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Flyboy 4 · March 11th, 2007, 14:22

I am older than you and most people think that it will not be a big factor, especially after my first career pilot job. Here are some things I think I have learned about chasing the dream.

I was going to fly in AZ but the school I was going to go to is having financial problems. I have learned from getting involved with "forumjetcareers.com that in todays climate of getting hired with commercial airlines, it does not require going to an expensive school. Good or bad the hiring minimums have dropped and most places are not even requiring a degree to apply. However I have read a statistic that reports that nearly 100% of new hires have a degree in one field or another.
Colleges take longer, academies are very fast and expensive but, a lot of people in the business think you can get your hours at a Fixed Base Operation or a FBOs and that most are flexible enough that you can get your hours as fast as an academy but for a lot less money.
I have chosen to go to an FBO in Spanish Fork Ut and believe that I will fair just as well finding a job as anyone who went to an expensive academy. I realize that even though Regional Airlines will hire well below their posted minimums I may need to build some time and experience before I get hired. Remember that application requirements for hours and degrees are one thing and actually being offered the job over the other prospective candidates is another. If you talk to people at different FBOs you find there are many different ways to do build time, from Instructing to Utility line spotting. I have heard of some smaller freight companies with low hiring minimums that don’t pay much but can really help you build up some serious hours and experience for your resume as opposed to paying a school for time building only.

Every one needs to do their own research and not any one path works for everyone. In my research this seems to be the best path for me. Also be aware of a serious pitfall with colleges. They wont tell you this when you are signing up with them but - if you take any flight classes with them, then you are locked in with them to buy all your flight credits with them if you are looking for a Degree. Where as if I would have gone to any other accredited school or academy and then came back to them for a degree they would have just given me credit for those classes. I don’t think it is wrong for them to do that but I do think it is CRIMINAL for them not to explain that to you. So now I will pay my FBO school for flight lessons and then be forced to pay for them at my local college as well. Also be aware that not all your flight classes are needed for your degree ie....Multi Engine does not count towards my degree at my college but they are still trying to tell me I have to buy that credit from them as well.

Anyway from one older newbie to another - Good Luck to you and hope to see you out there someday soon.

March 11th, 2007, 14:22	#4
Flyboy 4 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 120	Re: Changing over at 39... I am older than you and most people think that it will not be a big factor, especially after my first career pilot job. Here are some things I think I have learned about chasing the dream. I was going to fly in AZ but the school I was going to go to is having financial problems. I have learned from getting involved with "forumjetcareers.com that in todays climate of getting hired with commercial airlines, it does not require going to an expensive school. Good or bad the hiring minimums have dropped and most places are not even requiring a degree to apply. However I have read a statistic that reports that nearly 100% of new hires have a degree in one field or another. Colleges take longer, academies are very fast and expensive but, a lot of people in the business think you can get your hours at a Fixed Base Operation or a FBOs and that most are flexible enough that you can get your hours as fast as an academy but for a lot less money. I have chosen to go to an FBO in Spanish Fork Ut and believe that I will fair just as well finding a job as anyone who went to an expensive academy. I realize that even though Regional Airlines will hire well below their posted minimums I may need to build some time and experience before I get hired. Remember that application requirements for hours and degrees are one thing and actually being offered the job over the other prospective candidates is another. If you talk to people at different FBOs you find there are many different ways to do build time, from Instructing to Utility line spotting. I have heard of some smaller freight companies with low hiring minimums that don’t pay much but can really help you build up some serious hours and experience for your resume as opposed to paying a school for time building only. Every one needs to do their own research and not any one path works for everyone. In my research this seems to be the best path for me. Also be aware of a serious pitfall with colleges. They wont tell you this when you are signing up with them but - if you take any flight classes with them, then you are locked in with them to buy all your flight credits with them if you are looking for a Degree. Where as if I would have gone to any other accredited school or academy and then came back to them for a degree they would have just given me credit for those classes. I don’t think it is wrong for them to do that but I do think it is CRIMINAL for them not to explain that to you. So now I will pay my FBO school for flight lessons and then be forced to pay for them at my local college as well. Also be aware that not all your flight classes are needed for your degree ie....Multi Engine does not count towards my degree at my college but they are still trying to tell me I have to buy that credit from them as well. Anyway from one older newbie to another - Good Luck to you and hope to see you out there someday soon.