Getting a MS in Aviation
 

I am about to graduate from college with a BS in Aviation Science. I have my CFI, CFII and MEI (Also have a my AGI and IGI) and I am 19. Since I have to wait until I am 23 to get my ATP... Would it be wise to take these next few years to get a Masters Degree or find a Corporate gig?

Here are my main questions...

Pros/Cons of an Aviation Masters degree?

Will it increase my pay if I go to the Airlines as a FO with a Masters?

Will it make me stand out more to a company when I apply for a job with a MSA or will they only consider flight hours?

Get those hours. A masters in some aviation degree and $2.50 will get you a cup of coffee IMHO.

no pay increases if you have a masters. no one on the entry level jobs cares and you will not be qualified for anything but entry level positions.

Perhaps later on in life the masters may help if you wish to go into a mgt position

Get it on your time off while working

If you get a masters degree, get an MBA or other useful real degree, a masters in aviation is a waste.

Have you considered the Gaurd/USAFR? I'm not sure what the minimum age is to commission, I've never met anyone with a four year college degree at age 19. You could commission, knock out UPT and season all up to your 23rd birthday. Then jump into a regional job, maybe even a major.

Yeah, I get that very often when I tell people I am 19 with a BS degree, I have thought about joining the USCG or the another branch of the military but they are always so shady about flight slots. I would hate to join and then not get to fly, I think I would prefer to stay in the civilian world. I work full time as an instructor. I suspect I will have surpassed the ATP Minimums by at least 800-1000 hours once I turn 23.

So here's a thought. 23 years old with 2,500 flight hours. What would be my best bet? Airlines or stick with corporate?

Depends on what path you want to follow. Look up the pros and cons of both and decide for yourself.

Quickest path to a Major airline is to go Guard/Reserves, accumulate 750hrs total time, get your restricted ATP, and then go to work for a Regional and continue to fly at your Guard/Reserve job until a Major calls.

That allows you to check both the military and 121 box and vastly reduces the amount of hours you need to get a call.

And don't ever go to a recruiter. Go directly to the unit you are interested in and find out from them how to apply. You are applying for a pilot slot. If you don't get it you don't go in. Nothing "shady" about that. Recruiters, however can be shady.

Wow nice work!

Fwiw I'm 24 and have 3800 TT and fly the 767. I am finishing up my bachelors of aeronautical science online in the next year and a bit. I plan to get an MBA as a backup in the next 5-10 year as aviation degrees aren't particularly useful for anything but getting hired.

My suggestion is to get out into the workforce now. I started flying part 121/135 (albeit in canada) at 19. If I were you I'd forget the MS and gun for experience. If you want a masters do it in something that will give you an out if you ever lose your medical years down the road. Get that flight time ASAP. You can start working for a regional at 21 if you have a restricted ATP. The sooner you're in the better!

Yes, exactly. If you go about it correctly you pretty much are guaranteed to fly (assuming they hire you). At your age, you could have two epic careers...be King Kong.