skiracers

I have worked for a major airline for 36 years and have flown the industry through it's highs and lows, including 5 1/2 years of cumlative furloughs. My advice to a good number of FO's and Capt's who have had sons and daughter's interested in aviation as a career is to have a degree or an occupation in something unrelated to aviation. When the industry takes yet another downturn and you get DUIed,fired, layed off, furloughed, or quit in disgust (tired of those 4 hour standup layovers sleeping in a jetway) you must have a fall back or plan B, C & D. A degree in Engineering, Education, an Apprenticeship in IBEW, Pipefitters, or Carpenters union...... The Coglins and Mesas of the industry will treat you poorly at best. There are better under 10 seat Part 135 on demand jobs out there then what some commuters offer and you could build more PIC turbine hrs quickly flying boxs for Active Arrow or Koletta then pulling gear for some jerk in a Q400. Job security in this occupation, even with the majors, is a myth. So take your or your families hard earned $ and knock out your ratings at a Part 141 or Part 61 school, get back into college and finish your degree(s), pony up more $ for SIC training at Flight Safety and go out and live the dream/nightmare (your choice). That is what my 20 year old is doing right now. While attending Seattle Central CC, she got her Private at Wings Aloft on BFI. We're looking for a flight school for this Fall.ER had a accelerated Summer Program separate from the University. I would highly recommend their flight school at Prescott, AZ. Whatever you do, the quality, professionalism, and personalities of your instructors are important. A poor insructor or instructor student relationship could turn you away from aviation.

ebuhoner

1-Go to a Regular College to get your 2-year degree
2-Apply to ERAU and transfer all the classes you can.
3-Ask ERAU how many more classes can you take at your local school to also transfer them to ERAU.
4-After taking all the possible classes outside from ERAU, take classes at ERAU extended campus/worldwide online.
5-Finish Your Bachelor's. Go to a local flight school, and get all your ratings.

Result: You will have a 4-year degree from riddle, all your ratings, and you just paid 1/3 of what you were going to pay for going to daytona.
Recommendation: The other 2/3 that you just saved, use it when you start flying for the regionals so you can actually survive...

hope this helps!

Convairator

Great gouge skiracer. He is absolutley correct. DO NOT pursue any type of degree that has the word 'aviation' on it. There are 1 million ways to loose your job in aviation (something aviation professors never informed us of). Outside of aviation, your aviation degree is toilet paper with a picture frame around it.

The funny thing about my story, I always wanted to be a pilot or a teacher. I steered clear of the teaching route because I figured they didnt make enough money. With multiple years in this industry so far (since obtaining my useless 4 year aviation degree), I have not made even close to what a teacher makes (for a decent public school). Do not get an aviation degree! Sorry to be Debrah Downer but I would hardly say this industry is worth it.

Flying is cool. Living in a 2 bedroom crashpad with 10 guys is cool too! Getting paid 17,000 dollars by a regional is really cool. Getting furloughed is mega cool! Starting over at another company at the bottom is the coolest!

sukhoikid

this thread scares me. but I have heard it both ways. I am more looking into the corporate field. I have some connections thank god.

Convairator

I would highly discourage you from coming up through this industry right out of the gate and saying 'I'll be fine, I have connections'. I had connections too, but their entire corporate flight department was liquidated. My airline connections certainly dont have much pull as far as being 'connections'.

Not trying to disuade you from the career path. For some people, it can be fun and rewarding. I have seen some that were in the right place in the right time, and moved up the food chain very quickly. Such as a few 24 or 25 year olds that are now in 737's. It is possible, however, unlikely. Plan on paying your dues, and paying them for a long time.

And last of all, you must realize this. Over 50% of daily US departures are now regional airline flights. This number will grow to over 65% in the coming years as regional aircraft get larger. That means the majority entering the industry will never make it to a major airline because the market will be very bottom heavy.

sukhoikid

Luckily I gotta say I do have backups. I plan on having a minor in ATC, maintance, and business. I also have a chance of flying UAVs, being in the model aviation field for 15 years now.

C212135

Echo what has been said already, community college for 2 years and transfer to a 4 year.

I recommend Oklahoma State University, good aviation program, great M/F ratio, great sports teams, party atmosphere, and the price is reasonable...if your grades are good from HS ask about in-state tuition scholarships (pay the resident rate). Good luck!

sukhoikid

next summer I am def taking some of the BS classes we have to take at home. my gf did that this year and she got a semester ahead.

atpwannabe

I'm sure you have heard of the phrase, "It's who you know". I'm sure that in some industries they may not be advertising that they are hiring, but I'm almost certain that someone whose got an internal rec has probably landed a job somewhere.




atp

Top Bug

Employers don't just look at a pilots certificates, they look at your degree. An ERAU degree is very desirable to airlines