Originally Posted by
Mr Hat
Hi guys,
I am a captain at a major airline now and haven’t had to try to navigate this new environment. My son is still in high school, earning his private.
Here’s the question:
I have two schools of thought going forward. 1. As soon as he graduates high school, go blow through ATP for 5 months (since he has a private already) and start working while doing one or two classes per semester online to work on his degree. 2. Go to Mercer county college aviation program for two years. Flight instruct after two years, work on the final classes he needs online to finish his 4 year degree.
what is everyone doing out there now? I don’t want him to miss this wave but I don’t want the degree to hold him up, though frankly, I’m not sure anyones going to need it. I know he needs hours.
Whats the opinion on order of operations right now?
thanks
The whole "no degree needed" now at the airlines is good, we don't need a degree to fly a plane. It was a way to weed out the stack of resumes.
If he wants a degree then encourage a degree in a field that is a fallback if a medical lost or a furlough happens. Think a CPA, IT, or the trades and start a business later after learning the trade. Something that allows work on those off days from flying. So many choices when it comes to college via online and it doesn't require that paper from E-RAU to open a door now.
You mention MCC and I assume that's the MCC in Trenton, NJ. Another way is go to college while in the Jersey Guard, air or ground, and let them pay for college. Do the weekend a month and two-weeks a year; which puts ya in good standing. This status allows one to attend any state school for free. ANY state school. The army side needs pilots. Go to AIT and work in flight ops, be around pilots and then apply to attend warrant officer flight training.
The AF side, go to tech school in aviation life support, work around pilots while attending college, apply for OTS and then apply for a flight slot.
Either way, units like to hire a person they know and have seen work. Having a guard slot, air or ground, is an excellent backup plan as an airline pilot.
I know people who used this program in Jersey and have layers of degrees for no cost in dollars, but time. one has a law degree, another a PhD, many under grads, another DPT...all at a no cost to the individual.
All the best and he's got a cool future.