To the OP:

Rick touched on a good point in his post. In my original post I failed to consider the fact that you are newly transplanted to the US from Europe. How familiar are you with flight training, airline hiring and the airline lifestyle/career progression here in the United States? This could all vary greatly from what you’re used to depending on where in Europe we’re talking about. Feel free to fire away any questions you have! Having the right answers could have a big influence on your decisions.

Thanks!
I DM'd you!

Hey. I'm 18 and I'm currently in college working on my 4 year business degree . I plan on going to flight school when I'm done, which will be 2024. One of my worries is time. I'm afraid I will miss the hiring wave. My college has a flight program. Should I take the risk and do the flight program or complete my business degree and get my flight ratings elsewhere? Any advice would be appreciated

Fact is, you need your 4-year degree, so keep going there. Next, while structured programs are best, I’d start slowly while in college. Find a local Part 61 school, get a first class medical and get your private there. If things go well, then start towards the rest. I worked while in a local college at a small airport, discounted rates on flying and an income in college.

You'll catch the tail-end of the wave at the regionals, maybe enough to get hired at a major expeditiously. But most of it will be over once you're at a major, just too young (but you'll doubtless enjoy the next one, whenever that is).

You could work on your ratings on the side at a 61 school, should be able to get to CFI in four years part-time.

The biz degree might be a useful backup at some point, I'd try to do that if you can.

You have to have the back up plan.
There will always be ups and downs in the industry. Many people ( including me) have been furloughed, even more than once, at some point.

It’s not all about “catching the wave”. College is a big commitment in many ways; Physical, Mental, Time and of course Money. Adding in flight training on top of that is another large commitment - even a PPL under part 61.

My opinion is to do what suits you. If you are comfortable with the current work load for your degree and feel you can add more of all the above mentioned factors, then do some research. If you’re already maxed out with no free time, spare brain power or money then now is not the right time.

Hey, my school apparently offers a minor in professional pilot. They start you at private all the way to multi engine flight. I still want to keep my business while minoring in flight. Any advice would be appreciated.

If that minor provides eligibility for R-ATP minimums, then I would seriously consider that route... major in something useful, minor in aviation.

Keep in mind that university flight programs tend to be expensive, if you hustle you can usually attend a non-aviation college, do flight training on the side for lower cost, and complete the CFI ratings by the time you graduate. You'll just need to CFI for an additional 500 hours, compared to R-ATP eligibility. Depends on your personal finances, if cost is no object I'd probably do the structured university minor program just so you don't have to try to juggle part 61 training with college.

Hey rick, thank you for your contribution. I have a question. Currently I'm taking online classes to avoid debt. I also have a scholarship going for me. I've applied to other scholarship opportunities. My estimated debt with my major in business is roughly around 20k. If I were to minor in piloting, that would be an additional 60k, equalling to about 80k undergrad business degree plus flight ratings. Unfortunately, you have to be an aviation major to qualify for the R-Atp. I just want to make it infront of hiring wave coming so that I could be in a good position the next downturn or potentially go to the majors without upgrading for caption on the regionals. Sorry for the lengthy post. Any thoughts?