Whats the fastest way...?

[SFCC/UND]

Ozarks. I applied and got accepted back in 2000. I ended up going to Jacksonville University

Ozarks for some reason is scary to fly over. Funny thing is I almost when to JU, instead when to Everglades U I still love the beach.

 

[BajtheJino]

This addresses my point. Airline Pilot interviewers are looking for applicants that can do "a bunch of stuff" really well. They don't want someone who does just "one thing really well" or "a bunch of stuff half-assed." When pee-pee turns to ca-ca you gotta do MANY things perfect. Been there. Diversify.

I have no idea what this means. Pilot interviewers are looking for people that come with recommendations (sometimes), guys that have the right canned answer to all the TMAAT questions, and guys that can pass the sim/training. Besides, what "bunch of stuff" am I supposed to do to get a job?

 

[Douglas]

To the OP:

It took me three years of college to discern that speeding my way to a seniority list is something I really don't care to do at such a young age.
When I am a commercial pax, and the bored old captain comes on the PA and starts trying to sell me a credit card, I can't help to think 'this is the last place I want to work in aviation'.

Yes someday I will probably be at airlines, but for now I am having a blast flying small planes and looking into other unique and fun flying options prior to being stuck on an airline seniority list.

 

[typhoonpilot]

I wasn't being hostile at all. I just don't see the point in anyone getting a degree that is good for one thing anymore.

Even with no experience in the field, your name goes to the top of the pile of resumes of people with no experience. That can be the difference between getting an interview and never hearing from the company again.

You can put 500% into something if you want. Me? I'll be more than happy with contingency plans. ...there's a reason I file an alternate when the regs say I need to, and it isn't because the regs say I need to.

-mini

My points for getting an aviation degree are:

1) It is something that will be useful in your chosen career field.

2) You'll make contacts and friends inside the aviation community.

3) It's a degree you would have an interest in completing. This is a very important point since more the 50% of people who start college do not complete it.

When I say commit 100%, I mean to the career. That doesn't mean one doesn't have a life outside of their career. It does mean that you will make some sacrifices though.


Typhoonpilot

 

[typhoonpilot]

I completely disagree.

Don't commit to anything in your life 100% but your family With everything else, diversify as much as you possibly can. I can't imagine ONLY focusing on my life on flying. I'm not just a pilot, I'm also a musician, a philosopher, a very politically savy citizen, a mountain biker, a drummer, a husband, a son and a skier.


All those things together make me who I am. If I was to solely focus my life on airplanes throughout college, and now while I'm on furlough I'd probably hang myself.

Here's a question: Do you admire champion athletes or people who are at the top of their profession? If not, do you at least respect them?

Those people got there because they commited 100%. How many hours per day does Tiger Woods practice golf? He started at a very young age and has dedicated his life to golf? Does that make him a one trick pony? He seems like a pretty well rounded adult to me. Has a wife and family, enjoys other activites, but he has still commited 100% of his life to his chosen career field.

In the furlough of the early 90s I know many people, myself included, who stayed commited to aviation. Some went to work for Fedex as drivers, they now work for Fedex as pilots. Some went back to fueling airplanes at an FBO, they are now corporate pilots. In short, all those who stayed involved in aviation are now successful, myself included.

It's not an easy journey, and I do agree that the journey is half the fun, but unless you are commited to the field you will find reasons to drop out and go with that "back-up" plan. But what happens when that "back-up" doesn't work out as expected? Do you quit that as well?, then what?



Typhoonpilot

 

[stesta5074]

Go to law school, buy your own jet!

Do medical malpractice they make BANK.

 

[DC10FlyBy]

SLU but that is really hard to get into. Not to mention really expensive. I am also considering some other universities in missouri as well

Like what?

That is SLU. You may want to look into Central Missouri.

Yes, Parks College is SLU. I have a really good friend that I went to school with, and still lifeguard int he summer with that is in the Aviation program at UCM. He says it's the worst weather EVER. He just ended his freshman year, and has still not got his private. He said that many people are only able to fly once every two months. Yes, I was looking into UCM, as well.

Being from Missouri, one option I'd check is College of the Ozarks. I applied and got accepted back in 2000. I ended up going to Jacksonville University, couldn't stay away from the beach...

Here's part of an article from AOPA Flight Training.

"One of the most unusual collegiate flight programs is based at a small school in the hills of Missouri just outside Branson. The College of the Ozarks is home to some 65 pilots-in-training. As incredible as it sounds, at College of the Ozarks it is possible to earn a four-year degree and all certificates and ratings up to CFI for less than $20,000. How? The college bills itself as "Hard Work U."

The concept is simple. Rather than hiring outside workers to staff the school, students serve as janitors, landscapers, cafeteria servers, and more. Flight students start out in character-building positions such as those. As they progress, they can be assigned such jobs as line service technicians, customer service specialists, or rental car desk clerks at a full-service FBO that the college owns and operates. Thus, students can work off a good portion of their education expenses - including flight training costs - and gain experience for their resumes."

Wow! I never knew they had aviation there...
I also lifeguard with a freind that goes here, he's not in aviation, though. I went on a repelling trip here for NJROTC. It was pretty sweet, although the school is kind of lame and nasty. The cafeteria was old and gross-ish. I would deffinetely consider it, though!

 

[kiloalpha]

I have a really good friend that I went to school with, and still lifeguard int he summer with that is in the Aviation program at UCM. He says it's the worst weather EVER. He just ended his freshman year, and has still not got his private. He said that many people are only able to fly once every two months. Yes, I was looking into UCM, as well.

Wellll, if you think about collegiate aviation, it's centered around fall, winter, and spring. That gives you about 5-6 weeks of good weather (if you do this in the fall) do get a solo, then you have gamble on your x/c's, and finally get lucky in November/December to get your license.

I did a 2 year program and was hard core doing my X/C's because I knew the weather was not going to hold during the fall. All my X/C requirements were fulfilled in 4 days. I'm not defending UCM, but I'm just saying, unless you go to some fancy University in Flordia don't have expectations to finish quickly unless, you do the opposite and fly during the summer and stick to classes in the winter.

I'll admit, I was trying very hard to get everything up to my MEI in two years, but ended staying a summer to get it all done. My CFI dragged on a bit, but it was okay since I was offered a job there after I got it.

One more thing, like I said I was hardcore trying to get done. I was out at the airport almost everyday, flying or not. The class after me for some reason did not push and got stuck behind. Some are still there, 3 years in a 2 year program. Some just gave up.