Aviation College to Major Airline Rate

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BeechBen44

Active Member
What is the success rate of people who go to big aviation colleges, such as Riddle or UND, that go from no flying time, to a major airline pilot?

I can't imagine it's high right? How many quit flying, or have to drop out of Riddle due to finical issues? Even if they make it to CFI, I'm sure A LOT of people have to pursue another career path due to the debt that acquire?

I'm not looking for official stats, just first hand experience/thoughts.

Side note: I'm young and debt free, I live okay, but I couldn't imagine having a 600$+ per month student loan, plus other expenses.
 
UND Claims 96% of its aviation graduates are working in the industry. I have no idea how many are at major airlines. The attrition rate is really high freshman year but I think most people who make it to CFI are pretty committed to aviation. -You can't just pursue a different career if you need more money because you can't get a high paying job in another industry with an aviation degree. It's better to be a low paid CFI or regional airline pilot than a really low paid mcdonalds worker. Although I've heard window washing is a good gig ;)
 
True. Is there really a demand for that many aerospace engineers? I'm sure we won't see a hiring spree in the ATC industry either..
 
I have a degree in communications... film making. From a Jesuit university - I did all of my ratings Part 61. 1st flight lesson - 7/09/2001, hired at B6 7/2011. Worked in air cargo, worked as a traveling loadmaster, 4 years as a flight instructor, 4 years at the regionals, a couple of years in freight/charter... and now a 'major airline pilot.' 10 years -almost- to the day from starting. Other people's results may vary.

My only thought... I worked while I did my lessons, I worked while teaching, I have always worked... no training loans, no student loans. I had a rainy day fund that get depleted during my two furloughs. I even fell into debt because of a few years on first year pay... and we got out of the hole from that last year. Do it without debt and your life will be better. Have a 'fallback' degree or something else that you can do to make money. For me, it was air cargo - import-export. Again, your results may vary.
 
I don't know what the rate of success is, but the major airlines don't care if you went to ERAU or West Georgia University. That said, keeping your debt down as you work the entry level jobs can play a major role in your success. That goes for any job really.
 
Guys dropped like flies out of my community college. Only a couple from my class of 20 or so are still flying.
 
The guys that were on my floor of the dorm at Riddle, I'd say a handful stayed a second year and out of those people only a few actually work in the business.

The big thing is don't "go to college to become an airline pilot".

Go to college for the experience and the degree, in whatever you would like and whatever you think is worth committing four years of your life to.

You'll be fine.

A lot of people wash out or just drift off course. I know a lot of highly-educated bartenders, cruise ship DJ's and insurance salesmen that I went to Riddle with.
 
Derg said:
A lot of people wash out or just drift off course. I know a lot of highly-educated bartenders, cruise ship DJ's and insurance salesmen that I went to Riddle with.
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Yeah, I've seen that a lot, mostly with guys who got into something else right after college, started making decent money, and now just can't take the pay cut to get back into flying. One good friend of mine from Riddle graduated and started selling cars up in the Bay Area...he definitely made better money than I did right off the bat (and definitely still does now that he's a sales manager), so it had nothing to do with him failing to progress. He just got sidetracked and makes a good living doing other stuff now.

Another friend of mine quit aviation with about 5000 hours and heavy jet experience (from a non-major) to go be a mortgage broker. Makes significantly more than I do, and is home every night. He could have easily gotten himself to a major if he'd wanted.
 
Derg said:
A lot of people wash out or just drift off course. I know a lot of highly-educated bartenders, cruise ship DJ's and insurance salesmen that I went to Riddle with.
Click to expand...

I was getting my car fixed at a shop, and as I talked to the owner I found out he was an alum from my school, and he had his Instrument, CSEL & CMEL, and A&P, but he ended being the owner of a mechanic shop to fix cars. He hasn't flown a plane since school.

I know for flying, your options are limited, but I hear if you got your A&P and have some maintenance background, it is versatile to other industries such as auto and railroad industries where they need mechanics.
 
HVYMETALDRVR said:
Well, partial deferment on one loan and military paying the other, so it would normally be about 460. I have a couple friends who have zero debt and enjoy a great QOL. How I am jealous...
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I'm jealous of your $460. I'm at $1476/mo. :eek:
 
It can be done somewhat cost effectively. I went to Riddle, graduated in '08, and I am debt-free.


GO. TO. COMMUNITY. COLLEGE. BEFORE. YOU. GO. ANYWHERE. ELSE. Riddle or otherwise.



Go back and re-read that last line. I went to community college the last two years of high school. The state paid for it, and I was at school 3 hours per day instead of 7 like all of the suckers at the high school. I had an Associate's degree before I had a high school diploma. Saved buckets of cash.



Incidentally, of the people I knew in my graduating class, I think myself and maybe three others are still flying. Maybe a handful more. 2008 was a bad year to graduate and start looking for a job...
 
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