PurduePilot
New Member
I've got a problem, here, folks. I was wondering if any of you "old-timers" out there can help me.
I'm faced with a dilemma, and let me line it out for you guys.
I'm going into my Senior year next year, with a planned graduation of May 2004. I am in Aviation Administration, at Purdue University, with a focus in Air Traffic Control. I have asked for my name to be passed along to the FAA for consideration to be hired as a controller. However, that's not what I want to do. My ultimate goal, surprise... surprise, is to become an airline pilot.
The FAA is forecast to hire around 1,200 next year and that is one career path that I'm certain to get job in and keep.
My other option, which I'm seriously considering, is becoming a customer service agent with any airline and earn enough money to finish up my licenses/ratings at ATP and then try to find a job somewhere with my newly earned CFIs.
If this wasn't complicated enough there's a cavet in here. If I have my name passed on to the FAA and then they call me and I turn them down I have just turned down my one chance to become an Air Traffic Controller.
I can opt to have my not passed on to the FAA, but as a candidate for "preferred" hiring only lasts for 2 years after my graduation date. After two years have elapsed, I have to apply with all the regular folks and that's no guarantee that my resume will even get looked at.
Also, my parents are just about forcing me into the ATC track. If I do become an ATCer, I can pretty much kiss my goal of becoming airline pilot away. It's not really a job you can easly dump for new career objectives. Nor will it give me the time to earn my licenses and ratings.
So, to wrap up... although I have railed against becoming an ATCer, I do like the stability of the job and not having to write a resume... but I still want to become an airline pilot. Here, I turn to you guys for advice.
I'd like to hear all comments here.
Thank you!
I'm faced with a dilemma, and let me line it out for you guys.
I'm going into my Senior year next year, with a planned graduation of May 2004. I am in Aviation Administration, at Purdue University, with a focus in Air Traffic Control. I have asked for my name to be passed along to the FAA for consideration to be hired as a controller. However, that's not what I want to do. My ultimate goal, surprise... surprise, is to become an airline pilot.
The FAA is forecast to hire around 1,200 next year and that is one career path that I'm certain to get job in and keep.
My other option, which I'm seriously considering, is becoming a customer service agent with any airline and earn enough money to finish up my licenses/ratings at ATP and then try to find a job somewhere with my newly earned CFIs.
If this wasn't complicated enough there's a cavet in here. If I have my name passed on to the FAA and then they call me and I turn them down I have just turned down my one chance to become an Air Traffic Controller.
I can opt to have my not passed on to the FAA, but as a candidate for "preferred" hiring only lasts for 2 years after my graduation date. After two years have elapsed, I have to apply with all the regular folks and that's no guarantee that my resume will even get looked at.
Also, my parents are just about forcing me into the ATC track. If I do become an ATCer, I can pretty much kiss my goal of becoming airline pilot away. It's not really a job you can easly dump for new career objectives. Nor will it give me the time to earn my licenses and ratings.
So, to wrap up... although I have railed against becoming an ATCer, I do like the stability of the job and not having to write a resume... but I still want to become an airline pilot. Here, I turn to you guys for advice.
I'd like to hear all comments here.
Thank you!