Still Don't Get It
 

Holtzy:

I still don't think you "get it".

You seem to be worried about missing this "hiring boom" that's just around the corner. Personally, I doubt it will happen but even if there is a tremendous increase in hiring, you aren't going to be competitive without a degree. At least get an Associates degree so that you have something besides a high school diploma. Do you know what your chances of being hired ANYWHERE are with just a high school diploma for your formal education ? ZERO. NONE.NADA.

You also seem to think that you're going to "be stuck being a Captain in a CRJ-700 forever..." . Well, there are a lot worse places to be "stuck" but I doubt you'll get stuck being a CRJ-700 Captain because you'll never get hired at a regional being a one dimensional person with a high school diploma. I don't care how much CFI time you have. Please look in the mirror. You aren't going to get hired without a degree or at least an Associates degree and some advanced college work.

Obviously, my advice isn't working so heed that of others on this forum and seriously re-think your approach.

I've said enough but wish you luck. As the sharks say on "Shark Tank", "I'm out".

G'Luck Mate;)

I have only a High School Diploma..My career thus far has been PURE LUCK!!. But I never had an "agenda" either.

I spent 12 years at a regional with 9 of those years as a Captain before moving on to where I am now.
Is it a Legacy-NO..Do I care -NO


I would recommend getting the 4 year. Just be prepared for the catch 22 that comes with that also.
Don't try rolling the dice like I did, you might lose.

If truer words were never spoken......



atp

If you goal is to get to United, as soon as you can, then go to a 4 year school that is accredited by the FAA to meet the "restricted ATP" minimums. There are ten on the list so far. UND, Embry Riddle, Western Michigan, Auburn..... Those schools allow you to get the ATP with 1000 hours TT. All major airlines prefer a 4 year degree. Delta requires it. You can fly while in school. Then work for SkyWest to get at least 1000 PIC turbine time to become marketable. By the time you get done with college. All regionals will be begging you to work for them if not paying for it. Half of all major airline seniority lists will retire in the next ten years.

What about this:
Graduate high school at 17
Go to flight academy, finish at 18 (almost 19)
Go to a four year at 19 and CFI to help pay for expenses
Graduate at 23 and meet ATP minimum
Go to regional
Hopefully go to legacy or anywhere really with a 737 and 747 (I'm a Boeing guy)

What about this:
Graduate high school at 17

Most high school grads are 18, but ok....

Go to flight academy, finish at 18 (almost 19)

How are you funding this ?

Go to a four year at 19 and CFI to help pay for expenses

How are you funding the four year. Remember you just funded flight academy. Is a CFI job available at location of 4 year. CFI will not pay for college, room/board, and leave any money left over for social life. You are only 19-23 once. Enjoy it.

Graduate at 23 and meet ATP minimum

You assume you will graduate at 23. Due to lack of class availability some semesters, etc, it may be 24. You may or may not fly 1500 hours in 4 years if you are attending a full time 4 year university program. Because "full time" is required to graduate in 4 years. Also 1500 hours of Cessna 152 time is not what the "next level" is looking for. They want multi-engine time, Part 135 time, etc etc stuff. The CFI who is at a Part 141 school or busy FBO is in a position to get multiengine time, make contacts, etc. Multi-engine time comes from the hangar customer dentist who needs his Baron taken to the paint shop, etc. It also means you have to be available when the phone call comes. This is kinda hard to do when you are in class or working on a paper.

Go to regional

You will likely (but maybe not) need 200-300 hours multiengine

Hopefully go to legacy or anywhere really with a 737 and 747 (I'm a Boeing guy)

Yes

I'm younger than the rest of my class, I'll turn 18 2 months after I graduate highschool. Parents will be paying for the flight academy. It is still far cheaper than a four year. I will CFI around my college schedule, again my brother is a kinesiology major (kind of like sport med) and he still has plenty of time to be a varsity water polo player and hang out with friends. I think I could work around my schedule. The money I get from instructing will go to my tuition. I can always instruct or do charter flying for my local FBO. They charter out a king air and a few other bigger airplanes.... Oh last thing, about social life, I'm not the kind of person to go out and party or go to a restaurant every night.

Unequivocally: 4-year degree. If you're going to shoulder thousands of dollars in student loans, it may as well be for something that would give you something to fall back onto if/when you are furloughed.
Whether you attend a flight school or not, you will earn the exact same ratings. You're better off shelling out $30,000 and get them on your own than spending $100,000 to get the same ratings through a a Riddle.
Good luck.

Oh, and even if not used in the event of a furlough, your degree in something other than aviation will make you a better rounded person when you're jobhunting at the airlines.

Yes.

Check back in at every stage and let us know how it is going.