I would say, stay in school. Take your time and have fun in college, I don't mean to sound cliche, but you don't miss what ya got till it's gone (cue the horrible 90's song). College is a GREAT time, stay there as long as you can.............YOU WILL MISS IT!






Oh and I hear you can get a degree there......

 

Ok, so after I posted, I took the time to read the rest of the thread.

No offense, but this is completely untrue. Online degrees make a BIG difference, at least now. Whether they continue to have a stigma about them remains to be seen as the industry turns over.

There are certainly reputable online Universities, requiring the same amount of general knowledge and time spent studying, but the problem is that they're so unknown and, perhaps worse, completely out of the frame of reference for the majority of the people out there doing the hiring. While somebody familiar with such things may have no problem with the idea, most people on hiring committees have a degree of seniority with the airline and, therefore, probably didn't complete their degree during a time when the internet even existed, let alone offered degrees. Not only that, but in the aviation industry alone there have been quite a few scandals involving online degrees, including top executives at Cessna. Lastly I would also say that what most airlines are looking for when they see a degree isn't just that you have taken your Gen Ed math course, but rather looking for the fact that you can learn new information at a rapid pace and are a generally more rounded person. In an industry where learning complex new information on a continuous and rapid basis isn't just the norm but is also the law, proving that you're a capable learner before you get to the interview is extremely valuable.

All this being said, I have no stipulations against people who get their degrees online, especially if they're working at the same time, but I believe that I'd probably (at least for now) be in the minority of hiring people to hold that belief. It sounds like the path you're taking isn't irresponsible or lazy, all I'm saying is for people reading your post to keep in mind that with the whole online situation, be careful so that you don't waste your money and your time. Remember: it's College, not (0|_|_3G3, in case you get any emails telling you can get your four year degree in one .

Oh, and it's definitely almost immediately apparent that it was done online, and if it's not mentioned on your resume, it's very likely that that's just one more question in your interview that you'll have to answer.

 

Who cares if an online degree is good enough or not (probably not). You should stay in college for the experience. I wouldn't trade my college days for anything. In fact, my dad had to cut off to get me to leave college. Like the other guy said, I wouldn't trade my college experience for any job at fed ex/ ups/ southwest etc. It took me a solid five years to graduate with a degree in frat life...oh I mean econonmics and it was a blast. Not to mention the letters on my degree come from a big twelve university rather than some fly by night online deal. Its always a good thing when the people interviewing you have heard of the college you went to. I would recommend stay in college, get your cfi and do that work on the side. That is what I did; I worked as a cfi and I was also a corporate pilot for a medical company my junior and senior year. I also flew some charter. It is possible to get your hours while you are still in college. It is a lot of work but it is possible. When I graduated I had about 2000 total hours and about 600 hours of multi engine. I went to work at one of the "good" regionals straight from being a cfi in college where as a good portion of classmates were a bunch of lateral movers from dump regionals.

 

If you are near GEG or SFF go see the local Civil Air Patrol squadron and get checked flying Orientation Rides. Lots of free time! I logged almost 100hours with them so far this year that I didn't have to pay for!

 

Don't sweat the 5 years at your age. It may not even come to 5 years. But I have to agree with everyone else that you need to get your bachelor's degree at the minimum. Without it, you'll be looking at "Welcome to Wal-mart" as your daily routine (not that there is anything wrong with it if that's your thing). As for the lack of GA in your area, if you really want to pursue this aviation career, move to a place where you can get more GA bang for your buck. Getting your CFI and moving to Florida or another state where GA is aplenty may be a solution. They are pretty hurt for CFIs out there right now.

As for the hiring trend, it comes and it goes. It's just like surfing. You never know when the big wave will hit you, and you never know when there's a school of sharks behind the wave. At the end of the day, build up as much time, experience, and knowledge as you can (afford to). Who knows, after you get your business degree, you might realize that getting into the regional gig makes very little financial sense. Good luck.

 

Lot of different ways this could play out now. Were I you, I'd hold out for a good regional. If this age 65 thing goes through, you will probably get stuck in the right seat wherever you go for a few years... probably 3 (add about half of the 5 years they are tacking on to the end of everyones career to your wait for CA upgrade). This means that if you go to a crappy regional, your life will be crap for that amount of time. I only wish I had the resource of APC to inform myself on the front end of getting into this gig. Had I had this forum, and been patient, I'd be a CA at Skywest right now LOVING life in California. You, on the other hand cold live this reality rather than daydream whistfully about it. All in all, the workd is your oyster at 20 no matter where you go. Even if you went to Eagle and spent 7 years waiting to upgrade, you would still retire near the top of the seniority list at a major. Nice place to be in... just chose wisely on your first step and don't burn yourself out. That's my $.02


Oh, also it is a BEEEOTCH to finish a 4-year degree whilst serving at the pleasure of her majesty the airline. Finish it now while you have the chance. Again, 20 years old is a good place to be... 25 is a good place to be!!! You will get there, just be patient, do the work, learn everything you can about aviation (try writing a book on the side... it gets your teaching skills crazy sharp), get your experience level up... and yes, apply to your #1-#4 choices now just in case they say yes... and leave the scummy joints alone.

 

Amen!!!! It's nice to hear someone actually wanted to get the most experience possible while still in college. Congrats on your hard work. I get so sick and tired of young guys graduating college with 250 hrs and asking where's my airline job? Spending all their energy trying to get on with a carrier with as little experience as possible instead of as soon as possible through hard work and drive. If there is any justice you will find yourself at your chosen career destination long before your peers. Although sadly it doesn't always work out that way.

 

Good news about all that is I will probably upgrade before some of my classmates because they won't have the minimum company requirements. There is also something to be said about not being in debt, the only thing I owe on is my truck. Another reason to avoid the "here's your airline job in six months" scams. I'd still rather be livin it up in college still...I could've done a sixth year easy.

 

Chinook is there a way to contact you via email or something? I would like to pursue this a little further.

 

****Bump****