Changing careers and need some help!!

jay828

jay828

New Member
Hey everyone!!

First of all let me start by saying that I am new to the group and have enjoyed reading many of your posts. Seems like a cool group!! I am 33yrs old and the "bug" recently reemerged...I was in the AF frp, 89 - 93 as a F15 crew chief...Always loved planes but for some reason or another never pursued it as a career. Anyways have decided to pursue my dream of becoming and Airline Pilot. Starting from scratch...0 hrs. I have looked into a few programs and have decided that getting a degree along with my cert's is the way to go. Just wondering if anyone can give me some inside info in Jacksonville University's program with DCA. They have a Bachelors Degree in Aviation Management and Flight Operations that sounds OK. Did anyone graduate from JU? I am selling my home in NY and moving south. I also looked at Embry Riddle but heard that they have a lot of problems with getting your hrs in because planes are not always available. Anyways, let me know if you have any input for me, as far as the school, program, life in jacksonville, pros and cons, etc

Thanks
 
First off, welcome to the boards.

I don't know much about JU, but I live in JAX and am happy there. As far as ERAU is concerned, just check the Riddle threads and you can see some alumnis' (alumnus'?) opinions (mine included) of the debt vs. education there. Save your money and go the small school route. The key is to get in this industry with as little debt as possible. Get the degree as soon as possible, since when you finally start making money at this profession, you will not have much free time (hopefully, anyways) to pursue the piece of paper.

PM me if you have specific questions about JAX, other than that, just read as much about this industry as possible and make sure this is what you want to do...it's not the "glamorous pilot's life" like I keep telling people.:bandit: In my opinion, though, it's all worth it.

Good luck and ask away with questions after you read some college-specific and FBO/academy/whatever you plan to do to get your ratings threads.
 
Welcome to Jetcareers!!
You may want to give A.T.P. a try. Much cheaper than J.U. It is nice to see you are getting a degree. Just don't buy into the high dollar hype some schools will try and get you to fall for. If you are looking at thier flight school which is run by D.C.A. check out the forums on that particular flight school. You will get a whooooooooooooooooooooole lot of info. Blue skies to you!
 
I considered ATP as well but dont think they offer a degree program and I definitely will want ot go that route. That is why JU is my first option. But willing to look at all others prior to making a final decision, so any input is appreciated.

Thanks
 
Check out ASU, becoming a resident of Arizonia is easy. So you will not have to pay out of state tuition. They offer the pvt through mei, try not to do the Mesa thing. No one with 250 tt should be near a jet. But the facilities are nice and the living is cheap.
 
Do you have any idea where you want to live or are you just going to be moving for school?

The program where I graduated from was small and planes were always available. Total cost for 250 hours comm, cfi, cfii, and ME is 40K for out for out of state peeps but with a good gpa you drop that pretty quick.

I dont know how old you are right now but that might play into your decision. But starting now itll be 4 years before your degree and then another year or two instructing then a year or so 135 then if the airlines are still doing thier thing youll be on first year regional pay. So if, and i'm only guessing, your 35 now itll be at least 6 years before you see an airline and 8 before youll be able to really live half assed off your pay. This is a classic route though some have found shortcuts and whatnot.
 
I am looking into moving to Florida (at least for now). I was debating between going to Orlando and getting all my cert's thru DCA then while working as a CFI getting my degree online thru Everglades Univ or Embry Riddle. My other option is going to Jax Univ since they have a DCA program with a degree. Only thing is if I go to Jax, as per their admissions officer 3.5 - 4 yrs before I can work as a CFI. Any opinions? I am 33 yrs old and would prefer not to wait so long before I can start making some money as a pilot. So if anyone has any opinions I would appreciate any input.

Also does or has anyone lived in Orlando or Jax? If so which one and what do you think of living their?

Thanks!!
 
I think if you are making decent money right now, you should continue working and get an easy online degree from i.e. University of Phoenix, you should be able to knock it out within 3 yrs, especially you are prior AF. While you are doing that, you should get your PPL. Once you completed your degree, you should be able to become a CFI shorthly after that. I think this is your fastest ticket to the Regional.

BTW, are you married or have any kids?
 
eh have you checked into the prices of JU and DCA? JU is $20,000 per year for just tuition, multiply that by 4, plus books. DCA is running about $70-80k on the low side for private through MEI. Ask yourself if you really need a private school education and overpriced "airline standard" flight training when you can get it done 1/4 of the price.
 
Yes I am married but no kids. Minority pilot, then I am back in the same boat, JU tells me I can get my degree and my cert's in 3. yrs. Your saying basically the same deal...

So what do you suggest jaxpilot? I mean I can deal with the tuition if the programs are worth it. Just lookin to position myself with the best credentials with degree. I understand this is a long commitment I want to go the whole way to ATP, so I understand the costs involved.

Thanks everyone for their advice. I appreciate it.
 
First of all, talking about ERAU and DCA are talking apples and oranges. ERAU is a regular college that gives degrees ineverything from Business to aeronautics to political science. DCA is a flight school. They have an agreement with JU to give a degree but theyare strickly a flight school.

In order to be an airline pilot, a degree helps a lot. Its pretty much mandatory to be competitivie. But, you dont have to have a degree inan aviation related field. In fact, most people recommend getting a degree n a a non aviation field in case aviation doesnt work out or you loose your medical you have something to fall back on. Pilots have degrees in sociology, journalism, chemistry, whatever. It doesnt matter.

Also, formwhat I understand talking topeople, a lot of people that go toERAU dont even take flying lessons there. Its much cheaper to go to the local flight school andgetthe same certificates.

DCA is a flight school and they have an agreement with a local college to grant you a degree. a lot of flight schools do this. JU is a good school, but again, you dont really HAVE to go there. I would suggest getting a degree from anyplace you want, go to your local flight school or better yet, go to a air froce base and join the aero club and get your lisences for much cheaper than you would pay at a high price flight school. I have a commercial lisence andI never went to a big name flight school.
 
$$$

Most of the aviation schools will make you want to shoot yourself after realizing how much money they took from you! I recommend part 61 (local FBO) and a non-aviation degree. What happens if after you get into this, and spend $90K you realize that it sucks and would rather do something else? Part 61 generally costs less, but you have to be motivated to get through all your ratings in a descent amount of time(it's not structured like part 141). It all takes time. Please don't go PAY FOR TIME though, it just hurts everyone and you will be disliked greatly by many.

Good luck in whichever route you choose.

disclaimer: I went part 61. This post is extremely bias, just my 2 cents.
 
Thanks Trbysky Ill take it into consideration but I have been round lots of pilots (know the life) and like I posted before I worked on jets in the AF so I am pretty sure I will like the work!! Thanks for the input I really appreciate it!
 
SFLAX said:
Check out ASU, becoming a resident of Arizonia is easy. So you will not have to pay out of state tuition. They offer the pvt through mei, try not to do the Mesa thing. No one with 250 tt should be near a jet. But the facilities are nice and the living is cheap.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but did you say 250TT in control of a jet?

Please tell me you're kidding.

That is just crazy!!!

Nonetheless, if i had the 250 hours, i would so be all over that!:p
 
Bigey said:
I'm sorry, but did you say 250TT in control of a jet?

Please tell me you're kidding.

That is just crazy!!!

Nonetheless, if i had the 250 hours, i would so be all over that!:p
Click to expand...

Exception to military.
 
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