What do you mean by 65?

Also, my dad looks down on pilots as "glorified bus drivers" and he has mentioned that it has been bothering him that I am even considering a career as a pilot.

I am like 2 lessons from solo now and I'm not exactly sure what I want to get for a degree in college, but from what I've heard, I shouldn't get an aviation related degree.

Off-topic..how many of you went to college for aviation?
I'm going to some aviation camp in July at UND. Can you get a non-aviation degree at an aviation college and get your ratings there? (or would it be wiser to go to a college for something completely different that interests me and go to a nearby FBO for training)

 

How's that working out for ya?

 

Your dad is right, once upon a time it was more than that. You're just going to have to make your own decision. Don't waste your money on UND, go to community college get your general requirements for dirt cheap, then transfer to a state university preferably and get a BS in something other than aviation.

 

Took me eleven years between 2 regionals.

 

Took me 38 months at a regional, 11 months as a CA. I knew absolutely NO ONE at NWA. This industry is nothing but timing and dumb, blind luck. You can't plan anything. Well, I take that back. It's always a good idea to plan on being furloughed. That never hurts.

 

Thanks for all the input. This kinda changed my view on the job. I thought that if you were at a regional for like 5 years, you'd be guaranteed a job at a major. I'm going to continue on to get my PPL before college, and I'm going to go to the UND camp this summer, probably for fun, because it doesn't look like I'll be going there anymore....


With that said, I still want to be a pilot, but I don't like the system of dumb luck that the airlines impose....Maybe my views will change by the time I want to go to college, but we'll see.

I doubt it would help, but my dad is friends with someone who flies 744's for UAL and my friend's uncle flies 763's for Continental. I still may go to talk to my dad's friend about his career and whether he likes it or not, but it looks like going all in (by going to UND for Aerospace Sciences) is just a dumb move right now with this economy.

Again, thanks for the help, and any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

You would need laser vision surgery to fly in the navy/usmc. You could probably get a usaf pilot slot as-as if your vision doesn't get too much worse.

You do not need to be fighter pilot, military pilots who fly ant fixed-wing aircraft have great airline opportunities.

But military aviation (or any other officer job) is not just a job...you need to have an interest in the military and commit yourself to giving 100% for a few years. And at age 16, you probably don't have any idea of what 100% really means. I would probably get involved in athletics of some sort and try to get in shape if you really are considering the military...you still have time.

 

Slugger, what's the rush? you are only 16? Holllly sh!t, get your private first.. Enjoy flying for time building, enjoy instructing, enjoy your first solo, or first cross country...

 

There is certainly a dumb luck aspect to aviation, but who you know is even more important...how old are your dad's friends? Those connections could come in handy if they are not retired by the time you are ready to apply to a major.

 

My dad's friend is probably like 50 right now.

and at the guy that said "what's the rush" I am just wondering what the field is like because I was looking at colleges, but now it looks like I will not be going to an aviation college, and that was my main reason for making this topic.