Hey guys,
Any advice you all can offer will be greatly appreciated.
I'm a sophomore undergraduate student at the University of Texas in Austin, majoring in Philosophy and Plan II Honors (its an honors liberal arts degree basically...a lesser known program, but very competitive...visit the UT website if you're interested in learning more). I've wanted to fly my whole life, but gave up on the idea my senior year of high school when I decided I didn't want to go to the Air Force Academy and I learned of how difficult it was for my Dad to work his way into an Airline Position 25 years ago.
Now, I've decided that since aviation is still the only thing I've ever wanted to do for a living, I'm going to do it despite the challenges and "tricky" market (a term I use loosely to encompass the varying posts of read, some of which told of nightmares in the market today, others describing dreams come true).
Apart from currently working on my Private Pilot Certification, flying on a ton of American Airlines Flights (since Dad's a pilot, flying is super cheap until I graduate), and researching planes my entire life, I don't have any flight-specific training, certifications, or hours.
The plan I've come up with is to stick around at the university for another two years to finish up my B.A. (I've only got about 40 hours remaining after this semester for my B.A., so I'll either get a serious job or take as much math/physics/aerospace as I can before graduating), get as many certifications/ratings as time/money will allow for during that time (though until I get a better job, I'll only have about $15-20,000 left after I get my Private, so loans might have to play a factor), then hopefully come out flying the odd jobs to build hours fast so I can be hired by a regional carrier.
I don't really know how I'm going to afford all of this. Can anyone offer any advice? I've read a few ideas such as washing airplanes for flight time. It seems like the best way is to just start meeting a lot of people, especially those who happen to have enough money to own airplanes. I've also looked for some scholarships without a whole lot of luck, but I haven't searched too deeply yet.
Would anyone recommend a military route? I'm tossing around the idea of going through the Air National Guard since I don't think I sign my soul over to them, unlike I would have at the Academy.
My Dad took two years off from school to get a 2-year aviation degree. I'd prefer to avoid that, but woud anyone recommend that route, or any specific 2-year programs?
Please, do not post any replies to the tune of "Oh you're getting your degree? Good! Forget about aviation because the market sucks!" I'm well aware that the industry is not as glamorous as most people think, and I'm well aware of the challenges that await before I even get into the industry.
Any other advice will be warmly welcomed though.
Thanks,
Mike
Any advice you all can offer will be greatly appreciated.
I'm a sophomore undergraduate student at the University of Texas in Austin, majoring in Philosophy and Plan II Honors (its an honors liberal arts degree basically...a lesser known program, but very competitive...visit the UT website if you're interested in learning more). I've wanted to fly my whole life, but gave up on the idea my senior year of high school when I decided I didn't want to go to the Air Force Academy and I learned of how difficult it was for my Dad to work his way into an Airline Position 25 years ago.
Now, I've decided that since aviation is still the only thing I've ever wanted to do for a living, I'm going to do it despite the challenges and "tricky" market (a term I use loosely to encompass the varying posts of read, some of which told of nightmares in the market today, others describing dreams come true).
Apart from currently working on my Private Pilot Certification, flying on a ton of American Airlines Flights (since Dad's a pilot, flying is super cheap until I graduate), and researching planes my entire life, I don't have any flight-specific training, certifications, or hours.
The plan I've come up with is to stick around at the university for another two years to finish up my B.A. (I've only got about 40 hours remaining after this semester for my B.A., so I'll either get a serious job or take as much math/physics/aerospace as I can before graduating), get as many certifications/ratings as time/money will allow for during that time (though until I get a better job, I'll only have about $15-20,000 left after I get my Private, so loans might have to play a factor), then hopefully come out flying the odd jobs to build hours fast so I can be hired by a regional carrier.
I don't really know how I'm going to afford all of this. Can anyone offer any advice? I've read a few ideas such as washing airplanes for flight time. It seems like the best way is to just start meeting a lot of people, especially those who happen to have enough money to own airplanes. I've also looked for some scholarships without a whole lot of luck, but I haven't searched too deeply yet.
Would anyone recommend a military route? I'm tossing around the idea of going through the Air National Guard since I don't think I sign my soul over to them, unlike I would have at the Academy.
My Dad took two years off from school to get a 2-year aviation degree. I'd prefer to avoid that, but woud anyone recommend that route, or any specific 2-year programs?
Please, do not post any replies to the tune of "Oh you're getting your degree? Good! Forget about aviation because the market sucks!" I'm well aware that the industry is not as glamorous as most people think, and I'm well aware of the challenges that await before I even get into the industry.
Any other advice will be warmly welcomed though.
Thanks,
Mike
Go to med school, make lots o money, and buy you own plane!
