Nice post, quite similar with my own experience. I was in flight test, same story. It's not really worth debating if aviation science degrees are valuable in flying. They are probably better than ad hoc backgrounds like mine. The more important thing in my view is the impoverished nature of such degrees, as Rick mentioned a few posts ago. I hate to see people entering adult life with so little education. They know nothing but operating heavy machines- the arts, sciences, humanities, the wide mindset built through years study encompassing broad subject areas is absent. If I ever have a child who wants to fly professionally I will urge him to get a degree in anything "but" aviation, then go and fly for a living.

 

Because they're otherwise un-hireable, despite common assumptions. MIT grads, especially 6+8 yr grads, are having a hard time finding a life outside of academia. 8 yr grads suffer from an overexposure and ego stroking within the walls of their universities that ruins them for life. I suppose it's because they almost always lack the experience of the real world outside of their own protected walls, and secondly they are often quite difficult to work with. You think you've flown with a Captain with an ego problem? Wait till you work with someone walking around with an MIT badge in his wallet. Yes, I have a PhD from a major university, but no-one knows it. When it becomes beneficial for me to wave the paper around, I'll get it out.

Contrary to the press, MIT's marketing, or popular belief, they're often hired in at very low positions at large firms, where they fail miserably. At HP, Seimens, IBM and others, no one wants to work with them, and they rarely hold senior positions. Every now and then you'll find one, but not too often. They usually cause trouble in the work force, do not understand business in it's reality, have little to no interpersonal skills, and carry a very large chip on their shoulder. In short, they are type cast amongst their peers as soon as they start waving their PhD around, and not even seniors want to associate with them. Their only salvation is the Government where incompetence reigns supreme, or back to the classroom where they enjoy their god-like status.

Roll all of that up and imagine the difficulty in the cockpit when you have to fight with such a know-it-all all the way from ATL-SFO. Nah, these guys have unfortunately remained in the academic world for a reason - they are terrified of the real world. Now a decade ago this was not nearly the problem we see today. But with the environment as it is, I would venture to say less than 5% remain in the workforce and do well, the remainder moving back to their familiar academic surroundings, or perhaps the government where they can misbehave as they've become accustomed.

RE: The OP issue of 1000 vs 1500 hrs, firstly you'll find that those hours come pretty quick when you get to that point. 6 months maybe. Secondly, if I was a CP or the hiring/screener at any particular airline, I certainly would not be strong-armed by some university that worked the current corrupt Washington system, with the sold purpose to have me "lawfully" force-place an entire graduating class ahead of a more experience pilot roster. I think you'll find those kids who have spent a fortune on the Kansas fast track after being told they are guaranteed this and that, are actually flying freight in a 182 somewhere until they get up to every one else's standards of 1500+.

JMHO

 

This garbage can was design by politicians/lobbyist in which were voted in, therefore you vote the hacks out of office and establish politicians/lobbyist who have the same views as you do. The current political climate in the US is a factor in which some businesses started in the US have decided to sell some or all of their assets to foreign companies nullifying some of the political/lobbyist BS in the US. Many aviation products and services are headed in that direction in part because of the liabilities of operating businesses in the US.

 

It's hard to get the hours for me. Flight instructing is slow........

 

Seems hard to find the hours. I'm flight instructing and students are few and far between. I wonder if other areas are seeing this? Trying to build time, looking at all possibilities.

 

Yes, it's the same at other places, too. I'm averaging anywhere from two to five hours per week where I work right now. Students are rather few and far in between. With any luck I'll soon get a call from one of the pilot mill schools churning out those Chinese contract students...otherwise it will be an uphill battle. At the rate I'm going, it'll take four years to reach 1500 hours. I have an aviation degree, but it's from a part 61 university program.

 

Consider moving to a place that has many of those schools in one area?, like Phoenix, SoCal, Florida, etc? Most likely any airline job is going to require a move and at the least significant time away from where you live. I'd think that those interested in building hours would be applying and then moving to these pales with job offers?

 

Learning a foreign language is an resume enhancement!

 

100% agree. That's my plan, although unfortunately there isn't much hiring going on right now. Most of these pilot mills can afford to be choosy at this time of year and I'm only a green CFI; things will pick up soon though.

 

I beg to differ, sir. I am trilingual and it hasn't given me much of an advantage in regards to getting interview invites. Then again, I don't speak Chinese or any other Asian language. I would wager that the schools which have lots of Chinese/Asian students strongly desire that.