Originally Posted by
Slugger
Thanks for all the input. This kinda changed my view on the job. I thought that if you were at a regional for like 5 years, you'd be guaranteed a job at a major. I'm going to continue on to get my PPL before college, and I'm going to go to the UND camp this summer, probably for fun, because it doesn't look like I'll be going there anymore....
With that said, I still want to be a pilot, but I don't like the system of dumb luck that the airlines impose....Maybe my views will change by the time I want to go to college, but we'll see.
I doubt it would help, but my dad is friends with someone who flies 744's for UAL and my friend's uncle flies 763's for Continental. I still may go to talk to my dad's friend about his career and whether he likes it or not, but it looks like going all in (by going to UND for Aerospace Sciences) is just a dumb move right now with this economy.
Again, thanks for the help, and any suggestions would be appreciated.
Slugger:
I am 10 years older than you. But I started in a similar situation as you. I soloed at 16, got my license at 17, and worked my way up. I did it all through local freelance flight instructors and EVERY ONE of them told me above all else to major in something outside of aviation. I took their advice and I chose Accounting. I received the degree, and worked for just under 2 years in the field, mainly to stockpile money (I made 40k right out of school), and so that it wasn't just an empty degree. I wanted something else on the resume showing that I had worked in the field before I would take a shot at the airlines.
I decided to take a shot at the airlines and have done it for nearly two years now. As others have said, it is a cool job, but a lousy career. And honestly, the cool factor of the job only goes so far when you are hurdling away from your family at .8 the speed of sound.
However, with my impending lay off from my company, bleak outlook for the industry for the next many years, I have decided to go back to accounting. In fact, I am beginning school Jan 5th to get my CPA done. I count my blessings often that I was smart enough when I was younger to major in something else. So many pilots get fixated on this career choice and major in Airport Management or Aviation Business, along with all their flight training. The problem with these degrees is that they don't carry much weight outside of aviation. Many guys I fly with feel "stuck" right now. And I am feeling pretty darn good actually.
Just my $.02.
Check out my website listed in my signature and read some of my posts. I have sort of outlined my journey. I will always be an aviation teacher (I believe that this is where my passion really lies in this field). As such, I am available to you should you need guidance or have questions about airplanes, the industry, anything related to getting your PPL, etc. It would be my pleasure to be a contact to you should you want one. Contacts in this field are always a good thing.
Best of luck.