Someone with your level of initiative would do quite well in the military. For most folks the ten year commitment simply replaces ten years of civilian dues paying in crappy, potentially dangerous, low-paying jobs...and the military compensation is a LOT better (pay and benefits).

If you go active-duty, once you get out the guard/reserves provide additional income and a fallback job in case of furlough.

Actually active duty is best for someone whose primary goal is to be a military officer. This is the best gem of wisdom for someone in your position: If flying is your priority, your best plan would be to finish college, get a job at a regional airline, and the join the guard/reserves. Due to federal laws protecting service members your seniority at the airline would continue to accrue while you complete 2+ years of initial training. You would return to the airline at a higher seniority, likely able to bid captain and could build quality time in both the airlines and the guard. Before age thirty you would have 121 PIC and military wings...you would be then be a prime candidate for the best airline jobs available.

Of course don't join the military unless you have a true desire to serve and excel.

 

the question to be asked, "What is your goal once you have accumalated certs, degree, hours?"

 

I would like to fly corporate, but I would not mind the airlines if I could get seniority. I would also like to do some alaska or bush flying. I also really enjoy teaching, I have flown for Young Eagles, and really enjoyed teaching those kids what I could. I want to get as much experiance in every type of flying I can (I forgot to mention that I also have a glider license). Thanks for the advice so far from everyone

 

Getting seniority takes time, and a lot of it has to do with growth, resignations (regionals) and retirements (majors). If you end up at a major with a lot of old guys, you could move up faster. Maybe.

 

flyman, you're way ahead of the curve, don't waste your time at an aviaiton university. Go to state school and major in something non aviation, a lot of state schools offer aviation minors. Also you can double major in aviation if that is really important to you. they usually have CFI positions for their own overpriced aviation programs, and offer tuition assistance for employees. There are usually multiple flight schools in the vicinity of large aviation programs too. By the time you finish your degree hiring will probably be in full swing again. I went to ERAU, got a decent eduacation, paid a little more than a state school w/ my scholarships, got an airline job as soon as i graduated, and even have a minor in ATC as a backup....I still wouldn't do it again. as for tuition assistance at ERAU, it is is only offered to full time instructors, only covers 6 credit hours/ semester(2 classes a semester) and you are not allowed to enroll in more than that. So it will be free, but it'll take 10yrs to finish! feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

 

First: Thanks for all the input on this thread so far.
What I have taken away from it so far is that I should major in something other than aviation, which I would definitely do. I would probably major in Business management, or engineering.

How about getting an A&P?
I love mechanics, and currently work at a snow blower/lawnmower repair shop. Would it be worth it to take 14 months off from school and flight instruct while getting my A&P? Even if I don't work as a mechanic the stuff I learn would be invaluable, but I definitely see myself someday doing some mechanic work or building a plane someday, and an A&P would be a good backup in case i get furloughed or something. It might open up some corporate flying jobs along the way too?
Any input is appreciated!!

 

1. Like another poster mentioned, go to a real college with a good reputation, not an aviation school.

2. Major in a technical degree (anything engineering). DO NOT get an aviation science or aviation business degree. Pick somethign that in case you lose your medical one day, trust me it happens a lot, you can quickly recover and still have a good high paying career.

3. Go to your local Guard unit. The Guard will pay for college. Amazing. Check out your local Reserves. Many of these units hire newbies just like you. And with your experience in aviation, you have a definite edge in getting in. Bonus: no active duty bullcrap and no long commitments.

4. if you are lucky like the young KC-10 guys I know, you'll be flying for the likes of UPS, FedEx, SWA, DAL, or CAL in a few years.

Bottomline: the reserve and guard are the best things going.

-Fatty

 

I think the A&P is a great idea and very useful to have, there most definately will be a shortage of qualified mechanics out there in the future.
Bad part of that is the wages, low to start with not much room for improvement.
I would also seriously look into avionics as an option, there are fewer avionics shops around these days and the ones out there are usually backed up with work and charge a fortune.
An A&P would open doors for you with the likes of Dynamic aviation who are looking for A&P/pilots.
Good luck.

 

Someone already covered what I was going to say .
Good luck to ya !
FRED

 

Just remember that there is two sides of the coin to getting an A&P... as someone else mentioned you are def known as the mechanic who happens to fly as well... the guy every one complains to over really dumb stuff... you watch people lets say.. burn out a starter because they don't really understand how it works.... and you are the guy who stops flying and fixes it because no one else can...
I have a good friend who is an A&P IA and is a pilot (this ^ stuff happens a lot to) and he is a great pilot and has a whole lot of knowledge about the way things work...which really comes in handy for him... great guy... so that's a tough call...
of course if you got a technical degree in AE or something like that.. you could benefit as well