Hello to All Pilots!,

 

You're not doing anything wrong, other than that a degree in aviation is not worth much. A degree in something you can fall back on would be better, but, I must admit, I had nothing when I was 17.

Doing the CFI gig and experiencing a wide variety of what aviation has to offer will give you something the academy "get there now" crowd is gonna miss out on.

If you want to work at UPS, you'd best get tight with a UPS pilot and see what worked for them and see what's working these days. It's a very tight market. You might be well served to expand your expectations as the golden child of today might not be worth giving it all up for in ten years. Could be NWA or United or SWA would be a better shot for you.

It's more about you getting qualified and then going to whoever pays attention. The two that I wanted to work for never gave me a shot but I'll say it was a smart move for me to look beyond that.

 

I'd agree with de in that the aviation degree may not always be the smartest road. Take that from someone who is fighting like hell to keep her medical after a long batter with several medical conditions. Never expected this stuff to happen...no one ever does. Unfortunately, I may lose my battle with the FAA...only time with tell. However, I do have a degree in medicine to fall back on. I never understood all these years why pilots told me to have that fall back degree on...when your young, your invincible. I'm glad I listened.

Other than that...just do what you plan on doing. Flying through an FBO is often a cheaper way to go. There's quite a few threads on the flight training/schools sections regarding FBO v. this/that school...might be wise to read through and see what fits your needs best.

If you get an opportunity take it...even if it's backseat. You will always be learning new things...even after many years of flying. That's part of what makes it so fun and exciting. Once a student, always a student. I will never pass up the chance to learn something new...whether fact, or technique. Aviation has a lot of egos and some turn down the chance to learn...don't be that pilot.

But, do have a lot of fun...study all you can...and most of all fly safe.

 

Good plan, I agree that a non-aviation degree would be best. An aero-engineering degree would be great if you can swing it.

Don't forget to get your MEI...multi-engine time is often the flight-experience bottleneck that holds people back from entry-level airline jobs.

In order to get a job at UPS, FEDEX, or any other major airline you will need specific commercial flying experience, not just any commercial job will do. Regional airlines are normally the best place to get this experience although fractionals or 135 charter can also do the trick.

Also seriously consider joing the Air National Guard after college...this will allow you to pursue regional flying while also getting the military ticket punched. Military-experienced pilots always get top preference at major airlines. If you can get into a fighter unit, that will take care of your aerobatic addiction too

 

Go for it. And build some relationships with pilots either through family (if you're from an aviation-background) or through school/local airport/FBO.

P.S. I would politely request that you use consistent capitalization. It was slightly distracting.

 

Also plan on knocking out your cfi at local fbo near the college you attend right off the bat. Its cheaper and quicker than doing all that over the course of four years. If you play your cards right you could be a cfi by the time you're a sophomore. You can then instruct as a college job rather than as a graduate. Its also a lot of fun, I wound up giving aerobatic instruction and flying a C310 and a malibu mirage for a medical group in addition to the cfi job. Also flew a bunch in mexico and central america. Thats the route I went and was hired at a regional flying a jet 2 months before I graduated. Went to training a week after graduation. Don't bother with an aviation degree, its not gonna get you closer to your goal. Also don't forget about all the fun stuff to do at college. College is the best time of your life, do normal fun stuff like join a frat, hook up with lots of sorority girls and party like theres no tomorrow!

 

So i'm on the right track i just need to fix some minor choices here and there?. This is what i have gotten soo far from your help.

Instead of getting the Major in aviation i should get my majors in somthing else but still has to relate with avitaion like An aero-engineering degree.

After getting cfi, i should become a flight instructor in college to help my flying experience as well as having a job at the same time.

Get my multi-engine certification in college.

After college join the Air National Guard to help with my regional airline experience as well as getting benifits from the government.

I have a quick question about the air national guard, Do they have a strict eye exam like the army does (if you have a certain prescription you cant fly) because i wear glasses and contacts and my prescriptions -5.75 because i originally wanted to become a Army Helicopter Pilot but i knew that you needed close to perfect eyes to get in and thats when i decided to go into commercial aviation.

I thank you all So VERY MUCH for takeing your time to read and reply to this!, i really do appreciate this very much.

 

Make sure the ANG is what you really want though. It's way more involved post 9/11 than it was prior to. It's a huge commitment. Don't join just to boost your chances at flying an airliner. It's not worth it if that's the case, and you'll be unhappy with it...seen a lot of people join and end up unhappy. If your okay with the commitment by all means, go for it.

 

Fedex prefers glass cockpit time, turbine time, 121 experience, and that 4 year degree your gonna get. Don't forget your ATP!

 

I thought they preferred mil time?