de727ups

"Despite what the ER recruiters may tell you..."

I'd add high school guidance counselors. I mean, they see the nice brochure, cool website, and prolly figure that's the best advice to give some kid who wants to be a pilot when he grows up.

d22block

But through a school can't you do an internship at an airport or with an airline in the summer? Which will then let you get to know people which they say is very helpful in the airline industry.

I was also thinking if the pilot thing didn't work out for any reason, minor in airport management so I can become an ATC.

Any thoughts on both of these?

Brendan

Do a search on this website for "aviation degree." Look at all the advice there.

If you still decide to major in something related to "aviation science" or "professional flight," well, you obviously don't want to listen to us anyways.

CaptainCarl

In all seriousness d22block, let me reiterate rickair7777: NON-AVIATION DEGREE.

Plus, the FAA only takes people from their CTI program (until just recently, they opened the window for one week for guys off the street and I know a lot of pilots who threw their stuff at 'em in hopes of getting a stable job with a guaranteed government retirement, me being one of those pilots). The CTI program is basically 23 schools around the country who charge you a boat-load of money to learn how to be an air traffic controller and get a two- or four-year degree at the same time. But at least you will be able to pay off your debt in less than 10 years if you take the ATC route.

Anyways, point is: NON-AVIATION DEGREE. I would recommend Underwater Basket Weaving

FlyArmy

Dude. Party like a rockstar in college. I blew my college experience doing problem sets and marching around in funny uniforms and going to class. I've talked to many a airline and military pilot who actually had fun in college. I've also talked to a few people who went to ERAU and couldn't party like a rockstar because of the surplus of male pilot types at the parties and lack of female counterparts (and no money with which to party except negative money which doesn't spend well). And as for the major, take a survey of military pilots and civilian pilots and see how many majored in aviation. Show me one job that requires a degree related to aviation. Engineering, finance, econ, English, Arabic, Chinese, history, math, science...all examples of majors with more use than an aviation degree. All of which also are A OKAY with airlines. Problem is if you are a finance major you may realize how crappy being a pilot is financially. If you are an English, Arabic, Chinese, history, math, or science major, you may decide that if you are a teacher you will make more and can't be furloughed nearly as easily and end up with more time off. So, maybe majoring in Aviation is a good idea afterall. I hear they give out lots of free Kool-Aid in the aviation majors at fantastic pilot Prep Schools such as ERAU as well...even more of a bonus...

CaptainCarl

Kooooool-Aaaaaaid! Kooooool-Aaaaaaid!

YouTube - Kool-aid man(Family guy)

d22block

But the ATC industry is going to be hiring thousands of controllers soon--so how is that not a good plan to fall back on?

also by the time i graduate the economy should be good so should airlines be hiring again?

F16Driver

Get a pharmaceutical degree and BUY your own airplane. I have an aviation degree, don't get one.

Pilotpip

ATC isn't an industry. Take some time to talk to them about how their pay and work rules have degraded and why they're having so much trouble staffing towers and enroute facilities.

Don't go to a school because it's one dimensional. College isn't about a degree, or studying to do something the rest of your life. It's about learning how to live and interact with people. Being able to talk about something other than airplanes is a huge plus if you're trying to make new friends.

Zayghami

lol is this a joke?