Originally Posted by
250 or point 65
I understand that the industry has changed and everyone makes the case for not going to a university to study aviation because:
1) Its always nice to have a backup plan
2) Getting your ratings at local podunk airport gives you the same slip of paper
However, what ever happened to pilots being professionals? I studied aviation at a university and I KNOW I am a better pilot (in knowledge, skill, and experience) than I would have been just doing the bare minimum.
No one is saying that you can't double major!
What do you guys think?
I agree. Everyone says "Major in something that interests you unless it's Aviation." So you should spend 4 years studying something you don't intend to use? There are so many crap majors, Aviation isn't one of them. Plenty of non-pilot jobs around in Aviation, even a few that REQUIRE an Aviation degree (Airport Ops/Manager). Pretty much any entry-level management job will hire someone with an Aviation Degree...and if you had to go back, you can get another Degree in 1.5 years. I'd say 2/3 of my friends from college are in careers that aren't directly related to their major. While 2/3 of my Aviation Department buddies are gainfully employed in Aviation, even now (Pilots, Dispatchers, ATC, Jeppesen Dataplan, NASA, Military, etc...).
This attitude is what's killing some great University flying programs.