I've wanted to be a pilot since 2nd grade just like most ppl in here, but I have sooo many questions and I trust no one to answer them than pilots themselves...so I finally decided to join the forum...I'm 20 n right now I'm going to school to become a teacher. I'm wondering if it's possible to fly just over the summers. I realize that I can fly privately as such but I've always wanted to see the world as well, so I'm wondering if I can fly over the summers commercially. I'm teaching because of the good retirement plan and because, from what I've seen, it's a much more steady job than a pilot (especially after 9/11), even though teaching has never really interested me. So if you have opinions, plz jump in...

also, I wz thinking bout joining Spartan to become an AMT, but I am wondering if avionics might be a better choice...or if Spartan's even a good idea and how much typical pilots get paid to start...is it still around $50,000? or wz the advisor at Spartan lying to me to get me to register? and is it higher for males or females? and does anyone know if Embry-Riddle is actually as good as Spartan? or would Sporty's be my best choice? I know this is a lot to take in, but I need all the help I can get...

Finish your education - work as a teacher, save your money and attend ALLATPS for their 90 day program - get all your ratings. Forget about ERAU and the other schools...

Work as a free-lance CFI during the summer months / weekends and enjoy the best of both worlds...

-LAFF

Thanx for the advice LAFF...I'll definitely take it into consideration...also though, I 4got to mention, I live fairly close to Sporty's and have a friend attending there who is willing to carpool, which makes my decision about that more difficult b/c I know that's a good school and if I'm going to get his help, I'd have to do that NOW while he's still attending, but don't want to forfeit all the schooling I've alreay done...and where do they offer ALLATPS? I'll have to look into that..

and is it hard to find work as a free-lance? Aren't there a lot of pilots who do the same thing?