ERAU is a business. Their enrollment is down and that effects their bottom line on cash. So going to USA Today and CNN to speak about how there is a massive pilot shortage looming, and talking about how great a career it will be is the same trick they have used every 5 years. Every single time they have done this, they have plastered their flight training airplanes with a close up of their university logo and motion simulators in the background while they interview some flight instructor who is madly in love with airplanes, speaking how flying airplanes is the greatest thing in the world, and day dreaming into the camera about how ever since he was 3 years old he has been so in love with airplanes that he would do what ever it takes to fly them.

And the worst part, these students love flying so much that they will come out of college and accept any contract for pennies, flying a shinny jet for a regional even if it under cuts the rest of the industry or causes a thousand pilots to be outsourced and furloughed. And as long as management knows that, they will continue to send jerks like Roger Cohen hand in hand with ERAU to set up these interviews, and try to attract that same target audience of people who love to fly so much they will pay whatever it takes, and they love flying so much they will fly for free. Why do you think ERAU and the president of management's union (Roger Cohen) work hand in hand? Because it helps both of their bottom line on CASH.

And before anyone starts standing up for Riddle and telling me I have no idea what I am talking about, I did every year of my under grad at Riddle.

....and I used to play cowboys and indians and I played cops and robbers. We are all driven by our fantasies. This is especially true in aviation. Sane people dont put their lives (and the lives of many others) in danger unless they love what they are doing. With the exception of the glory days (40's through 60's) pilots have never banked big cash. Usually we are too independant minded to put up with the crap necessary to cash-in.

But as with the .com billionaires.... its all a matter of timing. Jump in too soon, and you are a pathfinder...all hardship, no reward. Jump in after the wave, and you get to doggy-paddle and essentially coast along with comparitively few REAL challenges...and thus smaller rewards. But if you are lucky enough to ride the wave (again the 1940's-1960's) then you are the big kahoona for everyone to look at, admire, and envy.

I tell wannabe's that the adventure is in part 91. In 121 you get to travel and compare one marriot room to a hyatt room. not much time for anything else.

As for education, I suggest to them that they diversify themselves. I am unaware of any airline that REQUIRES an aviation degree. It may be a preference, but wont be a deal breaker. By diversifying their knowledge base, they can actually bring MORE to the table. And they can better survive the ebbs and flows of the industry. They might even be able to make more of their aviation career if they had a more objective perspective allowing for more strategic decision making. So I usually suggest they seek degrees in business administration, engineering, Human resources.

Like any wide-eyed kiddo, they invariable brush off my advice and blaze what they think is their own unique path.....but underneath the overgrowth they will eventually find the footsteps of so many who have gone before them, mine included.

So....we guide. We teach. We encourage a wiser path. we dont become bitter or hate the industry for what it has become (with our help).

AND WE CERTAINLY DO NOT DISCOURAGE FUTURE PILOTS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE WANT TO ACCELLERATE A "SHORTAGE" IN HOPES THAT IT WILL DRIVE UP OUR WAGES!

Riddle cost a little over 200k for 4 years... if you're enrolled in the flight program.

Just for the record, I am on board with that statement!

Oh my flippin' god, are you serious? Wow--IMHO any aspiring pilots should not take on that can of financial burden unless independently wealthy.

As I have said to others, you can fly for a living, that's fine, just realize the realities of the job. And who knows, a 'good' job my come quickly. Finally, I am very fortunate for the National Guard benefits and what money I saved during deployment. I would be in a totally different financial boat without that.

It's USA Today. 'Nuff said...just consider the source.

G'Luck Mates

Sad but true...here is the proof.

Estimated Cost of Attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Costs and Payments, Daytona-Beach , Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Currently quoting $39,438 per year of Riddle for living.

THEN, add in ~$50,000 for total flight costs.

That is assuming you do not want your CFI certs. Otherwise, pony up at least another $12,000.

Holy crap

Tuition and Fees* $29,248

It was $4800 in 1997.

You do realize how backwards this thought is? You clearly have no idea how the rest of the world's airline pilot jobs compare to the pay/benefits of USA pilots.

Those guys are saying the exact same thing (rightly in my mind) about USA "pilots".