Advice for an up-and-coming pilot

AlecL said:
Hi all!
I have been interested in aviation for a long time, and now that I am in high school, I have begun flying. I want to go to ERAU (Daytona Beach), get my degree in something, and then fly for the airlines. This has probably been asked a million times, but do you have any advice? Should I look at other colleges? What airline connection programs are there, aside from ERAU/KAP/JBU?
Thank you very much for your input.
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a. If you have the loot for Riddle, which would be amazing if you did because I'd say "damn!", you can get some decent connections out of it and, for better or for worse, some airlines prefer "university aviation" program applicants.
b. However, I suggest finding a solid state college, study something non-aviation that you're also passionate about and enjoy a real college experience. Fly on the side.

I can't poo poo Riddle because I go some success out of it, met some of my best friends to this day there and it helped me. But if you bring commitment, passion and the social skills to get yourself professionally networked, you will succeed at any university in and career field.
 
Let's see....spend $200K+ for a college degree in "aviation", plus the expense of flight training for absolutely "zero" guarantee of a quality paying job at the end of the tunnel. Yep, where do I sign up?!? If that's not a recipe for financial disaster I don't know what is....

My advice, sit down and really think about achieving your goals as cheaply as possible. That includes going to a community college for a couple years and then transferring to a state school to finish. Getting your flight training at a local FBO instead of paying for the same training at an overly expensive university. Going the community college route or smaller in state college plus flight training on the side would probably be cheaper than going to ERAU.

The airlines really don't care where you received your training or what your degree is in. I can count on one hand the number of times in my career when someone asked me where I went to school or what my degree was in. Why would you pay $200K+ if you're able to do the same thing for roughly half that amount? Don't be fooled by the pretty glossy brochures promising the world and all you have to do is sign over your first born. Remember, unless you or your parents are very wealthy, that money, plus interest, has to be paid back after graduation. Go cheap.

I'm not bashing ERAU. I'm sure it's a fine school. I fly with folks who graduated from there. Just don't discount smaller and cheaper alternatives because someone put a bug in your ear that in order to fly for the airlines you have to attend an expensive "aviation" school.

I went to a relatively cheap no-name state school with a non aviation degree and got all my GA flight training at a small ma and pa FBO using a C150/C152. As a current MD11 Capt, it never seemed to hamper my career goals or progression.
 
Someone said it earlier but can't stress enough to get a first class medical NOW. That way you know if you have anything that might set you back....even before your private xride.

Had a classmate get through all of freshman year then find out he was color blind and they would only give him a class 2....had to rethink his whole career and major.
 
ERAU was great for me, but I can't imagine going there strictly on loans. It's just not worth it. BUT if you have the means to go, the people you meet and befriend are going to be some of the best resources you can have in this world. It's an aviation nerd's paradise which I loved. I don't deny my passion like some folks :)

It sounds weird, but this forum is the single best tool you can have as someone building towards a career in aviation. There's a few debbie downers, but if you listen to everyone and draw your own conclusions from this group, you should have a good time.

-Enroll in the best college you can afford (doesn't matter where/what/or if they have an aviation program)
-Pick a major that you are interested in and think can be a viable career option. It really helps to do something that can get you motivated because if you are like me, school is not very easy to get through, especially when it's classes that are not my type.
-Start primary flight training local to where you end up, pay CASH
-Graduate college, get your CFI in that time if you can (bonus if you can start instructing during college)
-Teach flying full time, fly aerial survey, or whatever time building is recommended at the time.
-The rest is up to you in the direction you wish to take in the vast world of flying jobs.

All of this I think is meant for the "perfect world." It rarely is as easy as 1-2-3, but you get the idea.


Derg said:
I suggest finding a solid state college
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I suggest solid state hard drives. haha
 
Arizona State University has an aviation program...
ASU-girls.jpg


Need I say more.....

In all seriousness, welcome to Jetcareers! Make sure to do all the research you can prior to going somewhere like ERAU as others have said. I went to a two year college program which included flight training, I am about to transfer those credits to Liberty and knock out the online degree since I have no interest in spending any more time in school.
 
JDean3204 said:
Arizona State University has an aviation program...
ASU-girls.jpg


Need I say more.....

In all seriousness, welcome to Jetcareers! Make sure to do all the research you can prior to going somewhere like ERAU as others have said. I went to a two year college program which included flight training, I am about to transfer those credits to Liberty and knock out the online degree since I have no interest in spending any more time in school.
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I retract my previous "this" and would like to apply it to "this" post. And if anyone has any questions about ASU and the flight program, feel free to ask.
 
JDean3204 said:
Arizona State University has an aviation program...
ASU-girls.jpg


Need I say more.....

In all seriousness, welcome to Jetcareers! Make sure to do all the research you can prior to going somewhere like ERAU as others have said. I went to a two year college program which included flight training, I am about to transfer those credits to Liberty and knock out the online degree since I have no interest in spending any more time in school.
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Also number 1 school with STDs...



Remember those pretty ladies come with a ticket...

All jokes aside...I toured ASU about 4 years ago. They had an awesome Level-D Sim but I heard their flight program is through ATP now? Anyone know if that's true? The poly tech campus was very poor looking and lots of males too I believe but free shuttle to the main campus.
 
tcco94 said:
All jokes aside...I toured ASU about 4 years ago. They had an awesome Level-D Sim but I heard their flight program is through ATP now? Anyone know if that's true? The poly tech campus was very poor looking and lots of males too I believe but free shuttle to the main campus.
Click to expand...

I toured ASU probably around 2002 or so, and Sinbad was on my tour with his daughter. That's how COOL that school is. ;)
 
JDean3204 said:
Arizona State University has an aviation program...
ASU-girls.jpg


Need I say more.....

In all seriousness, welcome to Jetcareers! Make sure to do all the research you can prior to going somewhere like ERAU as others have said. I went to a two year college program which included flight training, I am about to transfer those credits to Liberty and knock out the online degree since I have no interest in spending any more time in school.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but Embry Riddle has hot tubs.
man-sausage-fest.jpg
 
I did part 61, and went to college for a degree outside of aviation. Worked well for me. Graduated withvery little debt, and have a backup in case the FAA medical thing stops working for me.
 
As I am sure you have learned, all pilots have their .02 to share! I would say some of my biggest advice would be like others have said and get a good non-aviation degree from school. That will give you a backup plan if things go South. Personally, I have used my "backup"degree the past two years right out of school. I did not plan originally to do that, but it worked out well. It has worked great for me because it has allows me to be secure financially and get established. I am going to leave all of the security of it in 8 months as I swap over to becoming (hopefully) a full time CFI. The good thing is though that you will always have that back-up skill there. Heck, with my degree I could honestly swing some type of side gig making extra cash to supplement poor starting pilot pay. I would also suggest getting that degree in something you would enjoy if you had to do it (you may have to do that one day!). Also, once you get that degree try to keep it current with whatever continuing education you can. That way if things go South you may have more success in the job market even though you would have been out of school X number of years.

In regards to 141... Honestly that is a very fast way to the airlines, especially since you can get a CFI gig with the school. That will give you s lot of students so you can build a lot of time quick. The primary downside I would say is the huge costs and the lack of a backup plan.... It's always good to have a backup plan.

Good luck to you. Most pilots are whiners, yet most of them wouldn't ever do anything else. That doesn't mean that all of their complaints aren't warranted. I let it get under my skin at first, so just take note of that. Don't let a single other person talk you out of this career except you. Do your own research (like you currently are) and make sure the cons of flying seem worth it to you. If you love to fly and have a strong passion for it, then you should definitely give it a shot. If you get to the airlines and hate the lifestyle, then that backup degree can help you still provide for the wife and kids every night. You don't want to have that feeling of the little boy looking through the fence at the playground when you are 50 and driving past the airport. Feel free to reach out anytime.
 
All this hate for ERAU... I went to Riddle in Daytona and people are right when they say don't just get a degree in aviation. However, Riddle does have a fantastic A&P curriculum which is cheaper than any other school in the country (Just the A&P certs, not the degree). You could do that and pursue your flight certs somewhere else keeping it within budget. So, if god forbid, something happen to your medical, at least you'll have your A&P to drop back on and not to mention, it's a great resume bullet!
 
I am amazed at all the advice to get a non-aviation degree. Do you realize how easy and enjoyable college is when you go for the career you want to pursue. You get credits for flying!

I doubt I'd be in a very good position to be an accountant if I had gotten an accounting degree 15 years ago. Seems pretty worthless to get a degree that you don't plan to use.

I do understand that people want something to fall back on, but I think that you will be just fine with an aviation degree.
 
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