I will echo those who suggest getting education/training that is outside of aviation. There are so many of us (myself included) who are trapped in the cockpit because, unless we are flying airliners, we are nothing more than unskilled workers. We can't leave airline X for airline Y because, unlike other professionals, we can't take our experience and qualifications and command a reasonable salary. We would go to the bottom of the list, first year pay, weekend reserve.

Beyond that, I would make sure he understands that he should only get into aviation because he loves to fly. The opportunity still exists to make quite a bit of money, and the prospects for hiring and success in the industry are finally beginning to look up, but the days of the Pan Am Clippers, three weeks off a month and paying cash for a new Corvette every year are long gone.

 

The last three pages are absolute gold.

 

DANG! I'm sure sorry you feel that way - because I'm a pilot who has never flown an airliner and I sure don't feel like, nor am I treated like, unskilled labor.

To the OP, the other thing to remember is that there are other avenues to the professional pilot world that DON'T involve the airlines. MANY people get stuck in their head that there is only one path to a successful aviation career. No matter which path your child chooses to venture down should they decide to give this profession a try, it is best to not have blinders on as many opportunities exist in the industry for those who are ready to grasp a gem once found.

 

From recent experience, I would recommend him starting at a 2yr college (in state to save the most $$$) and then moving on to the university for the bachelors. During the years at the jr college, work, save money, make connections at the local airport, and progress towards flight licenses! I made the mistake of going out of state for 2 years to a university with a flight program. On the plus side, I came out with my commercial pilots license. On the bad side, I put myself in major debt and am still in school working on my associates now. Whatever his decision may be, make sure you guys schedule visits and do major research on the school you do choose to attend. Good luck!

 

Thank you all for the information.
He started his private about a month ago at a local airport and absolutely loves it.
Thank you for all the input about the colleges. I had no idea it didn't matter what your degree is in.
It sounds like the best bet is to finish his Private, get instrument and then commercial between now and finishing his first 2 years of College. The local airport said they would hire him for sightseeing tours once he gets his commercial so he can get hours. The best part is the local JC is about 1/2 mile from the airport.

 

What I was getting at was that many of us don't have formal training outside of aviation that would help us gain employment. I definitely don't feel like unskilled labor in the cockpit. And all pilots who make their living in airplanes, not just airline guys.

 

Heartstart,

I was your son, my Dad was you, 45 years ago. He had washed out of AAC pilot training in WW II and was encouraging of my interest in being a pilot. His trade was, you get a college degree (like most vets on the GI Bill, a degree was immensely valued) and I'll help you learn to fly. He financed my PPL in HS and I went thru college at a local state college for a B.S. in Business.

As luck would have it, I met a great mentor who assisted me into an ANG UPT slot. Great stuff--airlines was my future, guaranteed. Well, several fuel crisises and life got in the way. I was hired by Eastern 5 years before they folded up in 1989, I don't consider it alive after that date. While there, I was in a mid-air collision, survived via the ejection seat but suffered a back injury. Prior to the ADA, airline physicals disqualified me--when EA folded I heard not a word from airline that were hiring. I spent 18 years at a Reserve unit as a full-timer, eventually becoming a Colonel (OG/CC, to be exact) and retired. I am now the Chief Pilot at a pretty decent corporate dep't.

The point of all this is, neither you, nor your son can predict the future; being an airline, however good, can't be predicted. Give him the tools to be all he can be (sorry, Army), education, some flight time and some common sense and discipline--the future will work itself out. I didn't have the career I planned or wanted, but I'm proud of the one I had and enjoy everyday, in the office or in a jet watching the sunrise over the ocean. What more can you hope for?

GF

 

I went to a 4-yr aviation university and got a bachelors of science in aviation. IMO I would Major in something else he enjoys. Safety and health management. Engineering. Geography. Geology. Something else. And do ALLATPs flight curriculum. I did my ATP w them. If I went back to do it over, that's what "I" would do. Skip Embry riddle and UND and those "type" of schools. Stay in-state for more affordable schooling and do ATPS. Embry and UND are way way way over rated and so expensive. Stay away!

I also second Flying Ninja's comment. Post #3.

 

I've heard this before from the likes of SkyHIgh - that pilots have no skills outside of the cockpit.I'm not sure who sold you that bill of goods - but I say BUNK!

Just look at the tenets of CRM and tell me that you can't spin those to match any aspects that an employer would want in a individual - especially some lower/middle management job as an example.
To me - this is as crazy as someone in the military coming out and saying 'all the Army taught me was to drive a tank and that doesn't help me in the civilian world'. In that case - if that is ALL you got out the Army's training - then you don't understand the skills you learned.

 

I did Army ROTC but, he can go from civilian high school to military flight school with no college degree required through the US Army's Warrant Officer Flight Training Program (WOFT) & be either active duty, guard or reserve. Have him check out this video on YouTube that explains the process. Good luck!

WOFT - YouTube