UND is not an "aviation college" any more than it is a medical school or a law school (yeah, they also make doctors and lawyers, not just pilots). UND is a liberal arts college with an aviation program. Look at the UND brochures that are NOT from the aviation school. You'll see that there is a huge diversity of programs available to anyone there. Yes, you can get your ratings at UND even if you are working on a different degree.

Speaking as someone who has done other things besides fly airplanes, I can say without a doubt that my worse days flying are better than my best days when I worked in IT. Personally, I think a lot of the whiny people who are down on this business are people who did not really know what they were getting into and who lack perspective. Can you make more money and spend more time at home doing other things? Yes. I know it's a cliche, but money can't buy happiness.

UND '05

 

Slugger:

I am 10 years older than you. But I started in a similar situation as you. I soloed at 16, got my license at 17, and worked my way up. I did it all through local freelance flight instructors and EVERY ONE of them told me above all else to major in something outside of aviation. I took their advice and I chose Accounting. I received the degree, and worked for just under 2 years in the field, mainly to stockpile money (I made 40k right out of school), and so that it wasn't just an empty degree. I wanted something else on the resume showing that I had worked in the field before I would take a shot at the airlines.

I decided to take a shot at the airlines and have done it for nearly two years now. As others have said, it is a cool job, but a lousy career. And honestly, the cool factor of the job only goes so far when you are hurdling away from your family at .8 the speed of sound.

However, with my impending lay off from my company, bleak outlook for the industry for the next many years, I have decided to go back to accounting. In fact, I am beginning school Jan 5th to get my CPA done. I count my blessings often that I was smart enough when I was younger to major in something else. So many pilots get fixated on this career choice and major in Airport Management or Aviation Business, along with all their flight training. The problem with these degrees is that they don't carry much weight outside of aviation. Many guys I fly with feel "stuck" right now. And I am feeling pretty darn good actually.

Just my $.02.

Check out my website listed in my signature and read some of my posts. I have sort of outlined my journey. I will always be an aviation teacher (I believe that this is where my passion really lies in this field). As such, I am available to you should you need guidance or have questions about airplanes, the industry, anything related to getting your PPL, etc. It would be my pleasure to be a contact to you should you want one. Contacts in this field are always a good thing.

Best of luck.

 

You do not need a degree in anything specific to get hired by an airline, as a pilot. Get a degree in something as a backup, and continue flight training, on the side, at a local FBO. You will save a lot of money doing it that way.

 

Slugger,

Kudos to you for having goals and aspirations. Keep working hard and you'll see those become reality, whatever they may be.

That being said, nobody can predict where the industry will be in the 6 or so years between now and when you have a college degree and competetive times. This industry is very dynamic. Last year at this time, the airline I was working for anticipated hiring over 1000 pilots to meet the needs of new growth and people leaving for the majors. By September, the 200 or so hired in 2008 were furloughed.

As for your dad, yeah there is some validity to his comment. However I challenge you to find any career path that hasn't lost some of its luster in recent years. I also challenge him to find any career that gives you as much time off as this one does.

Back to the goals. Never lose sight of them but keep them in the background. In the meantime, enjoy being 16. Savor the flying you're doing now and the achievements that are coming with every lesson. While it's a neat way to pay the bills, sooner or later it becomes like every other job.

 

Slugger, take the advice we are giving you. I did not and got two.. yes, two degrees in aviation related fields and I am kicking myself in the arse for doing so. I wish now, I had studied meteorology or something else that I could fall back on. I am stuck now with what I have, but am getting ready to start an online MBA program to hopefully build a feasible backup plan should the dirt hit the fan again. I got lucky this time, my old employer in college hired me back as a computer course designer and programmer... and I was able to find another airline job. Next time, things might not work out so nicely.

 

[quote=rickair7777;506069]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.

quote]

This does change based on needs. I had a waiver and was able to fly with 20/50, correctable to 20/20. That was almost 20 yeas ago though.

 

Yeah, I am going to take the advice. I actually found this website from a Boston Center controller on VATSIM who said the exact same thing everyone here is saying; "Do not get an aviation related degree."

Though this is kind of discouraging, I know I will find a way to fly somehow, whether that is for an airline, or buying my own cessna in awhile (a long while) after I get, most likely, a business/accounting degree. One of my instructors says that many airline pilots hate their jobs, and he works for Planesense in portsmouth, NH and he flies PC-12s and he loves it, but he said airlines aren't the same, you're treated like a number.

 

We all understand the concern over being a 'glorified bus driver'. Guess your Dad knows more than you thought <bg> Their is a joke that says something like "Don't tell my Mom I'm an airline pilot, she thinks I play a piano in a bar" (G version)
I'm a cargo driver, and so I'm a glorified truck driver <g>. 16 might actually be a good age to think of this business. You will be 20 before we start seeing real retirments again in this profession. Then if things are like they are now, we will see alot of pilot progression again. So being 20 going into the REnewed retiremnt phase is a good thing. (that is the age 65 thing, the law just changed last year, used to retire at 60 now 65). Do not do anything you don't want to do (i.e. military). I have Military/regional/cargo background. Like them all, great people in virtually every segment of aviation. (General Aviation/Commercial Aviation across the spectrum and military) . Went to an aviation school, get a degree that can be useful if you don't fly for a living and that interests you. ( Mine is engineering). Even if you choose not to make it a career, will run into all segments even if you fly at your local airport on the weekends. We may argue like cats and dogs on some of these forums, but realize we mostly would all enjoy each others company in the cockpit and on the job. Enjoy flying, do not get discouraged (normal part of this profession <g>) Congrats on your solo!!! Your interests will develop as you stay in flying. Welcome aboard!

 

Slugger,

I think not liking your job is a prerequisite for every field out there. Don't get discouraged if you want to do this. I didn't know squat about planes at 16 other than what they looked like flying over my house and I wasn't lucky enough to have the means to take lessons at that age.

Use it to your advantage. See if you can get a job at your FBO fueling or maybe working the desk. Hang out on days off, get to know the others around the airport. Chances are there are a few airline pilots there who can give you lots of insight too.

 

I will add my 2 cents real quick. IT IS ALL DUMB LUCK and a little bit who you know. I was at a regional for 17 months and never upgraded. Got hired on at Spirit and then furloughed. I was 25.

You seem like you are really trying to take peoples advice here. So get a degree in something other than aviation and fly on the side then make a career out of it. You might end up in a good position based on your age. That is all if the world doesn't end in 2012.