mcjohn
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2005
- Posts
- 1,456
Hi folks, my name is mcjohn and I've been sent from outer space to inform students and freshly minted commercial pilots not to destroy the universe.
Do not go to Gulfstream Academy.
Do not go to Delta Connection Academy.
Do not go to ATP
Do not go to Regional Airline Academy
Do not go to Mesa Pilot Development
Do not go anywhere that has a glossy ad in AOPA's Flight Training magazine.
Why? It could destroy your life. Take it from me. I LIVE IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!
No really, I'm doing just fine but that's b/c I didn't go to those places above.
We all have to suffer through some depressing stuff to pay our dues but don't let yourself going into debt 80k to 100+k be part of it.
You may get into the cockpit of a jet faster by going to those places but let's consider the consequences of being a F/O for a regional when your 100k in debt and occasionally snickered at by fellow pilots in the industry:
1. Basically you'll being paying off a "mortgage" on your training debt that will equal what you have to pay in rent while your making less than 30k/year for your first couple of years as first officer. Practically impossible, and remember, airlines look at your credit history before they hire you.
2. As a result you will not be able to wine/dine women effectively, purchase a home and will remain in the renters trap for years.
3. Will probably be a little underqualified for your F/O position a get stuck in that right seat for too many years.
4. As a result of that you will not be able to log any PIC time (left seat time) that is crucial if you want to seek out other employment opportunities. So you may be stuck putting up with bad QOL (qual. of life) and bad pay with no other options on the table.
5. For Delta Conn. Academy (and similar), if you stick w/their program, you're already practicing bending over for management by accepting $10/hour to instruct for a school that cost you 100k to get through.
Aaaanyway, I came close to going to places like those above but made the decision to take that 100k and buy a house instead and here's the result:
1. Found an awesome woman and married her (they like dudes w/ houses). She splits the bills w/ me. Don't shack up or get married just to split the bills BUT do enjoy the financial freedom you gain after doing so.
2. Took my extra money and chipped away at ratings here and there and where ever I thought the deal was good and became a CFI.
3. Understand CFI is all you need to get started b/c the places that hire you will help you on the cost of CFII and MEI if you do a good job for them.
4. Have had the opportunity to fly many different aircraft which is important for building crucial pilot skills and upgrading well to a captain once you're a first officer.
5. Gave me the time to realize that PIC time is crucial if you want to get into the unstable regional airline world......becoming a F/O at 500TT is not a stable place anyone would really want to be if they only knew better.
The list could go on and on but I hope you get the picture.
Take this stuff to heart and it may help to slowly repair the airline industry. Maybe once again it can become a place where folks could actually enjoy having a career and pilots are compensated for and hired for there high level of experience and professionalism.
Now take that 100k loan that you qualify for and do something responsible with it and help restore the natural balance of universe!!!!
Do not go to Gulfstream Academy.
Do not go to Delta Connection Academy.
Do not go to ATP
Do not go to Regional Airline Academy
Do not go to Mesa Pilot Development
Do not go anywhere that has a glossy ad in AOPA's Flight Training magazine.
Why? It could destroy your life. Take it from me. I LIVE IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!
No really, I'm doing just fine but that's b/c I didn't go to those places above.
We all have to suffer through some depressing stuff to pay our dues but don't let yourself going into debt 80k to 100+k be part of it.
You may get into the cockpit of a jet faster by going to those places but let's consider the consequences of being a F/O for a regional when your 100k in debt and occasionally snickered at by fellow pilots in the industry:
1. Basically you'll being paying off a "mortgage" on your training debt that will equal what you have to pay in rent while your making less than 30k/year for your first couple of years as first officer. Practically impossible, and remember, airlines look at your credit history before they hire you.
2. As a result you will not be able to wine/dine women effectively, purchase a home and will remain in the renters trap for years.
3. Will probably be a little underqualified for your F/O position a get stuck in that right seat for too many years.
4. As a result of that you will not be able to log any PIC time (left seat time) that is crucial if you want to seek out other employment opportunities. So you may be stuck putting up with bad QOL (qual. of life) and bad pay with no other options on the table.
5. For Delta Conn. Academy (and similar), if you stick w/their program, you're already practicing bending over for management by accepting $10/hour to instruct for a school that cost you 100k to get through.
Aaaanyway, I came close to going to places like those above but made the decision to take that 100k and buy a house instead and here's the result:
1. Found an awesome woman and married her (they like dudes w/ houses). She splits the bills w/ me. Don't shack up or get married just to split the bills BUT do enjoy the financial freedom you gain after doing so.
2. Took my extra money and chipped away at ratings here and there and where ever I thought the deal was good and became a CFI.
3. Understand CFI is all you need to get started b/c the places that hire you will help you on the cost of CFII and MEI if you do a good job for them.
4. Have had the opportunity to fly many different aircraft which is important for building crucial pilot skills and upgrading well to a captain once you're a first officer.
5. Gave me the time to realize that PIC time is crucial if you want to get into the unstable regional airline world......becoming a F/O at 500TT is not a stable place anyone would really want to be if they only knew better.
The list could go on and on but I hope you get the picture.
Take this stuff to heart and it may help to slowly repair the airline industry. Maybe once again it can become a place where folks could actually enjoy having a career and pilots are compensated for and hired for there high level of experience and professionalism.
Now take that 100k loan that you qualify for and do something responsible with it and help restore the natural balance of universe!!!!
