Alternate career path

[AZaviator]

Once you get, the hours for a Comm rating get your Comm and then a MEL rating. Go to a Certificate mill, pay the bucks get it done. Then find somewhere flying a CA-212 to something needing a F/O, doing sky diving or something, volunteer to sit in the right seat for peanuts. Go where the job is. Be gracious. QUOTE]

Ok, say you skip college and get your ratings. Then decide to whore yourself out and fly right seat a sweet CASA 212 for $10k/yr to build up flight time. AFter a few months of that, you decide flying isn't for you...or perhaps the inevitable happens and you lose your medical. Then what do you do? You are most likely in debt thousands of dollars without a college degree. Kind of makes you wish you did have that degree as a backup, eh?

I got my degree before finishing up my ratings just to have as a backup incase I decided flying wasn't for me. I think that's the best reason to get a college degree! Just my $.02

 

[pilotyip]

Pro-college for a career outside of flying

AZ exactly the way I think. It has been posted that I am anti-college degree. Nothing cold is further from the truth. The country needs all the college educated citizens it can have, its raises the level of knowledge to keep this as the greatest country in the world. Real degrees in business, engineering, the sciences, math, and medicine provide a graduate with marketable skills. If you are going to go to college, get a real degree from a real university. Do not spend four years getting a degree in aviation technology or Women’s Studies. However this is not an engineering forum, this is an aviation forum. The college degree has nothing to do with flying an airplane. Many have posted they agree it has nothing to do with the mastering on an airplane. I have admitted that the possession of a degree may open doors at a few select places of employment in the airline industry. If a potential pilot feels they will only be pleased in life if they get an interview with UPS, then that prospective pilot should go to college. Air Inc advertises that 175 airlines and assorted aviation companies are recruiting right now, I only see two that make the degree a showstopper. My assertion that runs contrary to the ‘College is a must” crowd, is that to be competitive for the other 172 places the degree is not necessary. If a prospective pilots just loves flying airplanes, and would be happy making $70-$100K per year with no debt from college loans, a college degree is not necessary. Many prospective pilots may be steered into attending college when they are not college material, not because of a lack basic intelligence, but because it is not important to them. These pilots want to get on with their lives flying airplanes. I have seen too many non-degreed pilots reach a good career position with out a degree, like NWA, AirTran, Spirit, UAL, etc. But then my focus is on job satisfaction and not upon pay, respect, and prestige. It is about the joy of flying an airplane. Others out there may feel the same motivation I do. If you loose your medical with a degree in avaition techology that is 7 years old, are you any better off than a guy without a degree?

 

[Wolffman]

Give up flying. I did after 150 hrs. Best thing I ever did.

 

[Flyin Tony]

6 years of high school?

fill us in..

HAHA today was my last day... Just a half year behind ..... I was more into the girls and party sceen, and still am. For my last year I did the homeschool thing. I go when I want. I think I learned more doing that then in the reg Highschool. But the main thing I was getting social security because my Dad is a old timer at 67. 800$ a month helps out a lot for paying for the gas. But there was alot of hot girls and that doesnt help any.

 

[pilotyip]

Wolfman, exactly

Exactly, is wolfman happy he got out of flying early and not after spending four years in an Avaition Technology degree program?

 

[T-REX]

I was trying to bite my lip--but c'mon Pilotyip how can you tell these kids to drop out of school? Yes! there are a lot of good companies out there that do not require a degree but why limit yourself The way the majors are going, those top jobs are just going to be tougher and tougher to get with plenty of qualified jet pilots out there. Why put yourself at a disadvantage??

 

[pilotyip]

I am not encouraging anyone in the 95% who feel college is right for them to drop out, I am only encouraging the 5% who do not want to go to college they can still have a career flying. Big difference, see previous thread on why a college degree is so important to a potential knowledge worker.

 

[Vik]

College is great .. beer, parties, wemen! I can't wait to retire and go again!

 

[Fly BI]

Yip,

I'm with you. I've been working on my degree piecemeal for the past decade. My military service and experience at several aviation companies (pre-pilot) has really built character for me. I truly resent the fact that I need a stupid piece of paper to be qualified to be a professional pilot. That said, I cannot get around the prejudices of an HR department. So I slowly work toward that degree with online classes and a bitter attitide. I've just accepted that I have to get it done. Maybe when I have enough time to get on at FedEx, I'll have it done. I just wish my life's experiences would count for more.

...gin & vermouth...with a splash of olive juice. Now that's a martini!

 

[BoilerUP]

HAHA today was my last day... Just a half year behind ..... I was more into the girls and party sceen, and still am. For my last year I did the homeschool thing. I go when I want. I think I learned more doing that then in the reg Highschool. But the main thing I was getting social security because my Dad is a old timer at 67. 800$ a month helps out a lot for paying for the gas. But there was alot of hot girls and that doesnt help any.

ummmmmmmmmmmm...

You didn't graduate high school on time? You had to be homeschooled in order to graduate high school?? And you want to be a professional pilot??? WTF OVER

Your daddy bought you a plane to fly and builds time and even pays for the gas, and you can't even get yourself together enough to graduate HIGH SCHOOL on time. "Because i was more into the girls and party scene". Dude you can sleep through 6 of 7 hours of class in high school and still pass with a 2.0 if you do half your homework. I know, I was there not too long ago.

I'm not resentful of you because your parents bought you an airplane, but I admit I am envious. Things would have been much easier for me if my parents were into aviation that much. I just hope you realize daddy's money won't always be there to help you along. Good luck in your future career, from what I have read, you may need it.