Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 months 2 hours ago) and read 1071 times:
I know there have been similar threads to this that are quite old so I was hoping to make a new one with some fresh inquiries...
So I am considering either a BSc from ERAU via their online program in Aeronautical Science or BA in Aviation Business Admin. I guess I can minor in one and major in the other. I am interested in getting into airline management one day and possibly flying as I'm completing my CPL. I want to be in the industry hands down as a career and as an EU and Canadian citizen I feel there are many awaiting options out there. I know that former EVP of ops at WS had a degree from ERAU... yet their current CEO just has a business degree. Does anyone know of any others? Is this a good route to go and if so what should the major be and why? I would think an airline would hire one with an aviation focused degree over one with just a general degree... Any input would be greatly appreciated all!
malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3153 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 months 2 hours ago) and read 1057 times:
From my experience, I do have an aviation management degree, but the airlines do not really care much about it and most of the management I have had to deal with do not even have degrees and they sometimes feel threatened. But take my advice regarding an aviation management degree, make sure you get a complete specialization along with it such as a ATP/CPL/MEL completed combo and/or an A&P license
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
comair25 From Germany, joined Sep 2006, 192 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (4 months 1 hour ago) and read 1051 times:
Quoting Boeingorbust (Thread starter): I would think an airline would hire one with an aviation focused degree over one with just a general degree
Thats a myth. Your better off getting a degree outside of aviation. The only reason people go for a degree in aviation, especiallly as a pilot is because they get to fly for a degree instead of doing it on your off time. Trust me I did it and I wish went for a different degree. What happens if you get all the way through with your COM/MEL and CFII/ETC. One day you can't pass a medical. What do you do now? You have a degree in aviation science which NOBODY will hire you in the professional world. (Based on a degree as a pilot. It is the same with any aviation degree, except maybe managment)
NASCARAirforce From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 2689 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (4 months 1 hour ago) and read 1030 times:
I went to Riddle.
If I were you I would go to a Community college for the first 2 years and see if you can transfer to get your Bach degree. No sense spending $1000 a credit hour for a match class you can pay $200 for at Community college - then when you transfer take the Riddle required classes and your electives
BMI727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 11547 posts, RR: 27 Reply 4, posted (4 months 1 hour ago) and read 1027 times:
Quoting Boeingorbust (Thread starter): I would think an airline would hire one with an aviation focused degree over one with just a general degree...
I would tend to doubt that. Go to a good, and possibly cheaper, business school and succeed there and get a job at an airline. Furthermore, what would you do if the airline industry goes into the toilet (which it often does) and all you have is a pilot's license and aviation administration? I'd bet there is a much better chance for an airline to hire someone with a general business or management degree than there is for a bank to hire someone with an aviation management degree.
And if you really want your CPL or ATP you'll probably save yourself a lot of money doing it at a flight school rather than a university, let alone the notoriously pricey ERAU.
Why do Aerospace Engineering students have to turn things in on time?
FlyASAGuy2005 From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 5537 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (4 months ago) and read 967 times:
I think nascar gave the best advice. If you really feel the need to attend Riddle, get your "common" classes out the way at another state school or private university. So much cheaper then transfer in. All the while you can take flying lessons at an FBO for a fraction of what ERAU is charging and at least have your private out the way.
Everyone's situation is different but take me for example. I grew up in Central Florida with my parents and was a die hard "I'm going to Embry" guy. My parents split when I was a junior and my mom moved to Georgia and my dad moved back to Texas (he's with Continental now United and was a long time commuter to IAH). All my life I wanted to be an airline pilot but my senior year of HS my dad convinced me to NOT go to Riddle but rather get a business degree in a discipline I could use about anywhere. I was still afforded the opportunity to fly which I did get my private before finishing high school and did everything else at an FBO near Gainesville (I'm a UF alum). I did everything right along the wat. I did two internships with two different flight ops departments. One year with Atlantic Southeast andthe other summer with Delta. My senior year I decided I didn't want to fly for a living anymore. Good thing I did what I did and now I have a degree in finance and analytics and loving my current job all the while flying for fun. I'm only 24 and if I decide to fly for a living 10 years from now I could but its a tad bit harder the other way around.
CAM2:"Lightning coming out of that one." CAM1: "What?"
ual777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 1447 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 845 times:
Quoting Boeingorbust (Thread starter):
So I am considering either a BSc from ERAU via their online program in Aeronautical Science or BA in Aviation Business Admin. I guess I can minor in one and major in the other. I am interested in getting into airline management one day and possibly flying as I'm completing my CPL. I want to be in the industry hands down as a career and as an EU and Canadian citizen I feel there are many awaiting options out there. I know that former EVP of ops at WS had a degree from ERAU... yet their current CEO just has a business degree. Does anyone know of any others? Is this a good route to go and if so what should the major be and why? I would think an airline would hire one with an aviation focused degree over one with just a general degree... Any input would be greatly appreciated all!
The online courses/extended campus classes are a good deal. However, do not, I repeat, DO NOT do your flying at ERAU. It is outrageously expensive and you will regret it later. I have a friend who was in my new-hire class who did it all at ERAU. His parents paid for half and his student loan payments are still $1,500 a month!!
Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 804 times:
Quoting cmhsrq (Reply 7): If you like girls, don't go to Riddle.
That's random...
To make things a little more clear, I live in Canada and would be doing my Aviation Business Admin degree online with ERAU and I am already doing my CPL/ME/IR at an FBO out here.
Also, I've been told that doing the Aviation Business Admin degree at ERAU still teaches all the basics you would get at any other business school, however you get the emphasis and work in aviation related situations and problems. So the business training I've been told is still there. The online course is about a fifth of the cost of the actual on campus degree which sits at about $40,000.00 a year (way overpriced IMHO) so I'd be looking at about $8000.00 a year online which is comparable to another degree anywhere else and would also have my CPL/ME/IR as well, done at an FBO in here in Canada.
Stabilator From United States of America, joined Nov 2010, 374 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 741 times:
Why ERAU? Sounds rather expensive. Don't any Canadian colleges/ Universities offer it?
Also, double major or minor in something outside the aviation industry. I didn't like to be told that either, as I was going to roll with ATC and Commercial. I'm now doing Psych and Commercial. If the airline industry goes to hell again, I'll at least have a back up and the option of going to grad school.
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 5674 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 727 times:
You don't need an "aviation" business degree. Just get a business degree that is enough for the airlines. Go to the best school you can get into or maybe the cheapest or maybe a cheaper better school. Unless your doing aeronautical engineering ERAU is nothing special. The few people I know in the airlines do not have aviation degrees. They went to good schools, some got MBA's etc.. Save the money, go to a public school and get into a good MBA program. These days a graduate degree is what a college degree used to be.
As for the flying your doing the right thing not doing it with a school. You mentioned an EU passport. Besides for English are you fluent in any other language? Getting a flying job is a bit less difficult in Europe than in North America. And I am talking about 500 hours in the right seat of a 737 or A320.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
WestJet747 From Canada, joined Aug 2011, 591 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 710 times:
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of airline executives that climbed the corporate ladder in other industries and then got headhunted to join the airline industry. If you get a business degree that is tailored towards aviation, you're going to be rather myopic in your choices. I'm sure a lot of airlines are going to want graduates who were taught about other industries in the classroom, so they have a greater sense of the "global community" and not just hardpressed on a single product.
Quoting Stabilator (Reply 10): Don't any Canadian colleges/ Universities offer it?
Not that I'm aware of. Canadian universities/colleges (that I know of) tend to pair there aviation programs with environmental studies and other science-related fields. I could be wrong though...
Quoting flymia (Reply 11): Save the money, go to a public school and get into a good MBA program. These days a graduate degree is what a college degree used to be.
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 5674 posts, RR: 6 Reply 13, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 694 times:
Once you get an MBA what you studied in college doesn't even matter. Same as most graduate schools. Once ou get a law degree or medical degree or a Phd in something in the field you want to be in etc.. College does not mean much.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
It matters to a lot of people. They consider themselves Alumni of the undergrad school.... That is where the best memories are. I think of myself an Alumni of Southern Illinois University when my undergrad is from. My good memories are from there my college friends are from there. My post graduate work at University of Detroit Mercy didn't yeild any lifelong friends and great life expierences. I went to school did the work and came home. I had a full time career and life was a lot different at 34 than it was at 21. The undergrads hanging around campus looked like they we having the kind of fun I had at their age.
I did not mean it in a memories emotional way at all, where did you get that from. As I said in the post you quoted from, if you get a graduate degree in a field in what your job is your undergrad degree won't be that important. Employers care much more about your graduate degree and GPA etc.. A law students undergrad GPA means nothing to a law firm and the undergrad school does not mean much either. Again if your graduate degree is in the field which the job is in.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
falstaff From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 5177 posts, RR: 33 Reply 16, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 649 times:
Quoting flymia (Reply 15): Employers care much more about your graduate degree and GPA
that depends on how far out of school you are. When I interviewed for the job I have now my GPA never once came up, it was all about my expierence. When you are fresh out of school that is about all a potential employer has to judge you by. By the time you get a few years in future potential employers don't care too much, because by then it is all about what you can do and bring to their organization.
Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 608 times:
I'm thinking more so an aeronautical sciences degree with another minor, possibly Aviation Business Admin or something along those lines. Would that major not be valuable as a backup? Jobs at say Boeing, Airbus, Nasa, Bombardier etc...?
I can't think of a lot that I'm very interested in doing outside the industry... I've looked into many things but anything other than aviation seems boring to be honest.
Quoting flymia (Reply 11): As for the flying your doing the right thing not doing it with a school. You mentioned an EU passport. Besides for English are you fluent in any other language? Getting a flying job is a bit less difficult in Europe than in North America. And I am talking about 500 hours in the right seat of a 737 or A320.
I do not speak any other languages and I've also considered options of converting after my CPL is done and getting a frozen JAA ATPL.. I know in Asia there are lots of airlines hiring, in fact a friend of mine was hired with a type rating on the A320 and very little time on type... maybe a few hundred hours total... he's getting his upgrade to captain this year after 3 years with the airline.
BMI727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 11547 posts, RR: 27 Reply 19, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 607 times:
Quoting Boeingorbust (Reply 18): I'm thinking more so an aeronautical sciences degree with another minor, possibly Aviation Business Admin or something along those lines.
Why would you need aeronautical sciences at all? That's basically just flight school, so you can get your ratings and hours cheaper at a flight school and get a general business degree.
Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 604 times:
True... I appreciate the input from everyone! If anyone has any other input or advice I'd appreciate it! I guess in the mean time I'll keep flying out of my FBO and hope to find something that works. Advantage is a get a huge discount on flying as I also work at my FBO haha.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 600 times:
As an ERAU grad I was in a different situation than yours. I actually went to one of the campuses for 5 years. Loved every minute of it. Yes, its expensive but in my mind it was well worth it. But I will echo the sentiments of others, specially since you already started training: just get your degree elsewhere, then come back to ERAU and do an online master's degree in an aviation field if you like. From what I've seen, the engineers seem to benefit more from the ERAU name. I knew more than a few engineers who were snatched right after senior year and went straight to work for Lockheed, NASA, Northrop, Boeing, etc, a few of them earning $100k a year right off the bat. Meanwhile almost everybody in my pilot graduating class ditched flying as nobody could find flying jobs, and those that did were lucky to make over $20k. Took me 3 years to get my first flying job (graduated 08). Worst 3 years of my life. But that's the flying side for ya
Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 3 hours ago) and read 598 times:
Thing is I've been told by airline execs (some of which attended ERAU) that that is a great school to go to in the aviation business as airlines love it! That caused my desire to want to go there.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 23, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 589 times:
Quoting Boeingorbust (Reply 22): Thing is I've been told by airline execs (some of which attended ERAU) that that is a great school to go to in the aviation business as airlines love it! That caused my desire to want to go there.
Having the ERAU name certainly won't hurt. The airline I interned with only would hire ERAU students, for example.
Truth be told is that anybody that tells you that an ERAU degree is completely worthless is full of it. But so is anybody that tells you that it's going to magically get you an amazing job.
Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (3 months 4 weeks 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 587 times:
Of course not but working at an airline and and moving up in leadership and gaining that degree to the point that it puts u above all others... not only that but adding that being a pilot they wont hurt u at all either especially in comparison to other degrees or those with no degrees at all... I can appreciate that those in here are trying to gear for stability in an unstable industry which is of course the smartest idea, but there will always be airlines and they'll always need leadership and pilots... I just intend to do anything I can to stay in it. There's a lot of negativity and I can see why. I guess I'm more faithful than negative I suppose.
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 5674 posts, RR: 6 Reply 25, posted (3 months 4 weeks 11 hours ago) and read 553 times:
I just don't think something as focused in aviation business is really worth it. ERAU is fantastic for engineering but again you may not get a job at an airport or airline right away. Many airlines will want guys who had soe good years at other businesses proving they know how business works. If you really do want a degree in aviation I think you must then do either a undergrad degree in a generic business field and then get a graduate degree in an aviation field OR get an undergrad degree in an aviation field and then your MBA.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
Boeingorbust From Canada, joined Oct 2011, 133 posts, RR: 0 Reply 26, posted (3 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 523 times:
Regardless it's still a business degree, just aviation focused during school. I have a friend taking a business degree doing the same thing with sports management. I totally believe that airlines want proven business experience but it does have to start somewhere. Airlines like to promote from within so it could be a very handy degree to have. I find many are against ERAU because it's so expensive for a business degree however the course I am taking online is comparable to an average business degree at a decent school elsewhere and I believe is a good move for someone wanting to stay in the industry. Getting a business degree with an emphasis in airline management doesn't mean you'll never get a job anywhere else if the industry is on a downslope.
Fly2HMO From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 27, posted (3 months 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 519 times:
Quoting Boeingorbust (Reply 26): Regardless it's still a business degree, just aviation focused during school. I have a friend taking a business degree doing the same thing with sports management. I totally believe that airlines want proven business experience but it does have to start somewhere. Airlines like to promote from within so it could be a very handy degree to have. I find many are against ERAU because it's so expensive for a business degree however the course I am taking online is comparable to an average business degree at a decent school elsewhere and I believe is a good move for someone wanting to stay in the industry. Getting a business degree with an emphasis in airline management doesn't mean you'll never get a job anywhere else if the industry is on a downslope.
Well ,sounds like you got your mind set so just go to ERAU and be done with it.
panam330 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2510 posts, RR: 13 Reply 29, posted (3 months 3 weeks 4 days 5 hours ago) and read 418 times:
I went to Riddle. Loved the school - truly, everything about it. The atmosphere is truly unmatched for those that love anything and everything aviation. I just hate the student loan payment every month now. If it's not a tough pill to swallow, go for it.
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