Recently I have encountered some college students who are studying aviation and it never fails to surprise me that few seem to know about this place. For all that the modern computer age offers it seems that those who are in training to enter the profession prefer to remain in the dark regarding the realities of the career.

Even knowledge of the basics like the seniority system is new material to them. It almost seems like they would prefer to remain in the bubble of their own fantasy until it is too late to change. Others it seems are aware of the futility of their major but do not hold any real plans of pursuing it anyway.

If mom and dad are picking up the tab for a four year post high school retirement then you might as well do what is the most fun I guess. One guy told me that most in the program know that the majority of aviation graduates are going on after graduation on to work in the family furniture store or on some other non-aviation career like Barista but they don't seem to care.

I imagine that when the first student loan bill comes they will.

Skyhigh

 

This is pretty spot on analysis of most college students in the aviation programs. Most that I encounter on our main campus just brag to their non-aviation familiar friends about how they "fly planes" for their classes, and have no real idea (other than the jaded idea implanted by the aviation department) of what the aviation industry is all about. That being said I did know a few people, myself included, who did do substantial research before starting. Of the 4 that I knew that did that, 3 dropped the program after the first year, and the other transferred schools.
I guess they all decided the risk-vs-reward wasn't worth it, and got out early.
It's funny, even if you read all about what is wrong with the aviation industry on here before you start your training, for some reason you tend to blow it off and major in aviation anyways.

Just my experiences though...could be different at other schools...

 

Interesting... You're exactly right though. It's like a huge compilation of information isn't talked about because it might upset someone. Strictly taboo. For that reason I'm grateful for all the information APC has to offer.

 

I avoided APC in college because of the negativity of this place. In my aviation career I've encountered both good and bad aspects. People on APC focus solely on the bad and it gets depressing and annoying fast.

I've definitely experienced more good in this career than bad myself. I don't regret getting into aviation at all. 90% of the people on these forums hate the career and should just quit, but instead they choose to come here and complain about it. I didn't want to pay attention to all the BS on here in college.

 

What's wrong, SkyHigh? Have you not gotten enough satisfaction spreading your message on APC, so now you're roaming college campuses in a quest to "inform" the ignorant masses?






.

 

I did not find out about APC until I was leaving the Air Force. I too do not care for all the negativity that is on this forum. Most of the post I read I take with a grain of salt. I guess I am in the minority because I still love flying; probably more to day than when I started 20 years ago.

BTW I stared as an Aero Scout Observer in OH-58s (for you all older Army pilots that remember AOs), then I paid for all my fixed wing ratings thru m MEI. Flight instructed, traffic watch, flew skydivers, etc..... What ever I could do to put an hour in my logbook. When I was ready for the commuters you has to paid for your training ($7500/Be1900, $10000/ATR-47 to 72) and you had to have 1200hrs before they would look at you at all, not like it has been lately at 250 hr commercial with wet ink. When it came time for me to go to the commuters the military was looking for pilots because they RIF'ed to many in the early 90's. My dream had always been to be a military pilot. So I took a gamble to wait on the commuters and apply to the AF; which worked out for me. I now fly B767 for a non-sched airline and I am still in the reserves.

My aviation career has not always been a bowl full of cherries, but I still to this day love flying. I know that the airlines do not have the glory of the 50s/60's and 70s but its still better than working for a living. I know there are a lot of crapy thinks that have happened to a lot of fine individuals because of the decisions made by some CEOs and the economy. A lot of people came to the career path because of the income potential and time off. Which I feels is the wrong answer. As we all know there are a lot of thinks we give up to fly. Aviation has no holidays, no anniversary, no birthdays, no weekends, etc..... We miss a lot thinks. If you are miserable about all the hurtles we have to jump thru to fly you will be miserable no matter how much money you make in this career. The passion of flying is long gone for a lot of pilots.

IMHO if someone wants to enter this career path and knows about both the ups and downs more power to them.

A wise man once told me "That if you fined something you love to do you never work a day in your life"

thats my .02 cents worth.