MESA AIR and COMAIR?!

[studt needs adv]

I am 18 years old trying to figure out what to do in college. I want to major in something other than aviation so I have something to fall back on if piloting doesn't work out. Ive heard some thigns about Mesa Air and ComAir and I was wondering if there was anyone else that has anymore insight into the programs? When should I start at Mesa or Com (after, before or during college)? Thanks in advance!

-Student in need of advice

 

[mar]

The hard part

Hey man, welcome to the lunatic asylum!

Here's my best advice: Go to college full-time when you're young and single and can commit fully to the experience. THEN, when that big old ball and chain is behind you you can commit fully to getting started in aviation.

I've seen so many people start college, drop out (sorry, they say, "take a break") and then start their career because they couldn't stand to let an opportunity pass them by.

But that's the hard part, watching opportunities pass you by.

But I swear, I've never once met a person who went back to college once he left it. Usually they start some cool job, make a little money, screw around (sorry, they say, "fall in love"), soon they have a family and then, even if they really *want* to return to college, well, forget it. It ain't happenin' 'cause there are more pressing and immediate problems they need to attend to.

Short answer: Don't sacrifice long term achievement for short term gains.

Always take the Long View.

Set goals but be flexible.

Eat your vegetables; wear your seatbelt; call your mother.

 

[avbug]

But I swear, I've never once met a person who went back to college once he left it.

Mar, now you have. However, I don't recommend it.

I didn't exactly "leave" school. I never went. Trying to get into it, however, so many years later, trying to relearn what should have been carried from high school to college, was not a short jump, but more of a big leap.

I don't regret the path I took, but there are very few to whom I'd recommend it, if any. I wouldn't change a thing, personally. I was eighteen and flying ag, and felt like the luckiest kid alive. A lot of folks scoffed then and do now, especially if one sees it as sacrificing college to be a crop duster. To those who do look down on that choice, I have no respect for the opinion.

Do what you feel is right. Today, more and more, correspondence schooling is a legitimate way of earning your degree while you enter the work force. Thousands upon thousands of professionals have done and are doing just that, and many universities are offering online degrees while recognizing this need and the benifits to be derived thereof.

Don't forsake schooling, but don't forsake your life but for the benifit of lying prostrate before the "higher mind," either. Paper is what you get from the classroom, an education is what you get on the street. (field, airway, hangar, as the case may be).

If you can make the choice and have the options, I strongly recommend seeking a degree and training outside avaition. As an industry, we're far from stable, far from secure. Learning judgement in aviation is about creating and exploiting options...always leave yourself an out. This is never more true than building and establishing your career.

I can't tell you how many opportuities slipped beyond me in the past for lack of credentials. I can certainly do the job, and always with high marks, but who would ever know when one is turned down first for lack of a degree? Time after time, after time. So it goes in one's career...like staying at a holiday inn express the degree may not make you smarter, but at least you'll look smarter, and that may be what puts you in the running for the job and the career you seek.

Whatever you decide, fly safe.

 

[UnAnswerd]

I can't tell you how many opportuities slipped beyond me in the past for lack of credentials. I can certainly do the job, and always with high marks, but who would ever know when one is turned down first for lack of a degree? Time after time, after time. So it goes in one's career...like staying at a holiday inn express the degree may not make you smarter, but at least you'll look smarter, and that may be what puts you in the running for the job and the career you seek.

Isn't that the miserable truth.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

and YIP posts in 3, 2, 1...

 

[svcta]

Young man, do a thread search for PFT. There will be a variety of reasons to stay out of the "acadamies". Besides you can get all the ratings that they offer on your own, for less money, and in the same amount of time(or less). And there's no rush right now to get to the airlines.

 

[wheelsup]

I currently work at MAPD (mesa program in FMN). In short - it works and the ab-initio guys/gals come out with a job offer about 95% of the time. Keep in mind this is MUCH better than delta, because their "graduates" are the CFI's, and only about 25% of the student body gets hired on as a CFI. So their "97%" placement or whatever is crap.

Total cost is about $60k including flight, school, and living expenses. You come out with an associate degree, which most people convert to a BA thru online classes.

The only problem is that mesa currently has a backlog - there's about a 6 month wait between finishing the course and ground school. Still peanuts compared to instructing for 2 years through. And if anything, you pay about $40k for your private-commercial multi, which is considerably less (half) of what you'd pay at delta or any other academy. I knew someone who spent $20k on his CFI, CFI-I, and MEI alone. Take $6500 to ATP and get your CFI, CFI-I, MEI if you want to instruct. Yes there are less expensive ways but you don't do your primary training in a 6 seat retrac aircraft either, or come out with a job offer.

As far as this being PFT, WTF? How in the world? I suppose you had your ratings paid for by your company? Gimmie a break!

~wheelsup

 

[prodigal]

Don't be in that big of a hurry. You're young and have all the time in the world. First, go get a good education at a non-av. university for less money. (Who knows, you may even decide you'd rather do something else). You can work on certificates and ratings concurrently if you are able. Learn to fly at an FBO. Ask around where the best instructors are. Take your time, let it all percolate. After you have very solid private pilot flying skills and knowledge, then consider going to a pilot mill for all the rest. Your private pilot learning is the foundation on which all the rest will be built, and as such is the most important. Get it right. You may find that the FBO route, while longer might suit you better. I can't tell you how many "pilots" I instructed for their commercial, CFI, instrument, whatever, who didn't even have basic private pilot knowledge and skills.
After getting your certs & ratings go instruct for a year, fly traffic patrol, then go fly single pilot cargo for a year. Besides just learning skills, allow yourself time to mature and gain experience, judegment and real decision making ability. There's no short-cut for that.

 

[mamba20]

Have some self respect and avoid Mesa like you would the clap.

 

[eddie]

Can you go to a university with a degree program in Aviation and take advantage of the program without majoring in aviation?

I went to a school with a crappy aviation science minor, got my degree in a different field and still graduated with a CFI. I don't know if it's allowed at places like ASU or Illinois, but it might be worth looking into.

I'd avoid spending the money on an academy and just do the ratings at your local flight school. justmyopinionthough

 

[eddie]

Oh yeah. go to a real college and have some fun! there's no reason to rush into a $19,000 a year job when you could be partying at college!

 

[BankAccount=0$]

Oh yeah. go to a real college and have some fun! there's no reason to rush into a $19,000 a year job when you could be partying at college!

That is some of the best advice I've ever read on this board. I went to Comair Academy (uhh make that Delta Connection Academy) and skipped college, BIG mistake!!! I'm fortunate to have found a pt. 121 gig, but I spent a lot of time sending out resumes when less qualified but degree holding guys were getting hired. Now that I need the degree to someday move ahead in my career I can't afford it. Go to college, learn something other than how to be a pilot and enjoy prolonging being a working stiff for 4 more years................

 

[FN FAL]

I'm fortunate to have found a pt. 121 gig, but I spent a lot of time sending out resumes when less qualified but degree holding guys were getting hired.

Less qualified? What do you mean by that statement?

If competitive hiring mins are 1,000 and 200 at an airline and they hire guys with 1,000 and 200...how does that make them less qualified than a guy with 2,500 and 500?

A newly minted instrument rated multi-engine commercial pilot with a valid medical qualifies for an airline job.

 

[eddie]

fn fal - ???