Questions before I go to college

[RickRoss747]

I will be attending MTSU in a couple of years, and my main goal is to become a pilot. While I minor in the pro pilot/aviation program, I was going to major in flight dispatch and scheduling for a back up. My question is, would this be a good backup? If I was flying for a regional for about five years, and got layed off, would I easily be able to turn to air traffic controlling? I've never heard any pilots that majored in air traffic controlling, is it possible?

thanks guys

[ZapBrannigan]

The age limit is the problem with an ATC career as a backup. If you do not intend for that to be your career then that particular "get out of jail free" card expires after you turn 31.

In 1998 after being furloughed by AirTran I went out and got a dispatchers rating. I figured, much like you, that I might be able to find a job as a dispatcher.

After 09/11 when I was furloughed (again) I discovered that there were no available dispatcher jobs either.

I think having a dispatcher certificate is a great idea -- but I still do not advocate any kind of Aviation degree. I believe strongly that kids growing up in aviation today should have a degree in a non-aviation related field of study.

[ALSF2]

I think having a dispatcher certificate is a great idea -- but I still do not advocate any kind of Aviation degree. I believe strongly that kids growing up in aviation today should have a degree in a non-aviation related field of study.

Such as?
I am looking at attending MTSU this next semester, Spring 2008. Accepted, registered, approved for Com. flight lab. Just down to confirming with a mouse-click. What kind of degree would you recommend for someone who wants to be involved Aviation?

[ZapBrannigan]

Underwater basket weaving....really doesnt matter to be honest. Just another field of study that will allow you to earn a living when you get furloughed, go on strike, or your airline goes out of business.

[ALSF2]

Hehe not enough people signed up, those classes did not make!
For someone who did not "grow up" in aviation...I'm assuming you'd say the same thing?

[ZapBrannigan]

Yes. And i'm not trying to dismiss your dreams or your plans. I just want you to have the benefit of my experience, and my mistakes.

After being furloughed several times, gone through bankruptcies and work actions, my belief is that jobs in aviation are good "jobs" but lousy "careers". The best thing you can do is to have an insurance policy.

The best insurance policy is university-level training in another field. Whatever you like! Computer science? Restaurant management? Accounting? Who knows? It's up to you. Just find something you might like to do if you can no longer fly.

The airlines wont care what your degree is in. They just want you to have a degree to prove that you can set your mind to something and accomplish it. So why bother with a degree in aviation that is largely useless elsewhere in the business world? (I know mine is).

Good luck

[Fox Xray]

I know nothing about flight dispatch but a bit about ATC ...

ATC is not a good fall back plan simply because it is a Gov't job and they can go into hiring freeze mode at any moment. While hiring has been good the last few years and should remain that way it is far from a guarantee. I like the advice given, look for a plan B outside of aviation. Go to the FAA website, they are giving the ATC exam all over the country and you do not need an aviation degree for it.

There is a flight dispatch forum on here... the folks in there would have more info on dispatch.