Expert: D. Norkus - 7/11/2006

Question
Thanx for all the help, and sorry I keep asking questions but one more, HA. SO you advise against getting the degree? It doesn't look a whole lot better to have a degree in aviation or nething? Because I am going to my JC for 2 years then wanting to transfer to San Jose State for my last 2 years for a degree in aviation.
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Followup To

Question -
Hi DOttie, thanks for the advice. I did have one more quick quesiton though. The one thing I was debating about NAVY or pilot school was the money. I want to get my BS in aviation then attend a flight school. I estimated that it would come out to approximately $60-$80 thousand dollars. And the also I would have to build up flight time which could take a year or so and then pay back those loans for the next 10 years. But the Navy I imagine I could log enough flight hours in the 4 years I spent with them to get hired by a good airline right after I'm finished with my time served. SO if you could help again I would appreciate it. I'm really confused about what to do. Thank you.

Trey
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Followup To

Question -
Hi,
I'm looking into becoming a pilot. I just graduated high school and about to attend a JC. I was wondering what would be the better option to do help me get hired by a major airline, Do a Navy ROTC program and get my experience there, or go to an accredited flight school. I heard Military personnell are looked upon much higher. I was just wondering your thoughts. Thank you

Answer -
Trey,

If you simply want to fly for an airline, do not join the armed forces simply as a means to that end. Do it if you really want to serve your country but don't think of it simply as a way to get "free flight training" so you can become an airline pilot.

In all reality, it's not truly "free" and the openings for military aviators are fewer and more competitive than they have ever been. If you somehow manage to even get accepted into the service as a pilot candidate and make it through flight school, you will be committed for a dedade or more. You could also get killed in the line of duty.

In decades past, the major airlines drew almost exculsively from the pool of military pilots leaving the service. Former military pilots dominated the hiring boards and they would recommend their friends who were getting out of the service and looking into airline careers. This big "squadron buddy" network was how the majority of pilots got hired.

That is not the case today. For several years now the airlines have been increasingly hiring pilots from a civilian background. According to statistics compiled from Air Inc*, (http://www.jet-jobs.com an airline pilot career counseling service) about 65% of major airline new hires are civilian. This is partly the result of a smaller pool of military pilots available to the airlines than in decades past and the increase in the number of civilian trained pilots with previous jet and airline experience. Almost all the regionals now fly jets, many that go higher or are more advanced than mainline aircraft. Additionally, most pilots looking to move onto a major carrier will have several times over the amount of flight experience as a military aviator because of their regional job.

If you were to go the civilian route, you could get a job by age 21, the youngest regional airlines hire pilots, if you really applied yourself and got qualified ver the next 3 years. Most military trained pilots are in their 30's by the time they go to the airlines due to their military commitment. After several years at a regional, you could then apply to a major and surely get that job before you turned 30 giving you more years in the career before mandatory retirement at age 60.

Check out my website about flight training & airline pilot career FAQs for more info-

http://www.geocities.com/av8trxx99/FAQ.html

There are links to current & aspiring airline pilot message boards for the exchange of information that you will find very useful at the bottom of the page too.

Hope this helps
Dottie

*PS: Air Inc. publishes "Airline Pilot Careers" magazine and you do not have to purchase to their other career services to get a subscription. Try it out.

Answer -
Trey


"I want to get my BS in aviation then attend a flight school. I estimated that it would come out to approximately $60-$80 thousand dollars. And ... I would have to build up flight time which could take a year or so and then pay back those loans for the next 10 years. "

Some points to ponder-
1. You do not need a degree in aviation to become a pilot. In fact, many advise AGAINST it. If you ever get furloughed during your career, you have nothing to fall back on.

2. You can get all your certificates & ratings, become an MEI instructor and in about 12-18 months still be qualified to get hired by a regional at age 21- all for less than $40K.  I am flying with a 23 year old who did it (plus a few others who did it as well). They did the ATP Career Track  

Answer
"SO you advise against getting the degree? It doesn't look a whole lot better to have a degree in aviation or nething?"

Trey

Yes, DO get a degree- in ANY subject.

To major in aviation is the question. As an aspiring airline pilot, a degree in aviation is something of interest that will help you get good grades and broaden your aviation knowledge. However, it isn't a degre that has any use outside of the industry. That is a place that many pilots have found themselves when they were furloughed post 9/11. (There are a lot of unemployed airline pilots working at Home Depot or wherever until they get recalled!)

Check out the Jetcareers page on degrees-  
http://www.jetcareers.com/content/view/22/44/

That page sums it up pretty well.

Dottie

PS- that ATP Career Track link is http://www.atpflightschool.com/airline_training_programs/index.html

A few of the F/Os at my base are on here- http://www2.atpflightschool.com/AirlinePlacements/