Hi There--

I'm currently a student pursuing a bachelors in business administration at an aviation university. I am also pursuing my flight ratings and will graduate with my commercial multi. I may or may not go for my MBA from the same institution directly after graduation, continuing to fly during that time. My goal is to go far in airline management (route planning/network capacity positions seem like a great starting point), but there's one problem--I have a burning desire to fly.

My question: Is there a way to be in management but be able to fly trips for the airline too in my "spare time" (weekends)? If so, is the best way to do this to start as a pilot for the airline and then apply for a management position, or get established in management and then somehow wiggle my way into flight operations on a special part-time basis?

Since I would be interested in going into management at a major airline, it would seem almost impossible to get into flying at a major airline with the big equipment without a substantial amount of flight time already accrued, and it seems like the only way to make that happen is by flying first.

I'll expand on my question as I get some answers, but any insight?

Thanks; I appreciate any help!