pretty disgusting!
Well, I though I could gain a little insight on other schools by reading this thread. All I've seen is bashing. So I'll throw a couple of points out there:
1-Background: I did two years of college at U of Alaska aviation program while flying for a 121/135 commuter. Switched to ERAU extended campus to finish. They gave me credit for my two years and ratings. I think I did about 40ish credits with ERAU.
2-The instructors I had at both schools were outstanding. What I liked most was that all classes that weren't aviation driven (calculus, physics, etc.) were still taught using aviation examples. The reason I preferred this was because I have a genuine love of all things aviation and it kept my interest so much that I truly believe my GPA was better because of it. This had a direct impact on my resume.
3-I don't have a problem with people that center everything on aviation, including their degree, because they probably don't have an interest on things such as criminal justice or underwater basket weaving. If you lose your medical there are still a lot of options with an AS degree, such as sim instructing, ground school instructing, aviation college instructing, management, safety, ALPA, AOPA, etc, etc.
4-I think bashing the people that do the flying team thing is both disrespectful, and repulsive. I didn't do it and don't know too much about it, but I'm pretty sure that these kids probably love what they're doing. They probably look at it as a way to better their skills at something they love and also as a way to meet more people. You're right about one thing-they won't do stuff like that at the majors. So WHY NOT do it while you have the chance.
Not everyone can hit a collegiate fastball, so this is an activity that they can participate in. I will say that in no way can you rate an education based on a flying competition.
5-Everyone at the airlines has a different path and story, so there is no best way to get there except stay motivated, focused, and no matter how you do it, GET IT DONE!
6-I am in the guard and without question I can say that it is absolutely the SLOWEST way to get to a major! I think I average about 175 hrs a year flying the F-16. You'll get a little more in heavies, but you won't start getting PIC time until about 3-4 years after you put on the flightsuit. Right now while the majors aren't hiring is the time for regional pilots to get that fighter guard slot you want. A guy going to UPT right now can expect to be released for civilian employment in about three years.
Best of luck, and quit calling fellow pilots "gay", unless they really are (not that there's anything "wrong with that").