Originally Posted by
rickair7777
Iwould assume that any airline will require 1500 hours in three years or so since congress is making it a requirement that FO's have ATP's.
Probably safe to assume that you will have to work as a CFI to build hours.
The industry will probably rebound after 2012, but then again it may be on a permanent decline. Oil prices and/or rampant environmentalism could spell the end of the airline industry as we know it.
For these reasons an aviation major is the worst possible idea. Go to a state school and get a degree in something useful. Learn to fly at your local FBO while going to school, and if the industry looks good in a few years have a go at it. But make sure you have a fallback position...your generation has more things to worry about than those of us who came before as far as career stability.
One step at a time Brett -
I completely agree with rickair on your major. The airline industry is so unstable, and has been for many years, along with the possibility of something grounding you from flying (medically) that it is only wise to obtain an education in something OTHER than aviation. The airlines really don't care what your degree is in, just that you have one. So pick something that you could turn into a 2nd career if you had to. Focus on completing your degree - with good grades - and then focus on acquiring the necessary hours to obtain a flying position.
Believe it or not, time is really on your side. Nobody really knows what this industry will look like in a few years and by the time you're ready for a flying job you just may be extremely competitive.