The College Degree thing

[SlumTodd_Millionaire]

Your points are well taken, but your last point is where the hitch is. Flying a full schedule AND going to college is a tough nut to crack.

Very true. You'd have to make an honest assessment of your own discipline to determine if you'll be able to buckle down and get it done. If you can't, then take it one step at a time. In the end, there's a 99% chance that you'll need the degree to get a career job in this business, so you'll have to get it one way or another.

 

[aerospacepilot]

Honestly man...The airplane will always be there...Going to college at this age wont. Go to college and have fun. Make new friends...Live with them and do stupid crap. Hook up with random girls...Paint your body and go to your schools football games and go out and get drunk....During all that, you can also learn a hell of a lot in class hehe.

I love flying...Its something i've wanted to do as a career ever since I can remember, but in my personal opinion, if it meant having to give up the four ( oops....five ) years I spent at college, I would drop a career in aviation in a heart beat. The people you will meet, the experiences you will have, the things you will do are things you only get a shot at doing once.......The airplane will always be there tomorrow....(and if you go to college and have a test, the bar will always be there tomorrow too).

:yeahthat:What a great post.
If I were you, I would get my priorities straight. Your first priority should be to get a 4 year college degree at a university campus. You know that you basically cannot get hired by a major airline without a college degree. You say you like 747's...well odds are you won't be flying one without a college degree. Why are you in such a hurry to get to the regionals? People want to get to regionals so they can get seniority, so they can upgrade, so they can get their turbine PIC time, so they can go to a major. If you cannot go to a major (since you don't have a college degree), then why are you in as rush to get a regional seniority number??

Honestly, online degrees are not the same as going to college to get a 4 year degree. It is not necessarily what you learn in class, but rather it is the experiences, networking, and overall growth as a human being that makes a college education so damn valuable. You will not get most of this taking online courses.

I agree with everyone else. You will never again get this opportunity in your life. Go to college. If I were you, I would get my PPL right away, and then slowly get your instrument, commercial, multi, CFI/II/MEI throughout college, or when you graduate. The regionals will still be hiring. You will be eligible to fly for a major airline someday. And you will not regret your decision to go to college. I promise.
Good luck. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Bumblebee]

Listen to this man . . .

Your points are well taken, but your last point is where the hitch is. Flying a full schedule AND going to college is a tough nut to crack. Perhaps going to college and doing CFI work to build time is a better answer.

Agreed, I am doing that right now . . . and I'm completely burnt out on school. I started flying (as a career change) and college at the same time. Dough said to get the degree, and by the barnacles of Poseidon, I'm determined to do it because many major airlines require that you check the "college degree" box. I should have my BA right around the time I get my 1000TPIC.

Knowing what I know now, (I come from your future) I'd suggest go to college and enjoy it, then go to work. You can fly during summer vacation and take your friends on x country trips . . . that sounds like such a blast.

Oh for a time machine

 

[ilove747s]

I appreciate all the input. It's very interesting.

So we have the pros and cons of each. Breaking it down....

Option A. College first then regional

Pros: I would put that it is easier here, but either way I will have to work if I'm trying to avoid debt. Other than that there would be tons of beer, plenty of fun, and new lady every night (maybe). A 4 year degree at a real University may be more recognized.

Cons: Missing out on the 4 - 5 years of senority plus I'll be much older when im ready to make peanuts at a regional and then there is a small chance I may miss this hiring boom and I'd be taking on boat loads of debt.


Option B. Flying + some college then regional while finishing college (2-3 years)

Pros: Can be done mostly debt free and be at a regional sooner building extra senority

Cons: Could be a struggle to work on school while flying for a regional, may take longer to complete school, and I may not have a degree that is as good as the guy next to me because I completed it online.

Option C. would be to finish all my flying and then CFI while in college then go to a regional but again that has the same cons as option A.

Decisions.....


MCasey, I'm going to solo this coming Saturday and also Sunday. I've met most the requirements for my PPL and I just need the 10 hours solo and 3 hours of instrument. I'm taking 3 days off next month to knock my PPL out.

 

[E_Dawg]

I finished the online thing and it was EASY, even while crediting 90-100hrs/month first year at a regional. And outside of flying I have about the worst study habits you can imagine.

But I didn't learn anything either...

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

I'm gonna agree with seagull on this one... go ahead and get the online degree. You're gonna have to have a degree, and the online thing is growing credibility.

I wouldn't give up my years in a major university for anything, but you're already 21 and not getting any younger. Don't be the old guy on campus. Getting a seniority number and getting quality hours should now be priority 1 whilst obtaining a degree.

 

[kellwolf]

I'd have my degree done already if I had an extra $1000. Seriously, that's all that's standing in the way right now, and I don't wanna take out another loan when I can either just wait until I get my tax return or a couple of months after I upgrade. I need two classes, then I'm done.

A lot of guys think "Well, I'll get on with a regional, and I'll do on-line classes at the layover hotel." Trust me. The LAST thing you want to do after a 12 hour duty day with a 10 hour overnight is homework. You're better off doing that stuff on your days off at home.

Now, as far as a degree from a brick and mortar college, on-line, etc.....no one cares. At least, that's been my experience. That goes double at the regional level. If you've got a high school diploma or a GED, then they're happy. The majors are a different story. There are plenty of guys that have hit the glass ceiling here at Pinnacle b/c they don't have a degree. One senior CA I flew with had a guy saying he could have him an interview at Alaska the next week....until that CA said he didn't have a degree. Then his buddy couldn't help him out. Keep in mind said CA has been flying professional longer than most of our FOs have been alive.

What should you major in? Something that interests you. You're more likely to finish the coursework that way. If it's aviation, don't let the people saying "you need a fall back" talk you out of it. A history, english or liberal arts degree is gonna be just as useful in the real world as an aviation degree. IMO, a bachelor's in business falls in the same category since you'd be competeing with guys that have their masters degrees in business. Remember, it's probably their goal, and it's your fall back.

 

[Pacheco]

Ahhh great thread, I have been looking for this info. I now see a good route to go to become a pro-pilot. Thanks guys!

 

[Wing_96]

I appreciate all the input. It's very interesting.

So we have the pros and cons of each. Breaking it down....

Option A. College first then regional

Pros: I would put that it is easier here, but either way I will have to work if I'm trying to avoid debt. Other than that there would be tons of beer, plenty of fun, and new lady every night (maybe). A 4 year degree at a real University may be more recognized.

Cons: Missing out on the 4 - 5 years of senority plus I'll be much older when im ready to make peanuts at a regional and then there is a small chance I may miss this hiring boom and I'd be taking on boat loads of debt.

Option C. would be to finish all my flying and then CFI while in college then go to a regional but again that has the same cons as option A.

Why would you be in boat loads of debt with option A or C? If you are working through college, and instructing at the same time, where does the boat load of debt come from? If you go from zero time to CMEL and 250 TT to make it to a regional, then you will have a boat load of debt and a pretty pathetic salary to pay it off with.

I understand the seniority issue and wanting to get it as quickly as possible, but I would still finish college first.

 

[CaptChris]

:yeahthat: College was a lot of fun man. I couldn't imagine not having gone

I agree....

Do it---it's a great experience!!!

 

[ilove747s]

Wing_96 I won't need financing for my flight training. I have that all worked out. Bottom line is I don't want any debt due to the pathetic starting wages and I would probably need loans if I were to go to major university first.

 

[AngelFuree]

Oh man, the college experience is something I would never trade anything for! To be honest, the debt doesn't bother me too much. I feel it was worth the experience. I could never imagine doing some online degree stuff without actually going to a real college full of people, parties, girls...etc...:buck:

 

[ASpilot2be]

I think college is for some people, and not for others.

I hear about how much people enjoy college, and thats great. I personally hate college with a passion, and cant wait to be done. Sure I have met some cool people, but I am just not happy here.

 

[Wing_96]

Wing_96 I won't need financing for my flight training. I have that all worked out. Bottom line is I don't want any debt due to the pathetic starting wages and I would probably need loans if I were to go to major university first.

You could start at a community college where the tuition is much cheaper than a major university and then transfer in to keep your costs down. Do you have to stay in Austin? You could go to a school like San Jacinto College here in Houston and get your degree and pilot certificates at the same time.

I'm not sure why you have money for flying, but not for school?? There maybe some private details there or something that you can't disclose.

I have a friend who worked his way through college and his ratings. One of his jobs while he was in school was flying jump planes. He got to build time and earn money for school at the same time. Just stuff to think about...

 

[Wing_96]

I think college is for some people, and not for others.

I hear about how much people enjoy college, and thats great. I personally hate college with a passion, and cant wait to be done. Sure I have met some cool people, but I am just not happy here.

Maybe it's the school you're at? However, I do agree that college isn't for everybody. It all depends on what you want to do for a living and the level of education you want to attain.

 

[Velocipede]

Wing_96 I won't need financing for my flight training. I have that all worked out. Bottom line is I don't want any debt due to the pathetic starting wages and I would probably need loans if I were to go to major university first.

Then fire up the computer and head on down to the University of Phoenix.

 

[kellwolf]

Oh man, the college experience is something I would never trade anything for! To be honest, the debt doesn't bother me too much. I feel it was worth the experience. I could never imagine doing some online degree stuff without actually going to a real college full of people, parties, girls...etc...:buck:

Eh, I went to college and lived on campus. Other than meeting my wife my freshman year, it was a totally forgetable experience. About the only thing I took away from that was a serious case of burnout, my wife and some credits that transferred.

If you're doing it to learn or be able to check the box on an application, odds are the whole "college experience" thing isn't gonna live up to the hype. Now, if you're going for a social aspect, that might be different.

 

[killbilly]

Eh, I went to college and lived on campus. Other than meeting my wife my freshman year, it was a totally forgetable experience. About the only thing I took away from that was a serious case of burnout, my wife and some credits that transferred.

If you're doing it to learn or be able to check the box on an application, odds are the whole "college experience" thing isn't gonna live up to the hype. Now, if you're going for a social aspect, that might be different.

Y'know, there's a part of me that sorta looks back and wishes I'd gone to a 4-year college when I was 18, but it just wasn't in the cards at the time. Nowadays, I think it might be kinda fun, but I also think that some of the other freshmen might find it a little creepy to have me around.

The online degree thing is what I'm leaning toward as well.

 

[AngelFuree]

Eh, I went to college and lived on campus. Other than meeting my wife my freshman year, it was a totally forgetable experience. About the only thing I took away from that was a serious case of burnout, my wife and some credits that transferred.

If you're doing it to learn or be able to check the box on an application, odds are the whole "college experience" thing isn't gonna live up to the hype. Now, if you're going for a social aspect, that might be different.

You strike a good point.
However, I came for the college experience, to learn how to fly at the same time, to "check the box" on the application, and to instruct all at the same time. It can get busy but it's well worth it. I love the college atmosphere. Socializing is never hard when you're in college.

 

[kellwolf]

Socializing is never hard when you're in college.

Not necessarily. Socializing for me was VERY difficult, which is probably why I didn't enjoy the college experience like so many other people rave over. I came out of high school with a seriously low self esteem issue thanks to my class mates there, so I really didn't want to talk to too many people. Add to that I got planted with a poorly matched roommate, and I wasn't really having a good time until I stumbled into my future wife one evening in the dorm lobby. She more or less turned my around socially, but I wouldn't say it's never hard.