt follow thru with them. Either way it helps making connections in fields not aviation, and you never know down the road it leads to something, such as a corporate gig.

One thing to remember is the aviation industry is a SMALL GROUP, you can make some great connections that can lead you to a job you never even expected.

Other ways to save money on your education become a ND resident, it drops the cost a lot. Also while you are going to UND look into all the scholarships and grants offered. Leave no stone unturned, there is money out there to help you pay for college that isnt a loan, you just have to find it.

I understand your drive, many of us can see your drive when we were starting and want to tell/explain the pitfalls and issues with our industry. Even if they might seem like attacks at times, some have truths to them and you wont understand them until later. Either way dont let anyone take your dream, if this is what you want to do make the most of it, make connections , and at times step away from aviation and have fun to things outside of the industry. Plus LIFE IS TOO SHORT...