As a Riddle Alumni I had to put my two cents in on this one.
1.) I dont regret going to ERAU (Graduated in 1992), but like many posts have said, it is VERY expensive! I am still paying off the student loans. The education was good and I had some very quality instructors and a few I didnt get along with. However, at the time the price per course reflected an amount of flight hours for a WAY above average student and I incurred additional costs in extra training. (Dont know if this has changed since then). Also I WAS NOT happy with their career center once I graduated. However, when I returned in 1998 to obtain my CFI-CFII it had improved dramatically. It also appears the alumni network is improving also.
2.) There are other quality flight schools out there, where if cost is an object, you might want to think about. I have personally flown with people from UND (University of North Dakota) and Western Michigan and they were all quality flyers. I didnt see a great difference between them and Riddle guys. I have also seen good,professional pilots who got their ratings at a local FBO. So, I dont think it is so much the school as the quality of the instructor.
3.) Many people say the Riddle name will give you an edge in finding a job. I only found this true with the early part of my career. The fact is that getting a good pilot job is more a function of: Experience, hours, ratings and how well you network. Whether you went to ERAU or the school of hard knocks (As long as you have a degree) is irrelevant.
4.) Finally, before you undertake this career, make sure you REALLY LOVE IT! If you are trying to be a pilot for the money, then go to something else. The road (especially on the civillian side) is long and often hard. It takes time to get into the jets, unless you are VERY lucky. Flying is more a passion than a career and you have to be dedicated to it nearly 100 percent. If you do decide to enter this field and you love it then wellcome to an exclusive club that I am proud to belong to.
Good luck in your career.
