With my plan I should graduate with my associates at age 19 in aviation. From there, I will have 2 years to instruct the remaining 1000 hours or so (associates degree gets me 250 hrs off of 1500) by then I will be 21. I'll try to finish my degree while I instruct. If not, I will finish my degree while working at the regionals. By the time I graduate I plan on applying to ANG units around the country for a UPT slot.

Is there anything that you guys see wrong with this Plan? Does it sound realistic?

 

Start looking at ANG/Reserve unit’s for UPT assignments while a junior in college. It takes time to get the tests and physical completed. Then, package put together for the twice annual selection boards. Absolute pipeline to legacy. I sent about 20, most are now at legacies. Two in the first class Delta hired in 2014, now captains. They waited out stagnation getting thousands of hours of heavy jet, captain and instructor time.

You, nor I, have any idea what the regionals will look like in 5 years. They’re shrinking now.

I knew several “boy hires” at EAL in the eighties. They grew up near BOS, worked as baggage handlers, got hired with a wet commercial in Cessna 150s. When we closed they had no idea what to do. One was just lost, he had never done anything but go throw bags in a 727 or fly it in all three seats. He envied us with military or outside lives.

When I was your age, I was going to fly for Pan Am, layover in London and Paris, live in Greenwich, CT. PAA is gone and, with home prices north of a million, few pilots are living in Greenwich. Life is about living it, what you can contribute to others and family. Flying planes is a nice way to do it, but it ain’t everything.

GF

 

Would an online degree from a school like Embry riddle be sufficient for the ANG or are online degrees no good?

 

A degree is a degree, if I remember correctly. But, you’re missing out on a great four years by doing it online.

GF

 

There’s no other way I can think of doing it if I’m getting my associates in aviation. I believe I can only transfer to an online degree in aviation

 

Doesn't sound anyone can talk you out of anything... despite our decades of experience doing exactly what you are trying to do.
The hiring boom could last for 10 years, it could slow, it could end tomorrow. No one knows. There will likely be airline hiring for the next 15 years in some capacity. And there are TONS of other areas of aviation to explore.
A four-year degree from an actual campus is not only more valuable (generally, not always), but as GF alluded to, it's a heck of a lot more fun. You NEVER get those years back and they can and should be some of the best of your life. Find a school that fits. There are MANY aviation schools if your heart is set on that. (I'd guess well over 50% of Aviation degree recipients regret what they majored in for varying reasons).
It's great that you are motivated, no one will fault you that. Planning is great, too. Just recognize that even the best laid plans fall apart.; especially if they are so stringent and contingent on each piece working a specific way. I never in a million years would guess that this career has taken me where it has.
Get that First Class Medical.

 

The core classes would transfer. Many kids change their major, probably well over 50%.

 

Life’s what happens while you’re making plans.

Get a degree in something that interests you, is intellectually challenging and, last, might prove useful in life. College is about learning to think critically, about becoming a better citizen and person; not rote memorization of the FARs. I always wanted to fly, but my degree is in economics. I worked weekends and summers at the local airport, learning to fly and instruct. During college, I met an ANG pilot who helped me into pilot training. He and my college roommate are still friends, nearly 50 years later.

There’s time enough for flying.

GF

 

Thank you all for your replies. I will reconsider my plans

 

I don't think it's bad to have a plan of action, but don't hold on so tight that you don't have fun or end up being miserable because it didn't work out.

I was part of the 'lost decade' being stuck at the regionals for a long time, but my journey has been awesome. I'm older than hoped now at a legacy but I doubt I'd change much if given the opportunity.