Should I stay, or should I go?
09-02-2009, 01:14 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Cessna 152 Captain
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Aviation employers do not care where you got your ratings. they care only about your flight experience (ie multi-engine turbine PIC). There are no "prestigious flight schools" with the possible exception of the US service academies. Certain "prestigious flight schools" are actually the laughing stock of the aviation industry, the butt of jokes and bad stereotypes.
The better jobs (even at the regional level) will require a 4-year degree, but it does not matter what your major is. However...I would not do an indulgent major like history, philosophy, etc. Aviation is your indulgence, you need to get a degree which will make you somewhat employable if you get furloughed, have medical problems, etc. Aviation degrees are not very useful in the real world...and they will not help you in aviation either for that matter.
Don't pay too much attention to anything flight schools tell you. You can easily tell when they are lying...their lips are moving.
You should have no problem building time as a CFI...but that is also economy dependent. Right now things are tough but that's because there is less recreational GA flying and many pilots looking for work. But that is not likely to be the case in three years.
I would usually throw out a number in the $35-45K range for all of your ratings at FBO's or small schools. The price of fuel may have impacted that some, but there is no way you need to spend $100K or even close to it.
You will still need a 4-year degree though, but that can be had on the cheap at a state school.
The better jobs (even at the regional level) will require a 4-year degree, but it does not matter what your major is. However...I would not do an indulgent major like history, philosophy, etc. Aviation is your indulgence, you need to get a degree which will make you somewhat employable if you get furloughed, have medical problems, etc. Aviation degrees are not very useful in the real world...and they will not help you in aviation either for that matter.
Don't pay too much attention to anything flight schools tell you. You can easily tell when they are lying...their lips are moving.
You should have no problem building time as a CFI...but that is also economy dependent. Right now things are tough but that's because there is less recreational GA flying and many pilots looking for work. But that is not likely to be the case in three years.
I would usually throw out a number in the $35-45K range for all of your ratings at FBO's or small schools. The price of fuel may have impacted that some, but there is no way you need to spend $100K or even close to it.
You will still need a 4-year degree though, but that can be had on the cheap at a state school.
09-02-2009, 02:06 PM
#12
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Cfi
I would not get your CFI unless the FBO promises you a job upon completion. The same goes for the IA and MEI. They are bargaining chips to get yourself a job with. During hard times the temptation is to get your CFI someplace cheaper then try and get an instructing job at the fancier big city FBO. However in my experience they hold out their jobs for graduates of their own program.
Skyhigh
Skyhigh
09-02-2009, 06:47 PM
#14
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: C172 Right
Posts: 64
Originally Posted by Blkflyer
Rick you really think that things are going to turn around in 3 years? call me crazy but I just saw a post for a job flying a Cirrus and they wanted 3000 total time Three Thousand Hours. I hope you are right tho
Also, with ATP, it sounds like a great idea, and the ME time is great, but I hear both great stories and horror stories about it. Plus, there's no ATP in Wisconsin and I'd like to stay in-state at least until I have that degree. Anyone have more feedback about their experience from it?
09-03-2009, 08:10 AM
#15
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,275
Originally Posted by Blkflyer
Rick you really think that things are going to turn around in 3 years? call me crazy but I just saw a post for a job flying a Cirrus and they wanted 3000 total time Three Thousand Hours. I hope you are right tho
The one wild card is oil prices...if that goes out of control, the airline industry is done.
Also the hard-core global warming crowd believes that airliners are one of the major causes...if they get their way we will all be shut down. They will come straight out and tell you...flying is an unnecessary luxury. Interstate travel will be tightly controlled, just like the old soviet union where you needed a pass to leave your city. Everyone should stay home and tend to their garden...
09-04-2009, 03:19 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2009
Position: CRJ 200 Furloughed FO
Posts: 100
There is absolutely no reason to spend 150 K on flight training, only to end up with a degree you can't use, and ratings you could have had for a third of that. As has already been stated, you don't need the degree to get a flying job, and an aviation degree is useless in any other field as well. Go to an FBO for the ratings. They'll hire you afterword as long as you're not dangerous. Get the degree at a state college. Do everything you can to stay away from student loans. They are the worst type of debt you can possibly acquire. They make credit card debt look like kid stuff. Research it online - it's true. You will NEVER get rid of 150K in student loan debt being a regional airline pilot. As far as where to go after the ratings, make wise choices, and talk to experienced people. Learn from their mistakes in the business. At the point you're at now, it's important to find a good (read: honest/ethical) school. Make sure you're not involved with people who want to take your money and leave you with nothing to show for it. The first school I went to cost me a lot of money because I didn't know enough to know I was getting ripped off. There's nothing wring with instructing to build time, but be sure you're not shortchanging your students. Would you want your current instructor worring more about his logbook than your flight training?
09-04-2009, 09:16 AM
#18
Self Employed.
Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
Age 65 thing
I would like to point out that the age 65 change will effect the job market for the duration. It is true that we have had to endure a 5 year hiatus while those 60 to 65 time out. However it is important to note that age 65 means that the average pilot has five additional years of work life ahead of them. As a result the airline industry needs fewer pilots since they can work longer.
By my calculations it is 13 to 20% fewer pilots. (Assuming that the average pilot is 35 at the time of hire at a major and can work until they are 65 versus 35 to age 60.)
No matter how you do the math it is a large and lasting change to future prospects.
Skyhigh
By my calculations it is 13 to 20% fewer pilots. (Assuming that the average pilot is 35 at the time of hire at a major and can work until they are 65 versus 35 to age 60.)
No matter how you do the math it is a large and lasting change to future prospects.
Skyhigh
Last edited by SkyHigh; 09-04-2009 at 09:29 AM.
09-04-2009, 06:00 PM
#19
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Joined APC: Mar 2009
Position: RJ FO
Posts: 39
Originally Posted by UP AND AWAY
How did it take you 90 hrs for your ppl? I went 141 major school, 34 hrs, check ride passed. It's called mental discipline.
09-04-2009, 06:58 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Cessna 152 Captain
Posts: 695
Originally Posted by UP AND AWAY
How did it take you 90 hrs for your ppl? I went 141 major school, 34 hrs, check ride passed. It's called mental discipline.
Some people are NOT SUPER PILOT GURUs like yourself
Do you ever stop to think some people may have other things in Life other than flying, what if their was a family or personal medical emergency what if the price of rice in china went up what if , what if. My point is if you get it is CHANGE that ATTITUDE stop ASSUMING the poster dont have mental dicipline you dont know what kinda lemons the other person have
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