I consider myself to be the type of person who thoroughly researches things before I decide to actually make an important decision. Since I was 12, I have wanted to fly and have learned all I could about the process. However, I believe there are many other good people out there who want to fly as well, but get sucked into a training program because of pure propaganda. Let me give you an example. I visited Arizona State University's Polytech campus last year because I was thinking about enrolling in their Prof Flight Program which was ran through Mesa Pilot Development. I met with the Dean Of the Aeronautics Department and he fed me and another young man what I now know is total BS. He talked about how much the airline industry was growing and how many new pilots were going to be needed and how within several years we would be making a really decent amount of money. He talked about the $20 million RJ Sims they had and how a job with Mesa was almost gurantanteed if you completed the program. However, he didnt talk about the crappy pay and working conditions at Mesa. He didnt tell me that I might be sleeping in the planes at night and that Mesa is loathed by the whole industry. What I found really depressing is the fact that this Dean was an older gentleman in his 60s with both prior military and airline experience. He's a guy anyone would trust. Fortunately, my primary flight instructor always advocated the "Non-aviation degree at a state school/train at the local FBO" approach so I decided to not enroll in MAPD. However, I honestly think that a lot of other good people go to these airlines not because they are trying to undermine the airline industry by working for low-pay and in horrible conditions, but because they are suckered in by fancy advertisements. However, there is much to be said with the issue of whether or not these pilots should have done their homework beforehand.

 

Bill McCurry at ASU? I know him...I was there when the program was getting off the ground (1995-1997) when it was transitioning from the main campus in Tempe out to IWA (ASU East).

 

What's he supposed to say? Blow all of your money here, everybody will hate you, and you will not be able to pay your loans back at your first year salary? Of course he is going to only tell you the good part.

While a non aviation degree may be a better choice for a backup, significant time can be saved if you choose to get an aviation degree. It saved me over one year, and that can mean a lot of seniority.

Not that I like MPD or anything though.

 

So you work for Mesa and know exactly what you are talking about? How about the fact that you could be getting an airline job 10 days after your multi commercial check ride? But I suppose under those terms the pay should be the industrys highest. You should sleep on roses and have someone powder you sac every morning.

I still think everyone should have to work a real job (dig a hole, pave a road, tar a roof, sling 14' drywall all day) before getting any job flying airplanes, then you'll know just how hard and dispicable this really isn't regardless of which company you choose to fly for.

 

One of the best statements in a long time. A crappy day at the airlines really isn't that bad in the big scheme of things. I've been a hole digger, it's nice for about 2 months out of the year, other than that its too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, ect. I'm not saying flying for a regional is a dream job, and there are a lot of things that could be better, but there are a lot worse places to be.

 

You could say the same to the Doctor or Corporate exec...................

As a Professional Airline Pilot, do you want to compare yourself to a
Unskilled/ minimum wage laborer? Have some self esteem for Pete's sake.

.

 

How is that? A four year aviation degree takes 4 years and you fly at the same time. My four year non-aviation degree took 4 years and I flew on the side.

 

No kidding. Unfortunately there are people that have worked crappy jobs and forget about all that the second they get an airline job.

 

you shouldn't compare a profession to a job.
digging holes is not comparable to being a professional airline pilot.

i agree... everyone should work... i worked in a factory in college to help pay for flight training... however now that i fly the line i deserve more. i worked hard in college to become a professional aviator. the hole digger doesn't owe money in college loans and doesn't have the responsibility that we do. it doesn't mean that his job is any less, it is just different, thus should be the compensation.

 

Its this kind of attitude that allows our pay to stay Frigging LOW have some Pride about your career and yourself I never considered myself a hole digger but if thats what you want to compare yourself too , more power to you, I wonder how many first year FO are elegible for foodstamps....