The hiring boom is here!

[freightdogfred]

deleted

 

[Tarzan]

For some reason instead of BOOM, I can't help but think BUST.

 

[pilotyip]

The hiring boom is in full swing, it will continue to grow and maximize rate of change in June of 2007. Drop out of college and get those flying jobs.

 

[DrProc]

The hiring boom is in full swing, it will continue to grow and maximize rate of change in June of 2007. Drop out of college and get those flying jobs.

Great advice...why have a back up plan in case you lose your medical or get furloughed when this so-called boom is over. A college degree only helps you to qualify for the top flying jobs. It shows that you can follow through in a formal education setting and displays a higher level of intelligence and organization. FedEx and SWA and Delta will not look at you without a degree, but then again you can work at a dirtbag freight operator flying POS Falcons on a 20 min call out. Those types of operations will snatch you up quick, because they know your options to leave are limited without degrees. I have flown with plenty of pilots that really regret not sticking out college and getting a degree. Just remember, those who start their careers at YIP usually end it at YIP.

 

[Buschpilot]

I think he was being sarcastic.

 

[sopdan]

I think he was being sarcastic.

If you're talking about pilotyip, no, I don't think he was being sarcastic.

 

[Captain Morgan]

While I agree that someone should get a degree (I wish I had mine completed already), I think it does not demonstrate that you are intelligent. I've come across plenty of people who have degrees but are downright stupid in act and thought. When it comes down to it, it's a check in the box.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

The best optioin for professional pilots is to drop out, get a flying job, AND get your degree via the internet on the side. That way, you get your 1000 PIC turbine as fast as possible as well as having a safety net with your degree.

cliff
YIP

PS: New Pinnacle mins:
Comm
Multi
Inst
NO minimum hours required.

 

[Tarzan]

The hiring boom is in full swing, it will continue to grow and maximize rate of change in June of 2007. Drop out of college and get those flying jobs.

I guess you missed his avatar....... Nuttin but BUST!

 

[pilotyip]

no no no the hiring bust comes in 2012

 

[Hagar17]

Yeah, drop out of school to grab one of those $18k/yr flying jobs!

AWESOME!!

 

[pilotyip]

Fall back value of degree overrated

Drproc; The fallback value of a degree is greatly over rated. I have a BS and a Master's in Management, but at age 53, I was making $250/wk loading cargo. After Zantop pretended to go out of went out of business in 1997, I had been a temporary High School Chemistry Teacher up until two weeks before the cargo job came along. However, they do not teach school in the summer so I had to take the cargo job. The value of an unused degree is highly over rated. 53 year old unemployed airline pilots are not eagerly greeted in any industry that I know of, even of having a couple degrees. Of course, I did not apply for many of the "College degree preferred jobs" such as apt manager, telephone direct sales, and plumbing floor manager at Home Depot, etc. If you get a college degree you have to use, the knowledge gained in college has to be used to develop a career or the degree is useless. After getting a degree, flying an airplane is not a knowledge expanding experience; it is skill development experience. Anyone with 15-20 years in the cockpit care to chime in and share their experiences on re-entering the non-aviation job market after being out of college 20-30 years?

 

[Buschpilot]

OK, now I take back what I said. He wasn't being sarcastic.

 

[Huck]

I meet a lot of recent college graduates.

And they all say the same thing: "Hi! Welcome to Fridays!"

(Sing while clapping: "They say this is your birthday, this is your special day.....")

 

[Goose Egg]

Get your degree. There are many good arguments for doing this; fallback value, check in the box, knowledge expansion, becoming well-rounded, becoming more competitive, and so on and so forth.

Personally, I'm glad that my degree is completed because it opens up opportunities. Basically, as soon as I get the time, I'm not limited as to what I can do. If I want to work for SWA, I can. If I want to work for NetJets, I can. If I want to work for FedEx, well, I can do that too. If I want to work for USA Jet, well, I can even do that too, provided I can get past one of Yip's interviews. It's sort of the same rationale as staying a flight instructor until I get 135 mins; I can now do what I want to do, as opposed to what I have to do--I have that many more opportunities open up to me.

And for the record, I plan on getting a graduate degree too. Not because I feel I have to to be competitive, and not even for fallback value. It's just because I want to; because I love learning and I want to do it. It would be a cool achievement. There would be many other benefits too, but that would be the main one. And I am now able to pursue graduate studies, because I have completed an undergrad degree. I have that opportunity; I can now do what I want to do.

-Goose

 

[Scrapdog]

Get your degree. There are many good arguments for doing this; fallback value, check in the box, knowledge expansion, becoming well-rounded, becoming more competitive, and so on and so forth.

Personally, I'm glad that my degree is completed because it opens up opportunities. Basically, as soon as I get the time, I'm not limited as to what I can do. If I want to work for SWA, I can. If I want to work for NetJets, I can. If I want to work for FedEx, well, I can do that too. If I want to work for USA Jet, well, I can even do that too, provided I can get past one of Yip's interviews. It's sort of the same rationale as staying a flight instructor until I get 135 mins; I can now do what I want to do, as opposed to what I have to do--I have that many more opportunities open up to me.

And for the record, I plan on getting a graduate degree too. Not because I feel I have to to be competitive, and not even for fallback value. It's just because I want to; because I love learning and I want to do it. It would be a cool achievement. There would be many other benefits too, but that would be the main one. And I am now able to pursue graduate studies, because I have completed an undergrad degree. I have that opportunity; I can now do what I want to do.

-Goose

Goose - stop right now!!!!! You're making too much sense and using too much logic. I've gone round and round with pilotyip on this same subject and this guy has absolutely no clue. All he does is preach his poison about dropping out of school and getting an 18K a year job in his so called grandeur of this "hiring boom." What a complete falacy. There is nothing more important in today's world than being educated from a solid 4 year school (online is fine as well as long as it is accredited). Anything, and I mean anything could throw a wrench in your flying career and literally in hours it could be over (medical issue, legal problem, personal issue, etc...). Now, you need plan B...and you're not going anywhere without a college degree for plan B.

And his blabber about not being able to make anything at 53 with a college degree...what bullsh*t. With a college degree and some gumption, you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Open a business, apply to a fortune 500 company, hell - even go to medical school. My wife has multiple folks in her med school class in their 40's and 50's that are doing great because they WANT TO. That's what hard work and a college degree gets you - plan B, C, D, or whatever you want it to be.

 

[Flyprdu]

You know, a wise old-timer once told me...

"The issue is not whether or not you get furloughed, but how many times."

Get your degree, in something else other than aviation. There will be times you won't have the luxury of carrying passengers around.

 

[pgcfii2002]

I love women.

 

[pilotyip]

Check my posts, I have nothing against a college degree, Bobby and I settled this 5 years ago. But if you want to be a pilot going to college full time puts you behind those pilots building resume stuff. Go to college on line so you can check the box when you apply at FedEx. My classic 25 year old DC-9 Captain with 5000 hours, most of it Turbo Jet. No full time college, but he has completed his on-line degree from an accredited university. BTW how many 4-yr. college grads have 5000 hour mostly heavy jet by the time they hit 25? This is whom the 4-yr. guys will b e competing against when they apply for their jobs. BTW a degree in business is a nice one to get, helps you understand money.

 

[xjlifer]

Check my posts, I have nothing against a college degree, Bobby and I settled this 5 years ago. But if you want to be a pilot going to college full time puts you behind those pilots building resume stuff. Go to college on line so you can check the box when you apply at FedEx. My classic 25 year old DC-9 Captain with 5000 hours, most of it Turbo Jet. No full time college, but he has completed his on-line degree from an accredited university. BTW how many 4-yr. college grads have 5000 hour mostly heavy jet by the time they hit 25? This is whom the 4-yr. guys will b e competing against when they apply for their jobs. BTW a degree in business is a nice one to get, helps you understand money.

Na I got one of them and I don't know much about money....except I do not have enough of it.

 

[wings421]

As much as I disagree with Pilotyip's outlook on college, he's been calling this hiring boom for like three years and he at least needs a hand for that.

 

[Reebo]

As much as I disagree with Pilotyip's outlook on college, he's been calling this hiring boom for like three years and he at least needs a hand for that.

Yep, he called it. He's also correct about college. There are a few who have been hired at UPS and Southwest without college degrees in recent years.

 

[B-J-J Fighter]

There was a USAJ DC9 in ORF today, what was it doing in ORF?

 

[Scrapdog]

Yep, he called it. He's also correct about college. There are a few who have been hired at UPS and Southwest without college degrees in recent years.

You are exactly right - a few, and a very few indeed. Most of the hires are college grads - and there is a reason for that. When they say they "strongly desire" (SWA) or "it is mandatory" (FDX), there is certainly a method to their madness.

 

[Reebo]

You are exactly right - a few, and a very few indeed. Most of the hires are college grads - and there is a reason for that. When they say they "strongly desire" (SWA) or "it is mandatory" (FDX), there is certainly a method to their madness.

Trust me, I agree with you. I think YIP's point is that you can get hired without one, but then again the lottery is 150 mil this week

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Check my posts, I have nothing against a college degree, Bobby and I settled this 5 years ago. But if you want to be a pilot going to college full time puts you behind those pilots building resume stuff. Go to college on line so you can check the box when you apply at FedEx. My classic 25 year old DC-9 Captain with 5000 hours, most of it Turbo Jet. No full time college, but he has completed his on-line degree from an accredited university. BTW how many 4-yr. college grads have 5000 hour mostly heavy jet by the time they hit 25? This is whom the 4-yr. guys will b e competing against when they apply for their jobs. BTW a degree in business is a nice one to get, helps you understand money.

I agree with this completely. All of those years that a lot of my peers dedicated to full time college I chose to build time flight instructing and flying charter/corporate. At 19 I was a CFI and by 20 I was flying corporate jets full-time. I'm now 26 with over 4000 hours, most of which is in various jet aircraft. With a few more semesters of college classes I will also have a Bachelor's degree. College is a lot easier to deal with now that I have an income that actually allows me to pay for it.

I'm not trying to brag or gloat, I worked quite hard to get where I am. I just want to point out that there are many roads that one could take to get where they want to go. You don't have to sign your life away to some expensive aviation college to make a decent living as a pilot.

 

[pilotyip]

Again there are many ways to skin at cat (get a pilot's job), the non-full time college is just one of them. I only offer an alternative to be copnsidered, based upon what I have seen in this industry over the last 45 years. Plus I know just by posting the truth, I will get a raise out of some of the "Full time College only" crowd. BTW the USA Jet at ORD was a Basketball Charter.

 

[Mercury]

How long will this college vs. no college debate go on???? If you need a new topic I have a few additional questions for you to consider:

Ford or Chevy?
Coke or Pepsi?
Fish or Cut Bait?
Democrat or Republican?
Shaken or Stirred?
Table or Booth?
Aisle or Window?
Soup or Salad?
Blonde or Brunette?

You can argue the college thing (or any of the above topics) all day long and still not get anywhere. At the end of the day, It all comes down to personal choice. If you want to pass on college and devote your time and money to building flight time so be it. If you want to go to school and get an education and have the means to do it, so be that too! Everyone's career path and career goals are going to be different. As pilots we are paid to be critical thinkers, As such this is not a black and white issue. There is no "one size fits all" answer on the best way to do it.

Here's an experiment for you: Find a successful, experienced pilot, that is nearing retirement and ask them what they would have done differently along the way. I guarantee the answers will astound you. Your personal and professional goals and desires at 19, 23 or 30 are alot different than those at 45,50 or 60 years old...once again no "one size fits all" answer.

In high school I couldnt wait to get into Army Aviation and fly helos, oops that didnt work out (eyesight), get ratings, CFI, Charter, no one hiring, need 1500/500 just to get job in commuter turboprop..... after I finally got 1000 TPIC, all I wanted was to get on with USAir and live in CLT, application and check returned to me in the fall of 2001, sorry no more hiring. Stick it out for a few more years at the commuters, leave to go to Part 91 Corp flight department. Good QOL, get to spend a ton of time with my little ones, my primary goal and concern now is to see that they are provided for. Funny thing is that corporate flying was not even in my original plan at 19 or 20. Dont get me wrong I'd still love to fly a heavy jet or make a PA that said "Welcome to Narita" but who the hell knows. I'll let you know in about 25 years if I made the right choices.

The point to all this rambling is that there is no best way or foolproof way to manage this career. College or not, have a back up plan and some rainy day funds set aside.

Sorry for the long rant. Carry on......

 

[Goose Egg]

The point to all this rambling is that there is no best way or foolproof way to manage this career. College or not, have a back up plan and some rainy day funds set aside.

Excellent call. That guy who had 4000 hours of TPIC and a degree is in awesome shape for what he wants to do. I have a degree and 0 TPIC, and I'm really not in that bad of shape for what I want to do. Go figure. There are definitely many ways to skin the cat... and we don't all want to skin the same cat, for that matter.

And we don't all need to go to fancy aviation schools to be successful; I'm a Part 61 poster child.

Anyway, I do think Yip's advice to drop out of school is a bit irresponsible, but that's not any news to him. Definitely do what works out best for you all, but please be careful and be responsible. Seniority means everything... as long as your company stays in business and you keep your medical!!! So I guess seniority doesn't really mean that much after all! Might as well slow down, enjoy the ride, and make adequate preparations for life.

-Goose

 

[saviboy]

Again there are many ways to skin at cat (get a pilot's job), the non-full time college is just one of them. I only offer an alternative to be copnsidered, based upon what I have seen in this industry over the last 45 years. Plus I know just by posting the truth, I will get a raise out of some of the "Full time College only" crowd. BTW the USA Jet at ORD was a Basketball Charter.

I agree with YIP. I decided to focus on my CFI and then Commuter carreer after I got my 2 year degree.
In the mean time I became a Captain and I now have 880 121 Turbine PIC and took a couple of classes here and there at my local community college.
I just started going back to school in january and should be finished with a 4 year degree in about 6-8 months .
Another guy who was in my flight school wanted to finish his degree first. he did but he just got hired in my company and is now my FO.