Sky Angel

I like the way you think. The decision is still hard but it does make sense. Especially, now that I have a line...it makes it easier to know what days I could do flight training and like you said still keep my benefits and network. I actually have a captain and fo as roommates so that helps as well. Thanks for the advise.

tomgoodman

Here's a great example (from a recent press release):

"On Friday, October 24, during a special ceremony in the EAA AirVenture Museum's Eagle Hangar, seven special aviators were inducted into the EAA Sport Aviation Halls of Fame, including EAA Warbirds of America inductee Connie Bowlin.

Connie grew up on a tobacco farm in Kernersville, North Carolina. After graduating from Winston-Salem Business College in 1970, she began her flying career as a Delta Air Lines flight attendant. While working as a flight attendant, she obtained her private, commercial, and airline transport pilot certificates and her multiengine and instrument ratings. In March 1978 she became the fourth female pilot hired by Delta - one of the first 50 women pilots hired by a major carrier. Connie flew as a second officer on the Boeing 727, was a copilot on the DC-9 and the Boeing 767/757, and then moved up to captain on the DC-9 in 1990. She retired from Delta Air Lines in 2003 as a Boeing 767/757 captain."

N6724G

Most university programs are Bachelor degree progams

elfouquer

I'm a K-State Alum, and I find it very humorous how they are "recruiting" female pilots now. When I was there, we had about 10 females out of about 200 students in the program. I just visited the website last month to get some transcripts. I hadn't seen it in a couple years, and now it is hilarious because every picture of a pilot is a female. Maybe they figure if they can get more females to join the program, then the guys will follow.

Airhoss

Or, I'm afraid just like Veterinary medicine which was a completely male dominated field just 20 years ago. Aviation is becoming a secondary income style job.

Veterinarians are primarily female now partly due to the fact that the pay is so lousy most men don't consider it to be a viable career option, not one which they can raise and support a family on.

ufgatorpilot

This is a no-brainer in my opinion. Just keep doing your FA job, and fly part-time. And then you could start doing some training now rather than waiting until January.

OceanicPilot

Sky angel...first, welcome to the aviation bug! It's not a great time but when it's in your blood what can you do? Second, I've been flying for 21 years...13 in the airline business. I always encourage my fa's to pursue their ratings when interested so go for it! I totally agree with one of the previous posters however to get your 4 year in something besides aviation so you have a backup when it all goes south down the road again. That is the biggest thing I would change. I also agree that it would be much cheaper and wiser to keep your fa job and benefits and go to a reputable flight school in your area to do your ratings. Most entry level jobs at the regionals when you get to that point aren't going to care where you got your initial training or what your degree is in only that you have them. They will look more at your attitude, quality of flying since training (ie, instructing, etc. and how well you fit in to the culture. Your fa experience will be worth as much as any degree from Embry Riddle or any of the other aviation colleges IMHO. Good luck!

STILL GROUNDED

For what its worth, I think its a great time to get started. By the time you meet the requirements rating and experience things should be on the up swing. Currently you will be met with instructors that are not overloaded with students and you will get the time you need to understand what you are learning. I would go to a local FBO and get your training vs a pilot mill. Personal experience I've tried em both and one is no better than the other. Also don't get a degree in aviation! Everyone that I know that has one has regretted it. You may have the bug for life now but life lasts a long time. You may some day wish to get out of this business and unless you want to be a weather person no one is going to give two hoots about your understanding of the upper level atmosphere.

Here is the BIG thing. Under no circumstances give anyone your money!!!! Pay as you go, in this economy it would not be unlike a big or small school to go out of business after spending your money on account and leaving you with nothing. If a school wants a deposit I'd give them no more than $1000 up front.

Someone recommended keeping your FA job and flying when you can, in this market that's about the best advise you can get, there's no rush at this point. Might as well take your time and save a load of money.

Good Luck, don't listen to the nay-sayers if this is what you want to do you'll need to see for yourself if you like it. There seems to be a lot of get rich quickers on here that frankly I wish would get out of aviation if they can't afford or don't want to be here. Then at least they'd open a spot on the list for those of us that do.

dontsurf

which part is in the future? the female or the pilot? or both? that would really take a lot of money.

jsfBoat

Yeah Mercer is a GREAT school. Tangoindia & I are both graduates of the program, and I'll be a CFI there in a month or so. The guy who runs it knows his stuff, and hold the student's feet to the fire. The other professors are great, and it's inexpensive as well.