Spending Money

SmitteyB

SmitteyB

Well-Known Member
Hi Guys;
My name is Brett Smithling and I'll be 19 years old in December...I'm a freshman at the State University of New York at Tompkins Cortland working on my Aeronautical Science degree. My training time is absolutely obsurd. By the time I complete my PPL, INS, COMM, CFI then transfer..I'm afraid I'm going to be in diapers again. I know for a fact I need to go south and I will most likely end up doing that. The problem is $$. Loans. Cash. I'm really looking at Regional Airline Academy...now don't bash them. They're price is realatively low compared to DCA, ERAU, etc. I'm concerned about committing the money. I don't want to complete my type ratings and certifcates at RAA and be 85k+ in debt.

My general question is basically...Is it possible to pay off the loan? What if I get done with my ratings, ready to go to the airlines and theres no jobs. I'll tell you what...I start getting a bill for $600.00/month. RAA will keep me on as an instructor as long as I want to stay, but only on a $1,500/month salary. Not my idea of a good time.

Really concerned. I don't like any airplane bigger than a 732 so my I don't really plan on going to the majors because there is plenty of money in the regionals...should the industry recover. I'm dying here...please help.


Brett Smithling
 
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Really concerned. I don't like any airplane bigger than a 732

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I really didn't like DC-9's...
 
A few suggestions: <ul type="square"> [*]Read this entire site. Twice.
[*]Change your major to something you can fall back on if/when aviation doesn't work out.
[*]Forget you ever heard of Regional Airline Academy.
[*]Go visit your local FBO. And/or aribenaviator.com.
[*]And/or www.allatps.com (and/or any number of the other fine JetCareers advertisers
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). [/list]You'll discover that you can get where you want to go for far less than what RAA wants.
 
Why are some people so attracted to these academies? What's so hard about getting your ratings at a local flight school? I'm not in much of a position to talk, as I haven't had the opportunity to be where some of you guys are. But instead of thinking there are shortcuts, take it slow and enjoy your flying while you build your time.
 
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Why are some people so attracted to these academies? What's so hard about getting your ratings at a local flight school? I'm not in much of a position to talk, as I haven't had the opportunity to be where some of you guys are. But instead of thinking there are shortcuts, take it slow and enjoy your flying while you build your time.

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I got my private at a local FBO, but when I decided to make a career of it, I wanted to get started as quickly as possible. The primary reason I chose an academy is that Key Bank will only loan you the money if the school you want to attend is accredited. So, it was either pay out of pocket at the FBO, which I couldn't do, or go to an academy, and repay for the rest of my natural life.
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G
 
My college is through the local FBO. At this rate its going to take 7 months per rating and twice as much the price. RAA and DCA offer the type ratings...
 
It's twice the price because your college is padding the cost. Change majors, don't do your flight training THROUGH your college, and you'll save money.
 
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A few suggestions:
Read this entire site. Twice.
Change your major to something you can fall back on if/when aviation doesn't work out.
Forget you ever heard of Regional Airline Academy.
Go visit your local FBO. And/or aribenaviator.com.
And/or www.allatps.com (and/or any number of the other fine JetCareers advertisers ).
You'll discover that you can get where you want to go for far less than what RAA wants.

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yeahthat.gif
Can I get an Amen from the flock !!!
 
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It's twice the price because your college is padding the cost. Change majors, don't do your flight training THROUGH your college, and you'll save money.

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You can't find funding that way. And the academies aren't that much more. And you're getting trained to airline standards. Not considering the guarenteed interview. Now true it's just a way of getting you to come...but I'd definitely rather have a guarenteed interview then have nothing getting my MELs from a mom and pop airport.
 
You don't need a type rating to get hired at the regionals. How could you possibly pay more to fly at a college flight school than DCA? I'm not sure I believe that....
 
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You don't need a type rating to get hired at the regionals. How could you possibly pay more to fly at a college flight school than DCA? I'm not sure I believe that....

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ERAU is quotting $165,000.
 
I think the 'guaranteed interview' thing will be cleared up after scanning the website a little. Aloft summed it up very well.

If you're a fan of "The Big Lebowski", here's a quote that reminds me of institutions that advertise a "guaranteed interview":

"You want a toe? I can get you a toe. Believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don't want to know about it, believe me. Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon. With nail polish."
 
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You can't find funding that way. And the academies aren't that much more. And you're getting trained to airline standards. Not considering the guarenteed interview. Now true it's just a way of getting you to come...but I'd definitely rather have a guarenteed interview then have nothing getting my MELs from a mom and pop airport.

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You're wrong on just about every point you make here, and it's clear you're buying the marketing hype. Do what I said: read this entire site. Twice. You CAN get funding for training at other than the college programs and big-dollar academies. You AREN'T trained to "airline standards" at any of them. Guaranteed interviews mean NOTHING.

Don't feel bad, most of us came here thinking the military/Riddle/UND/FlightSafety/DCA/etc were the ONLY ways to an airline career. But thanks to the Reverend Taylor, we've seen the light, the Lord has shared His Truth with us, and we have been Saved from the evil of unscrupulous training operations like RAA's twin, Airline Training Academy, Gulfstream, TAB Express and others. Can a brotha hear a little "Hallelujah"? Can a brotha hear a little "Praise the Lord"?
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Just start reading through the forums, dude. It's all here.
 
"And you're getting trained to airline standards"

So what....

That's just dumb marketing lingo. You need to put down the Flight Training magazine. DCA uses old 152's and CFI's that were private pilots six months ago. Not that's there's anything really wrong with that (I own a 152), but to think you get training at such a school that is equal to airline training is a farce. Just cause you have to wear a uniform in your 152 doesn't mean you're training to airline standards.

Do you know what the requirements are to get the guaranteed interview at DCA?
 
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Don't feel bad, most of us came here thinking the military/Riddle/UND/FlightSafety/DCA/etc were the ONLY ways to an airline career.

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Da*n, I was like the poster child!!!!!!

Eventually, I am working a regular 9-5, just to pay for flight lessons and I will be able to rent a plane to fly me and my family around for fun during training. Choose whatever route you feel most comfortable with, but you definitely should open up your options to what's been posted.
 
Please listen to what these guys have to say!

These are people who've been in the industry a long time, and know what they're talking about.

They're not talking through the rose-colored glasses of marketing, they're talking out of years of real-life experience!
 
Smitty:

If you absolutely want to get your training done under 141 and get an aviation BS consider Western Michigan University in Battle Creek / Kalamazoo, Michigan. http://www.wmich.edu/aviation They are not as high priced as some other places.

Personally I would get a degree you could fall back on and do your training under part 61 at a local FBO. That would be thr most economical way to go.

Don't think about getting rich quick either. You are going to have to pay your dues which ever route you take.

Just an FYI about the RAA interviews. That is all it is. You don't automatically get the job. If the times are down you will get the interview then the proverbial: thanks will keep that on file.

Please read this board a lot. There is a wealth of info here and some of us have had to learn things the hard way in this industry.
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Good Luck

PS AMEN ! JEP
 
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A few suggestions:
Read this entire site. Twice.
Change your major to something you can fall back on if/when aviation doesn't work out.
Forget you ever heard of Regional Airline Academy.
Go visit your local FBO. And/or aribenaviator.com.
And/or www.allatps.com (and/or any number of the other fine JetCareers advertisers ).
You'll discover that you can get where you want to go for far less than what RAA wants.

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truer words have not been spoken.
 
Okay Gentlemen...I understand what you're talking about. But all I hear from airline recruiters and other pilots say that the FBOs are a waste of time. They dont have the placements that the academies do. I've read the site. And haven't read too many success stories of people going FBO and making it to the airlines. I want a job, and not to be instructing at that FBO for a year or two flying 152's building time. The whole reason I brought up this topic is because the FBO isn't working right now..and all I hear is go to an FBO. I am..its too slow. 4 months on my private and only 8 hours. You'd be a little distressed too.

B
 
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