Originally Posted by rickair7777

A real 4 year degree is a great idea, highly recomended (you WILL need it for any major airline). While you're at, if you have time, get your private, instrument, and commercial multi-engine ratings at a local FBO. Than after school, you go to farmington and do their PACE program. This requires you to show up with a COMM/Multi, but only takes 4-5 months usually, and costs a lot less. The end result is the same...an interview at Mesa w/ a high probability of success.

Big advantage to the PACE over the two year program: let's say you're 1-1/2 years into the full program, and Mesa loses it's contract with United...mass layoffs, NO job for you in sight. (this happened a few years ago) If you had done the PACE program, you would have a much better idea of the state of the industry and the state of Mesa on your expected graduation date. If you had aqcuired your ratings along the way in college, and something happens to Mesa, you can just go get a CFI and go that route. A lot can happen in 2 years...