jmathews_05

Well ever since I can remember I have wanted to be a Pilot for a major airline or just to fly planes for a living. Just recently Has it really hit home that my time is running out and I need to sct on it now. I don't have any idea of where the industry is going and how many pilots they will be hiring in the next 10, 15, or even 20 years but I do know that my time is NOW. Right now I am currently working at a company named Smith International. I am working to pay off my debts and try to establish something early in my life since I am only 19. I don't have any college credit hours but know that you have to have a Bachelors degree to be hired for an airline company. I am leaning towards a BS in Computer Science or a BA in Graphic Design. I just recently found out that my company will re-emburse me for any college classes I take an pass. With my work schedule i will be hard to attend school and knock out a lot of college courses in a year since i work 12 days on and have 2 days off from 3pm until 11pm or 1am. After i achieve my Bachelors degree I was thinking about attending ATP in dallas for either the private and commercail or just the commercial training. I have a freind that did the commercial and worked as a flight instructor and now works for Ex[ressJet or some other airline. I would like to know what my options are and if this plan/goal is reasonable and something that i should stick to or make changes to.
I wouls alos like to know what to look for when i am trying to decide what flight school to attend and what ratings are nessary. Please help quide me intop the right direction so I don't waste all my money or put myself in more debt.

BURflyer

What are you doing working at 19, you'll have the rest of your life for that, get an education first. You should be going to college or something. And college is not something you do on the side, it takes full commitment and make sure you remember how to study because if you didn't go to college after high school you're probably going to have a hard time being a student again. If you know that you are not a good student, then I would quit the job and focus on studying, take a break from everything, including flying and just work on completeing your degree. Expect at least 4 years to get your degree.

HeavyDriver

I didn't go to college...I was a pilot before leaving high school and was flying for a corporate flight department at 19 years old...At 21 I began a Graphic Design Company and spent many hours, day, weeks, and years learning the trade...Would I go to college?...No...It's not for me...It might not be for you either, but you'll be the one to know and decide on college. I'm 40 now and flying the left seat in a widebody, plus own a profitable corporation with several companies attached to it...The latest project I'm working on is the ownership of a LR 60...And that's with no college...But I can also add I do not and never have sat in front of the TV on my off time...Good luck and choose the path for success that will work for you!

fedupbusdriver

Most majors will not hire you without a college degree.

BURflyer

No reputable company will consider you with no college. This means that if you want to fly for the majors/fedex/ups or for corprate flight deparments then you have to have a degree. Someone on this board said a few weeks ago that 100% of the pilots hired at Fedex the last 5 years had the 4year degree. Those days of going to the majors with little or no college are gone, now there is a lot of competition. However, it's your decision. Some regionals and a lot of fractionals are as good as the airlines and if you can over look the fact that you won't be making more than 120k, then you can skip college and just go for it.

ryane946

Well said. By working now (and not going to college), you are trading A LITTLE money now, for A LOT of money later on.
Here's what I recommend:
You mentioned you have some debt. Hopefully it is very little. Cut your spending immediately. You will need around $40k for your flight training, and a decent amount of money for college. Continue working full time for the very short period until you are down to 0 debt.

Now, it is time to go to college. Working 40+hrs a week and going to school will be tough. You are lucky that your company is offering to pay for college. I would ask them if you could work part time, say 20hrs or less a week. If they say yes, continue working with them, and attend college. If they will not let you work part time and go to school, QUIT. You have your entire life to work. It is not worth it.

Get your 4 year degree. Cut spending, and save money. Once you are out of school, start flight training.

There are a few people who are flying for major airlines that do not have a college degree. Let me emphasize, A FEW! Also, remember that when HeavyDriver was considering college, Reagen was still in his first term (that was over 20 years ago). The Soviet Union was by far the biggest threat to the U.S. etc... That was then. This is now. The trend is changing. Fewer and fewer people will get halfway decent jobs without a college degree. If you want a shot at a good airline job, you NEED a college degree. A college degree is so incredibly important for your progression in a flying career.
WITHOUT a college degree, you will have a tougher time getting a job, and your career will probably end at a regional airline, making $90k a year after being there 15/20 years. WITH a college degree, you have good chances of your career ending at a major airline making around 180k. BIG DIFFERENCE!!

Start college as soon as you can. Ask your employer to work part time, and see if they will still pay for school. If so, that is an amazing deal and you can start flight training without any college debt, and you will have money in the bank for flight training. If they won't let you go part-time, you should QUIT.
Good luck

HeavyDriver

[QUOTE=
remember that when HeavyDriver was considering college, Reagen was still in his first term (that was over 20 years ago). The Soviet Union was by far the biggest threat to the U.S. etc... That was then. This is now.

He's so right...This is now...Humane Resources hires pilots not pilots..So if you want a remote chance of landing a Major Airline job...Get the College Degree...Makesure you network too, because without knowing someone on the inside to walk your stuff through you'll be just another pilot looking for those few great jobs...Very few pilots back when I was learning to fly did it by spending a lump sum of money either. They worked for their ratings...Earned them the hard way...Flew checks in the middle of the night in airplanes that most guys today couldn't handle...Washed airplanes...Worked Lineservice...Flew in the Armed Forces...Back in the "Old Days" Darwin weeded out the pilot pool before they ever got into a jet with paying passengers. Regional pilots were considered "Low Time" and "inexperienced" with 4000TT...And were lucky to get hired into a turboprop...Dang, now 100k and swooooosh...Right into the right seat of a jet...I wish back when I learned to fly was as easy as it is today to get into a jet...But back then everything was up hill with 3 feet of snow...and a Cessna with instruction was $27/hr wet...lol...Dang...Now I know what that old fart in the left seat was talking about when he said "In the good 'ol days we had this thing called a wing"...lol

Good Flying and Good Luck

jmathews_05

Thanks guys for all the input and advice. I will take it to heart. I just spoke to my Grandma today and asked if I can move back home so I can save a lot of money which in turn will be put towards my debt. In my family you have to work. We all pitch in to make ends meat in a way. My dad isn't around right now so my grandparents are raising 34 of us and they should both be retired so I have to work to help them out. Also my employee wouldn't let me work part time and pay for my college. My company brings in almost 15 billion dollars a year. I really do appriciate everyones advice but you have to understand where my family is. Since I am moving back home I plan on attending a junior college to complete my associate of science degree then transfer to a university to earn my bachelors. With the money that I will be saving by not paying for school I will but into a serperate account that will be for my flight training. I am really worried that by the time i'm say 30 that the airline industry will be sh*t and I won't be maiking anykind of money. Do you guys feel that it's still worth being a pilot for a living or just a hobby?