Ewfflyer

Purdue you can get a second major in just about anything you want.

And as mentioned above, you're probably equal status as far as getting an "airline" job. BTW, there are other jobs out there besides airlines. I've been out 4 years, flown 3400+ hours since then, and haven't touched an airline.

atpwannabe

If I were you I would consider cost. This past weekend I dropped by Riddle to see the campus and inquire about cost; 160K for a non-flying degree. Simply outrageous!!!

Don't get me wrong, I support Riddle in what there're doing, but 160K for a non-flying degree....that's ridiculous.



atp

uvmflier

Purdue is a great school especially if you're looking for a Big 10 College experience (ie. football, baseketball games, cool chicks, big school feel). I was there as a Freshman but the cost of the AT program grew insane especially for an out of stater. Now just be prepared. It is in the midwest, flat, in the middle of cornfields.

I do know the AT program pushes you through real fast and you will also leave with some King Air time. Some select students get to fly a Beechjet as well. They may still have a full motion 727 sim? You'll have to check on that.

Now with that said the idea of waking up on the beach in Daytona is absolutely awesome. And as previously posted they are awesome in Engineering as well.

My best advice would be to visit both then decide. Everyone I knew in the AT program is either on an RJ or working ATC right now.

LifeNtheFstLne

Stories like these make me proud to call Riddle my alma mater. Ha ha ha.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/...tory?track=rss

Brendan

Alright miles, here's the story from a current Junior at Purdue:

My Senior year of high school, I was looking at ERAU, ASU, UND, San Jose State, and Purdue. I was accepted to all (which isn't saying much) and visited all but ERAU. Although at the time I saw Riddle as the "professional" flight school and the obvious choice, I still wanted to visit them all.

First was SJSU. One word: terrible. I think the flight program is shut down now. If not it should be.

Second was UND. I visited during the summer and it was one of the most beautiful days I had ever seen (mind you, this is coming from a born and bred San Diegan). However, when one of the students reminded me that there are days where Celsius and Fahrenheit are equal in the winter, UND was out (the San Diego thing again).

Third was ASU. I was visiting a friend and thought I would kill two birds with one stone. Unfortunately, ASU is like the breeding ground for Mesa pilots. There is an incestuous relationship there that I did NOT want any part of.

Fourth was Purdue. I visited during winter break of my Senior year. I arrived in West Lafayette on a cold, dreary morning in January. There had recently been an ice storm, and it was the coldest I had ever been. The admissions office said it was too cold to give a tour. Despite that, my Dad and I went for a little walk around campus. All the students looked miserable, but all I could think about was how awesome it would be to attend Purdue University. From that day on, Purdue was all I could ever think about. I knew it was the school for me. Not sure why, but it just fit right and felt comfortable. If you get that feeling, you know where your home is for the next four years.

I decided not to visit Riddle, mostly because I knew from the start that I wanted a "traditional" college experience. In reality, the flight training is nearly identical. I'll bet you no matter what school you choose, there will be someone else at the other school that can regurgitate day VFR instrument requirements just as well as you on their Private check ride. Point being that if you want to compare whose flight training is better, you just can't do it.

Here is what I can tell you about the "perks" offered by Purdue flight:
- 10 hours in the right seat of a King Air 200 (guaranteed)
- 2 semesters in a 727-100 full motion simulator (yes it's old, but it is a great learning experience)
- 2 semesters in a 727-200 full motion simulator (LOFT)

In addition to the above, Most other flight schools can't compete on the social aspect. Purdue has the third largest greek system in the country, Big Ten sports, Grand Prix every spring, and the magical *******show that is Breakfast club. Any alumni, please feel free to chime in here.

As mentioned earlier, there is the opportunity to fly right seat in the Beechjet 400A. Every year, the top 12 students with the highest GPAs (usually about a 3.75 GPA is the cutoff) at the end of their Junior year will be selected to try out for 10 slots to fly as co-captain in the Beechjet. Those 10 are sent to Wichita, KS to attend FlightSafety ground school and sim training for the Beechjet, all expenses paid by the University. You then receive anywhere from 30-50 hours in the right seat of the jet. This is hands down the best opportunity in college aviation.

Hopefully this answers a few questions about Purdue. Again, this is not supposed to be an unbiased or objective post by any means. I am solely sharing my experience to this point. With both schools, you will find all types of great alumni and opportunities abound. I only posted the things that separate us from others. I know ERAU and UND offer bridge programs with I think Spirit and Cape Air which is awesome too. Purdue has its ups and downs like any school, but I can honestly tell you I no doubt made the correct choice for me. This may be different for you.

Now, as far as a double major goes, I can give you one great piece of advice I received from a retired Air Force Colonel: "If you're smart enough to choose a second major, don't be stupid enough to have it be related to aviation." Take that for what it's worth.

Now, back to studying the archaic and illogical systems of the infamous 727-100. Man, we really need new sims!

Ewfflyer

That old 727 sim is better than you think. It's the base of all the systems you'll learn in the future. Has anyone looped the sim during the Upset Recovery lesson? Up until my crew was in it, Ned didn't think anyone else has. It wasn't bad, we only lost about 8000-10000' from start to finish!!!

BOYCAPTAIN

i got to FDX at 25...i got all my ratings outside of ERAU but got a business degree there....if money is not an issue get all of your ratings and certificates outside of the school and get the aviation education at the university....i attended all the alumni functions and career days and made many contacts in the industry...i flight instructed and flew charter my last 3 years at school in daytona and home in the summers...when i graduated i had 1500hrs and 500 multi and got a lear job...my classmates all had 200 hrs...my contacts helped me along the way...ERAU would be my choice based on my experience(cost aside) on alumni, job fairs, and career days alone....good luck!

Brendan

Was that in the -200? I just finished my first two semesters in the -100 (both with Ned) and we never got to do an upset recovery lesson.

By the way, This was Ned's last semester as a sim instructor at Purdue. What an awesome guy! He'll definitely be missed by those of us that had him as an instructor.

Swedish Blender

Let's be honest, the days of getting on anywhere when you're 25 are out unless you know where they dumped the body or have pictures.

You will get good contacts from either. That being said, probably 80-90% of my Purdue class are at majors. Doubt if ERAU can say that.

POPA

ERAU students are communists. True story.