The redundancies of advice
 

UND (sorry for the redundancy) -- My plan

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Hi. I currently am a Senior in High school studying in Istanbul, Turkey. As with many others my age, I dream of flying. However, these times are rough and with many airlines faltering, I have begun to realize the challenges of trying to become an airline pilot, or even making a living in the trade for that matter. However, I am just taking my SATs now, and will not be able to apply to any University until after may, so I may end up sticking out at a local community college for a year and get my core credits out of the way. Yet, I would just as soon take these classes at UND because of the rather inexpensive tuition, plus you can gain residency in 6 months or so I've heard. I am really just trying to get my thoughts together.

I figure these are my options:

1.) Major in Computer Science, with an emphasis on Commercial Aviation at UND. Hopefully I will save up money throughout college, and once out work save enough money to complete my training.

2.) Major in Commercial Aviation, and Minor in Computer Science

3.) Major in Commercial Aviation, and then remain a CFI for a couple of years until I get on my feet

3.) AF ROTC--Through UND

Any opinions are greatly appreciated

Choices
 

Just know that aviation is not guaranteed through ROTC. You must accept your commission as an officer before you are given an aviation spot. Then you still have the chance of being a WSO and not a pilot. The military way is a good route because you don't have to pay for your ratings. On the other hand, it is not for everyone. If you choose the military route, I recommend going the Officer Candidate School route(Navy and Marines) or OTS(Air Force). They can guarantee your position before you even go. Look at all of your options before you make a decision though.

Thanks for the info bud

If you are interested enough in computers to major in that, I'd say that's a better choice.

ROTC (w/ scholarship) is a good deal, but a pilot slot is not guaranteed, and if you get stuck in helos, that will hamper your airline prospects.

Avoid ANY aviation "major" unless it is a bona-fide engineering degree.

If you want an airline career (I assume that's why you're on this board), get a real major, CFI, get a regional job, THEN find a fixed-wing ANG unit and sign up...while you do two years of military training, your airline seniority accrues in your absence. When you return, you upgrade to captain, and in a matter of months you can apply to a Major...with both the military and 121 tickets punched. Hard to go wrong.

That sounds like a nice plan, I'd love to get an ANG pilot slot. You have any idea what it takes? Say a guy joined up with the ANG but didn't get a pilot slot, would your plan still hold true?

As a side note, I don't believe the afrotc (at least at UND) will pay for any of your flight costs.

^ The AF in general (including the ANG) is currently hurting for pilots. Whether that's fighter/tanker/AMC - it's hard to say. Take's quite a bit to make it to the head of the pack as an F-15 driver for instance.

Thats fine, at 6'4" I doubt they would let me have a fighter slot; I have nothing against the heavies. So what does it take to get an ANG pilot slot?

^^ AT 6' 4" you would still have a shot at fighters, it is you sitting height that will make or break you. I am also curious about the ANG, do you have a better shot at getting a pilot slot lets say if you do all your training through MEI or do you have a good shot trying to get in to the ANG with no previous/limited flight experience?

Non-Academy/ROTC folks who apply for military pilot slots always are at a significant advantage if they have prior flight experince and ratings...the more the better, especially CFI. CFI shows you have somer inter-personal and leadership skills, and have mastered some of the more technical aspects of aviation.