KLM672 From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 2357 posts, RR: 3 Posted (5 years 7 months 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1604 times:
Not sure if this is in the right place so please move it if its not.
I have been looking at both Flight Academies and Colleges for my career in aviation. I currently have 43 credits at a State college in Vermont and feel I'd waste them if I don't continue. It's a long story on how I am no longer in college but if anyone wants to hear it (its aviation related!) let me know and I'll post it. I just don't want to create a book before my actual post.
With College, I do realize that I can major in anything and still fly, any degree is acceptable but I have zero hours. Going to an FBO is pretty much out of the question due to my job. Flight Academy's look really good but how do they compare to college? Should I worry if the college doesn't accept my credits? A lot of the classes I took simply to fill the credit and I do not want to take them again. Pros/Cons of college vs Academy?
Thanks,
Andre
TheGreatChecko From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1110 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (5 years 7 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 1589 times:
Depends on your goals. Unfortunately, many of the "better" flying jobs out there want a degree, so at some point you will need a four year degree to get anywhere in your career. It is possible to make it without a degree, its just a lot more difficult.
OTOH, nothing stops you from going to the academy, getting the flying job, then working on the degree online later on (Embry Riddle comes to mind, a bit spendy though). Just make sure you don't put it off. I know too many pilots at my previous job that can't go anywhere they want to because they don't have a four year degree and are scrambling to get it done before the industry stops hiring again.
Right now is a great time to get started as a pilot. That doesn't mean you won't have to sacrifice, you'll probably just be able to pick and choose where you want to have your first job, which isn't a bad deal! Check out some of the pilot boards if you want advise on where to go, it'll keep you from making some serious career mistakes (www.propilotworld.com, www.airlinepilotcentral.com,www.flightinfo.com).
Checko
"A pilot's plane she is. She will love you if you deserve it, and try to kill you if you don't...She is the Mighty Q400"
737tdi From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 468 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (5 years 6 months 4 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 1485 times:
My opinion: Stay far away, away away from any career in aviation. Just fly on them. Do you know it's $32.000 to go to school for a A&P license. Hell that's what 2 years in a regular college? And alot less hours. What is unbelievable is you have to go to school for 8 hours. Why is this not a college degree. Don't do it. I work in the cold, the rain and every bit of nasty weather you can inagine. This crap is awesome but it is still crap. LEARN COMPUTERS
737tdi From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 468 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 6 months 4 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 1462 times:
KLM672: I'll try to be a little more specific. Which I did not do in my reply earlier. If you want to be an aircraft mechanic follow these instructions. Don't, Don't, Don't........I have been doing this since yr. 1978 and I started making good money about 10 yrs ago. I spent 10 yrs. in the U.S.M.C. which qualified me for my license. I took the test and there you go. I worked for a sweat shop for a few years and almost got out of the business. I now work for SWA and am very happy but it took me a long, long, time to get here. If you are willing to put up with this stufff than good luck. If it was me I would find another career. I'm asssuming you are a young man looking for a career?? Good Luck.
Thegreatchecko From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 1110 posts, RR: 3 Reply 5, posted (5 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1450 times:
Quoting 737tdi (Reply 4): I now work for SWA and am very happy but it took me a long, long, time to get here. If you are willing to put up with this stufff than good luck. If it was me I would find another career. I'm asssuming you are a young man looking for a career??
Unfortunately, that's the state for just about everyone in this industry these days. You do it because you love it and are willing to work hard to make it happen.
Like 737, we all have or are making sacrifices to make our way forward in this industry. If you want to do it, expect to work hard, give up a lot of things, work odd hours and on holidays, and not make much money. On the other hand, you'll be doing something you enjoy and not be stuck in an office all day long. Its all about what is right for you.
Checko
"A pilot's plane she is. She will love you if you deserve it, and try to kill you if you don't...She is the Mighty Q400"
KLM672 From United States of America, joined Oct 1999, 2357 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (5 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 1427 times:
Hello everyone. I'd like to be a pilot. I am a flight attendant already so I am use to all the odd hours and life on the road. I don't mind it at all. Nothing beats being able to say "Well, I woke up in GRR and had breakfast, had lunch in CLE and dinner and a nice beer in ERI"
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