finishing degree while junior FO?

[gliderguider]

I was wondering what it's like to be a junior FO at a Regional while trying to complete a college degree online. Currently I'm about half way through an Aviation degree at a 4 year University. School is fun and all, but I would really like to make the move up to a Regional and get about a 2 year jump on seniority, and complete my degree online. Have any of you guys out there done this, and how well do programs like UVSC and ERAU fit into the busy life of a junior FO? Would this be something I would regret later in life? Thanks to those who reply

 

[Lear60Guy]

This is a tough one, but since you are on here soliciting opinions, here is mine.. You should switch to a non-aviation related degree then stick it out and finish it full time at the school... Seniority is good, but if down the road you go somewhere else and get furloughed or lose your medical or whatever, You won't regret having taken the extra time to develop your backup plan. You shouldn't jump on an opportunity just because it is there. A lot of times its better to stick it out where you are and wait for something better.

 

[fastback]

I was wondering what it's like to be a junior FO at a Regional while trying to complete a college degree online. Currently I'm about half way through an Aviation degree at a 4 year University. School is fun and all, but I would really like to make the move up to a Regional and get about a 2 year jump on seniority, and complete my degree online. Have any of you guys out there done this, and how well do programs like UVSC and ERAU fit into the busy life of a junior FO? Would this be something I would regret later in life? Thanks to those who reply

Trying to finish up your degree while working at a regional is a great idea, if you can make it work. Hopefully all of your classes are online. I don't see it possible to pass a traditional off-line class while going through training or reserve, even if class and class are in the same place [even if you're a Psych major studying how obsessive-compulsive behavior combines with claustrophobia to create a condition known as supertoolius-anulus].

As far as completing a 4-year aviation degree, let me give you some 20/20 hindsight. Thinking that a 4-year degree in aviation is going to get you ahead in the airline industry is about as messed up as doing your weight and balance using Chinese arithmetic. Save your money, and complete a degree in another discipline [something interesting or productive]. You can be happy in this business, but your happiness will depend upon your attitude and the choices you make throughout your career. Best to you.

 

[Boris Badenov]

There will be a day when you wish never to see another airplane in your life. Yes, there will. Plan accordingly. Get a degree in something that interests you, get drunk, study, get laid. There will be plenty of time to be a bitter regional pilot later.

 

[pilotyip]

For the “College Only” crowd, there are many ways to skin a cat. There is a time tested path where I have seen too many people succeed. That is fly full time, do your degree on the side, build time, build your resume. You are taking the right path of getting out of the classroom and into the cockpit; you might even find a job that the company gives you money for going to school. If you want to be a pilot you fly airplanes. I will not debate the fall back value of a college degree, as I have stated many times it is nearly worthless after not being used for 20 years. Here is some of the latest Air Inc hiring stats from Kit. Percent of hires with no 4-yr degree, AirTran 12%, CAL 9%, DHL 33%, Jet Blue 18% and SWA 7%. Are those not good jobs? In addition, to take this one step further if 95% of the pilots applying have four yr degrees and those airline hiring non 4 yr degree pilots in the 7% to 33% range. It would tend to support that the degree is not all that important in getting a good airline job.

 

[great cornholio]

I finished my degree online with ERAU. And it actually worked out pretty nice. Unlike being on campus at ERAU they actually seem to want to try to help you out and get you closer to the degree everyday instead of giving you the Riddle Runaround like they do on campus. When I did it a few years ago each class would set you back a total of 500 to 600 bucks depending on the books. A class would last about 3 months and you could start new a new class every month if you wanted to. Just take 1 class the first time and see how it goes. I eventually buckled down and overlapped 2 semesters and had 4 classes one month, it sucked. Most classes you have to do a lot of reading then some kind of practice homework you have to email in. Other teachers give a participation grade on how much you interact with the other classmates on the bulliten board. Then you have to have a proctor for your midterms and finals. ERAU sends the proctor the test then you go to the proctor and take the test and the proctor mails it back. You have to get them approved first. Has to be someone with good morals like a school teacher, librarian, etc. I used an old high school teacher I had back in the day. Anyways it worked out ok. The hardest thing is getting the motiviation to study. Its not like class where you have to go and when you are there you are learning. You have to read it all by yourself and do all the work with basically no help. You get to post questions online if you have them, but it might take the professor a day to get back with you.

 

[flyslow24]

Yeah change degrees and enjoy college, only happens once! Business degree with Intelligent Studies doubles my paycheck on days off.

Not too many party /fun overnights out there... well "not what it used to be" is usually what you hear while the door slames and clicks. So have fun at college while you can!

 

[Hootie9750]

get a real degree. I really wish I had a real degree. The regionals will ALWAYS be hiring.

 

[YourPilotFriend]

I can't stress enough how important it is to have a degree in something other than aviation. It's probably the most important advice you will ever receive in your entire career. Unless you can get back the downtown overnights and high pay, this career will never be as fun as a non-aviation college. Besides a tornado just ripped through ERAU, so even God agrees.

 

[Skaff]

I've flown with Captains that were finishing online and I did my Masters Degree online, entirely on overnights. Go to work now, just make sure you finish things up

 

[flyslow24]

I took extra classes and graduated a year early, so I could start early at the regionals.

Just my personal feelings, but I wish I would have stayed that last year. Turns out that year early turned into a furlough and a restart at a different regional anyways. I had done my homework and at the time it was the regional to go to (or whatever). Hiring 300 that summer, ect.

To each his own as they say.

 

[kansas]

Take your shot. At this point, in my opinion, you are so close to finishing up that you might as well follow-through with the aviation degree rather than going through the hassle of a transfer, change of major, moving, etc...

There are numerous individuals out there that are now getting hired at regionals in their teens. It sets them up quite nicely to upgrade on their 23rd birthday, perhaps even in an RJ, the way those airlines are hiring now, and that, my friend, is a big edge.

 

[PCL_128]

Go to the regional. I went straight into flying out of HS and have been working on the degree on the side. I have no regrets whatsoever. I'm in my mid 20s and should have the degree finished before the end of '07. By then, I'll have 5,000TT, nearly 2000 jet/121 PIC, and several of the legacies will be hiring. The guys my age that went to Riddle or another college before flying have only been at a regional for about a year or so after doing a little flight instructing after college. It'll be years before they'll be competitive for any career airline.

 

[Pattern-Master]

Go to the regional. I went straight into flying out of HS and have been working on the degree on the side. I have no regrets whatsoever. I'm in my mid 20s and should have the degree finished before the end of '07. By then, I'll have 5,000TT, nearly 2000 jet/121 PIC, and several of the legacies will be hiring. The guys my age that went to Riddle or another college before flying have only been at a regional for about a year or so after doing a little flight instructing after college. It'll be years before they'll be competitive for any career airline.

I agree, I did the same thing. I should have my degree finished up next year, while on reserve I had alot of down time to work on my courses, and also on long over nights instead of going out and getting drunk and partying I did school work.

 

[pilotyip]

Looks like some pilots have figured out the big picture, if you want to be a pilot you fly airplanes. The degree is unimportant as long as you have one from an accredited institution is any subject. Do the degree part time while flying full time will put you ahead of the 4 yr full time student when it comes to advancing your career.

 

[80for80]

After the tornado, Riddle just might have to be online only.

 

[Cardinal]

Go for it, as long as you're not afraid of some hard work and long days. I had my traditional A.S. at 20, Regional FO at 21, Regional CA at 23, B.S. completed by 24. All told I paid $6000 for my A.S. at a state school, and another $7000 for the B.S. at Riddle. Not a bad deal at all, just had to suffer at home with school work on my "off" days.

 

[gliderguider]

Thanks to everyone who responded...I feel pretty much the same way. School was a blast at first, but after a few years of going after dumb girls that play the same stupid games, and drinking crappy beer, and going to lectures that I'm indifferent to, I feel ready to move on. I'm happiest at the airport and/or flying, and after a few summers of instructing non-stop I was able to get my Total and ME times up, I feel I'm now just spinning my wheels stuck in school instructing part-time.

Does anyone recomend an Online program that tends to be more catered to a working regional pilot and that would be respected by the Majors/Legacies later on? Thanks again

 

[cbogacz]

uvsc global aviation degree program