What should I do im 17

[pilotyip]

NJAPLT let me reverse your stats. 95% of pilots applying have 4 yr degrees. 5% do not. 90% of the pilot being hired have college degrees. that menas that 5% of the non-degreed applicants are getting 10% of the jobs. Here is a real life example 6 pilots from USA Jet have applied at JB, 3 had 4 yr degree, 3 did not. 1 degreed pilot was hired and 2 non-degreed pilots. All those hired were part 121 check airman, with over 5000 hours, most of it 121 PIC.

 

[NJAPLT]

Well, I guess everyone has there own opinion. I think it is very necessary for a professional pilot to have a degree, no mater what statistics are used.

I had another thought for the original topic, creator. AOPA Flight Training magazine publishes a list of flight schools and colleges that might be helpful to you, no matter which route you decide to persue. Might be worth a look.

Also, may want to look into buying a book on the aviation industry, they have several on the how to be a pilot topic.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

Want to become a professional pilot? A 4-year degree is a must or your opportunities will be limited. Having a degree never hurts but without one many opportunities will be lost. Who knows, maybe you will want a government job with the FAA, or a State department of aviation job, or even the US Military. All of these, plus most all major airlines want their pilots to have a degree in something. Anything less is a lower class indication that employers are unwilling to accept. I agree that the pilot job (even B777 capt) doesn't require an education past the 8th grade (if that), so the 4-year degree just shows a person that makes the right decisions. It shows that that individual will probably continue to make the right choices. When you don't have a degree that person is suspect. It's not fair but that's what I have seen.

 

[stonewall]

Go to Law School.

 

[pilotyip]

Read my threads again, I have never don't get a degree, what I have said if you feel you need a degree do it on the side. If you want to be a pilot you fly airplanes. If you go for your 4 yr. degree, at age 24 when you have 500TT 100ME and you get hired by Pinnacle, you will be jerking gear for a 24 year old Captain who has 3 yr. of a on-line degree, 4000TT, 25000 ME and 700 TJ PIC. Two years later he has finished has degree and is interviewing at SWA, JB, AirTran, FedEx, and UPS because of his flight time. You can not build meaningful flight time as a full time student, but you can by doing an on-line degree. To each his own there are many paths to a career goal of professional pilot. Four-year Full Time College is not mandatory to succeed in this business.

 

[NorthShore]

I will give you the same advice I gave someone else in an earlier thread, and best of luck to boot.


Go to one of the others and get a degree in something useful, and do your flying out of school with the cash you'll save not going to ERAU.

Go to a real college, drink a bit, get laid by a variety of accents, fly at an FBO, use your license to charm the underthings off of the girl (or guy) of your choice, then depending on the war situation you might think about military avenues to build up time (or regardless of the war situation if you are patriotic, brave or crazy/ check one.)

You never know. You spend your entire life with nothing but flying then one day you wake up and wonder why you have heartburn SO bad!!! Two hours later they are trying to keep you alive while you are having a heart attack.
Suddenly that 10,000 hrs. isn't such a big deal. And THEN you will be happy to have a degree in something other than av.

 

[pilotyip]

The fall back value of an unused degree 25 years later is greatly over rated.

 

[G-force]

What to do

So i'm 17 and I have my PPL. I've always kind of wanted to go to embry riddle becasue it has sounded so great. after talkin to people i find out many different things. I hear lots of different ideas on what to do and I really have no idea. I want to one day fly for an airline but i know it will take lots of hours flight instructing and flying cargo, which I would have no problem doing. I know it's impossible to go right out of college and fly with the airlines, but alot of kids my age think you can do that but it's not true. If anyone could give me any schools or advice on what to do that would be great. Or any flight training facilities in florida or south east, that could help me out?

thanks, nick

Get a degree in computer science and have aviation as a HOBBY.

 

[FlyinDude]

Coming from a college aviation program, I would urge you to seek a degree in something other than aviation. Reason being, you will only be able to pursue a flying career as long as you can maintain that medical. What is the fallback plan if you for whatever reason cannot do that? Also, most airlines want to see a degree in something. Underwater Basket Weaving, who cares, as long as it's a bachlors. So much the better if it's something you could use in the furture if your circumstances change.

 

[UndauntedFlyer]

The fall back value of an unused degree 25 years later is greatly over rated.

What pilotyip says is correct, but that may not matter. If you're applyng for an FAA job for example, or others, you'll still get the required points to be competitive.