What should I do?

autiger10 · June 15th, 2007, 17:36

Ok, here I am, once again banging my head on the wall trying to decide if I should continue with this graduate degree I'm in as a teacher/sport coaching (which will take me till either Aug or Dec '08) or should I just finish this Summer semester and then go to a flight school? I truly want to learn to fly, but I just don't have the money for both a graduate degree and flight school. What is the general opinion out there? Ahh the wonderful world of making THAT decision (I sound like my fiancee when I ask her where she wants to eat for the night) Thanks all!

dc3flyer · June 15th, 2007, 17:50

I would say finish the degree, if you are that close (a year is nothing), and then go to flght school. You can always start taking a few lessons in the meantime to keep your interests sparked!!

nkoenig · June 15th, 2007, 20:10

I like the Tiki bar idea... I say drop out and get down there...

murl · June 15th, 2007, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkoenig

I like the Tiki bar idea... I say drop out and get down there...

Need a business partner?

Flyboy 4 · June 15th, 2007, 22:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by autiger10

Ok, here I am, once again banging my head on the wall trying to decide if I should continue with this graduate degree I'm

I am not a manager, I can only make two drinks, but after the day / days I have had lately I would take all my school money and go in 50/50 on the tiki bar with you.

autiger10 · June 15th, 2007, 22:51

Tiki bar it is!!! Which island do you all want to go to?

Flyboy 4 · June 15th, 2007, 22:57

Belize sounds nice and it is still America

Kristie · June 16th, 2007, 02:09

Belize? they have mosquito's down there... i can't partner in a place that has mosquito's!

btw.. put me in for the tiki bar anyways! always did want to have one of those - here in the desert!

btw.. how long have you been taking classes for your graduate? cuz i'd say if your over 50% done already, keep going, it makes for good backup!

autiger10 · June 16th, 2007, 08:07

This is only my 2nd semester in grad school. I still have 3 or 4 more semesters to go (all depending on if my advisor will actually ADVISE me). So it's going to be at least another year before I graduate. If I was to start flight school in Aug., I could be working (CFI) within a year. It's definitely a tough decision!

surreal1221 · June 16th, 2007, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkoenig

I like the Tiki bar idea... I say drop out and get down there...

autiger10 · June 17th, 2007, 01:25

Alright everyone, besides the Tiki Bar idea (which is a good idea) I've received a few votes to go on with flight school after this semester and only one vote to stay with the teaching thing. I think I'm gonna go fly!!! How does that sound to everyone? Should I do it?? My gut says "yeah!" That itch just won't go away! Give me a little feedback

Flyboy 4 · June 17th, 2007, 01:54

Seriously - My opinion go to a FBO Flexible schedule and if you get all your certs first then a college will give you credit for those that apply towards a bachelors degree in aviation. Start your school first then they want you to pay your FBO for the certs and then BUY the credits as well from them that would apply towards your BS in Aviation. My FBO is so flexible and I fly usually fly twice a day and occasionally more.

Beechlover · June 18th, 2007, 09:36

Here's the thing I see. The industry "today" is mad for pilots. The question I would be asking myself if I were in your shoes is this.., If I really want a career in flying, I already have a bachelors, so I've filled the Major airline requirement there. Anything above a Bachelors is overkill (as far as the airline industry is concerned) If I start flying now, In a year (or less) I could be CFIing and perhaps be hirable by the end of '08 or spring of '09. Hiring is "expected" (so I've read) to continue for some time. So I would say, providing there are no unexpected curve balls in your life, you have a better than reasonable chance of at least being picked up by a regional carrier in the next 2 years.

Now, lets say you finish the masters program and then pursue flying anyway. Is the Masters degree a thing that is perishable? In other words if you decide 3 or 5 or 10 yrs from now that flying for a living is not what you thought it would be and you would like to get back into your previous profession, would you be able to do it having not worked in the field and having a X-year old grad degree.

I would say it all comes down to what you truly want to do with your life and what you actually CAN do financially and so on. Me, I would probably get into flying now, there's a very high likely hood things are going to continue to go well from the hiring stand point and the money spent on a degree that may or may not get utilized can be spent on something you will actually use and grow a career with. just my 2 pennies Best of luck!

GalaxyIFE · June 18th, 2007, 09:36

Have you given any though to an online Master's program? I am doing Webster's and with a little "motivation" you can finish it in less than a year. Sure, it isn't cheap but you can get it done quickly.

beechpilot84 · June 18th, 2007, 13:03

Finish the degree!! It's a no brainer in my opinion

View Poll Results: What is the general opinion out there?
Finish up the Summer Semester and then go to flight school	4	16.67%
Finish up grad school and be a teacher	3	12.50%
Move to the islands and open a Tiki bar??	17	70.83%
Voters: 24. You may not vote on this poll

June 15th, 2007, 17:36	#1
autiger10 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 37	What should I do? Ok, here I am, once again banging my head on the wall trying to decide if I should continue with this graduate degree I'm in as a teacher/sport coaching (which will take me till either Aug or Dec '08) or should I just finish this Summer semester and then go to a flight school? I truly want to learn to fly, but I just don't have the money for both a graduate degree and flight school. What is the general opinion out there? Ahh the wonderful world of making THAT decision (I sound like my fiancee when I ask her where she wants to eat for the night) Thanks all!

June 15th, 2007, 17:50	#2
dc3flyer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Everywhere Posts: 1,108	Re: What should I do? I would say finish the degree, if you are that close (a year is nothing), and then go to flght school. You can always start taking a few lessons in the meantime to keep your interests sparked!! __________________ Paid to wait.... Fly for fun! Last edited by dc3flyer; June 15th, 2007 at 17:51. Reason: I forgot to add.... GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!

June 15th, 2007, 20:10	#3
nkoenig Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 407	Re: What should I do? I like the Tiki bar idea... I say drop out and get down there...

June 15th, 2007, 22:51	#6
autiger10 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 37	Re: What should I do? Tiki bar it is!!! Which island do you all want to go to?

June 15th, 2007, 22:57	#7
Flyboy 4 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 120	Re: What should I do? Belize sounds nice and it is still America

June 16th, 2007, 02:09	#8
Kristie Big Chief's Woman Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona Posts: 17,706 Blog Entries: 3	Re: What should I do? Belize? they have mosquito's down there... i can't partner in a place that has mosquito's! btw.. put me in for the tiki bar anyways! always did want to have one of those - here in the desert! btw.. how long have you been taking classes for your graduate? cuz i'd say if your over 50% done already, keep going, it makes for good backup! __________________ Wife of a Delta B767 ER F/O jetgirls.net

June 16th, 2007, 08:07	#9
autiger10 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 37	Re: What should I do? This is only my 2nd semester in grad school. I still have 3 or 4 more semesters to go (all depending on if my advisor will actually ADVISE me). So it's going to be at least another year before I graduate. If I was to start flight school in Aug., I could be working (CFI) within a year. It's definitely a tough decision!

June 17th, 2007, 01:25	#11
autiger10 Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Auburn, AL Posts: 37	Re: What should I do? Alright everyone, besides the Tiki Bar idea (which is a good idea) I've received a few votes to go on with flight school after this semester and only one vote to stay with the teaching thing. I think I'm gonna go fly!!! How does that sound to everyone? Should I do it?? My gut says "yeah!" That itch just won't go away! Give me a little feedback

June 17th, 2007, 01:54	#12
Flyboy 4 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 120	Re: What should I do? Seriously - My opinion go to a FBO Flexible schedule and if you get all your certs first then a college will give you credit for those that apply towards a bachelors degree in aviation. Start your school first then they want you to pay your FBO for the certs and then BUY the credits as well from them that would apply towards your BS in Aviation. My FBO is so flexible and I fly usually fly twice a day and occasionally more.

June 18th, 2007, 09:36	#13
Beechlover Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Flyin with my Sweetie!!! Posts: 259	Re: What should I do? Here's the thing I see. The industry "today" is mad for pilots. The question I would be asking myself if I were in your shoes is this.., If I really want a career in flying, I already have a bachelors, so I've filled the Major airline requirement there. Anything above a Bachelors is overkill (as far as the airline industry is concerned) If I start flying now, In a year (or less) I could be CFIing and perhaps be hirable by the end of '08 or spring of '09. Hiring is "expected" (so I've read) to continue for some time. So I would say, providing there are no unexpected curve balls in your life, you have a better than reasonable chance of at least being picked up by a regional carrier in the next 2 years. Now, lets say you finish the masters program and then pursue flying anyway. Is the Masters degree a thing that is perishable? In other words if you decide 3 or 5 or 10 yrs from now that flying for a living is not what you thought it would be and you would like to get back into your previous profession, would you be able to do it having not worked in the field and having a X-year old grad degree. I would say it all comes down to what you truly want to do with your life and what you actually CAN do financially and so on. Me, I would probably get into flying now, there's a very high likely hood things are going to continue to go well from the hiring stand point and the money spent on a degree that may or may not get utilized can be spent on something you will actually use and grow a career with. just my 2 pennies Best of luck! __________________ Life is Good! Do what you love, love what you do!

June 18th, 2007, 09:36	#14
GalaxyIFE Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: San Antonio TX or anywhere Uncle Sugar wants me.... Posts: 781	Re: What should I do? Have you given any though to an online Master's program? I am doing Webster's and with a little "motivation" you can finish it in less than a year. Sure, it isn't cheap but you can get it done quickly.

June 18th, 2007, 13:03	#15
beechpilot84 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Yakima, WA Posts: 48	Re: What should I do? Finish the degree!! It's a no brainer in my opinion

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