Run like he** away from aviation!

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Expilot, I'm like the opposite of you.

I just graduated from college, with a degree in Aerospace engineering, and have a very high paying job.

I'm hoping to fly with a regional airline soon (even though it will mean a 2/3 pay cut from what I currently make).

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

I have heard a few Riddle grads say: "The courses I took at Riddle were really engineering courses. All I have to do it take a few more courses at an engineering school and I will get an AE degree." BULL***T. Only two courses from Riddle transfer to any engineering curriculum - English and Writing. You need 6 semesters of calculus, physics, chemistry. Aeronautical Science doesn't even touch on that stuff. Basically, an Aeronautical Science degree costs a heck of a lot but it only qualifies you for one very specific job. The degree is not transferrable to 'real life' jobs. When you graduate and see this, you will realize how screwed you are.

Absolutely agree!

[MFT1Air]

You really can't go wrong with an Aerospace engineering degree. I'd highly recommend it, if you are good at math and physics.

Oops, ruled me out. I even now use an electronic E6B to do aviation math.

. . .but before I digress, I tell many who for whatever reason choose not to go to college to go and, through hard work and staying the course, to pursue whatever dreams they may have. The same comments hold true in the aviation field as well. For aviators, this means long hours at the airport CFIng, freight and regional flying with perhaps one day making it to "the bigs" . . .or perhaps not. If you do make it, it's not all glamor nor does it promise a substantial 401K for a debt free retirement. If you're pursuing your dream, none of those things relating to "the business aspect of the industry" should matter.

For me personally, it's the love of aviation and not "the job."

[bradj2000]

[/quote]
If you want to have a comfortable life, wife, kids, two cars, house in the suburbs, gifts under the Christmas tree, all the trimmings, etc. all I can say is get into a real profession as soon as you can. For anyone wanting to fly for a living, my advice is to run as fast as you can away from any office that has wings attached to it.
[/quote]


I would shoot myself in the head with a pistol if this happened to me.
I want that gig teaching in China, then land a gig at Air China and be based in Bangkok (which I have been too.....twice )

Sitting in a cubicle in suburbia, been there done that, no thanks.

[Fly777bigBIRD]

hmm how about some people don't like other jobs but just a degree in Aero Sci.?

I see that many people wanted to be a pilot flying for companies and that people here say not to get a aero. sci. degree. I also heard that many people would not like other jobs but just Aero. Sci.

I had ask many people at my FBO, and they say if your gonna get a backup degree but then do not like the job or no other that interest you, then it would be a waste of time and money.

one of the instructor which he just graduated from Riddle (hes a young guy probably in his 20s) told me that his debt is over 120,000 grand im like holy ^&*% and said Riddle is crap and that he knew he shoulda go to UND b/c it was more interactive. But then again, he told me just get a degree in what you like best but not a alternative.

[MFT1Air]

I want that gig teaching in China, then land a gig at Air China and be based in Bangkok (which I have been too.....twice )

Instead of abandoning wife, kids and suburbia for the French Foreign Legion, that Air China gig does appeal to me as well. Makes for a better "Plan B."

[Stone Cold]

Originally Posted by MFT1Air

Instead of abandoning wife, kids and suburbia for the French Foreign Legion, that Air China gig does appeal to me as well. Makes for a better "Plan B."

Who is it doing the CFI thing in China? I would like to get some info from them, and thought I had the right person, but didn't. Anybody that knows, please PM me. Thanks. And, yes, too tired to search it out.

[caliginousface]

Expilot I dig what you're saying brothaman. I often find myself wondering if I'm doing the right thing by pursuing a career in aviation, when it seems it will be the first industry to fold should crude oil continue it's march. I'm pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies with focus on Energy in case things don't work out, but I don't know.

I'm def no longer looking at a major carrier for a job, much to my parents dismay as they are the ones that have funded my training so far .

Your life doesn't suck it looks like, so good job on making the right choice for you. But it will probably be us who takes the hit when everything starts to fall.

[intern_mike]

The way I see it, it's what you do with your time which dictates how much money you should make. If you fly and love what you do the money shouldn't matter. I can either have a job I hate and fly on the weekends, or fly for a living and make money on the side. In my case money/quality of life is very important. This means that I will be doing something on the side for extra cash. With all the time off, there's really no excuse why you couldn't have a second job that you enjoy and make some extra money.

[meritflyer]

Give this guy a break!! Why the hell is it when someone comes here with a different view than the CFIs and/or regional pilots, some of which have little professional aviation experience, bash a person with a different opinion.

I gotta say that several dynamics of aviation are subpar. When ever they're brought up, people get slammed.

Maybe this is a factor as to why pilots have taken such a beating financially. If they'd wake up and smell the thorns and be proactive towards a solution instead of freaking out at someone who, for the most part speaks the truth, doesnt have shiny-jet syndrome.

Grow up people...

And by the way expilot, welcome to JC.

[boeing 777-300]

3 words. Fixed Base Operation.

as for the industry. i have no words for that.

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by txpilot

Who is it doing the CFI thing in China? I would like to get some info from them, and thought I had the right person, but didn't. Anybody that knows, please PM me. Thanks. And, yes, too tired to search it out.

I'll relook. I actually had someone send it to me. I'll look again.

[bradj2000]

I have just read many posts regarding the cfi gig in China, I think I may change my line of thinking. Many points made on the pro's and con's and the con's have it as of now.

[Doug Taylor]

Like Pat said, it's not for everyone. But a unique opportunity that might highly interest someone with a taste for adventure.

Personally, I'd do it. But if you're not a tough, flexible, self-starter, it's not going to work.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Like Pat said, it's not for everyone. But a unique opportunity that might highly interest someone with a taste for adventure.

Personally, I'd do it. But if you're not a tough, flexible, self-starter, it's not going to work.

Ditto on all that.

In my first career I spent a few months living/working in Cairo, Egypt. It was a noisy, polluted city with few amenities, and I still wouldn't trade the experience for the world. You just have to have the right attitude going in to a situation like this and it can be great, I'd bet.

[FlYemHI]

So being here at Riddle now, enrolled in the AeroSci program would it be safe to say I made the wrong decision?

Now before anybody says its what you make of it or it could help you in the future, I reaaalllyyy dont like it here so far. Daytona is very much washed out and Riddle, is becoming more and more the SELF proclaimed best in aviation school. Plus...no girls. lol

If flying is really what I want to do, which it most certainly is, would it be better to go to my dream school, OHIO STATE, and get a degree in buisness or engineering and fly using there aviation program. I could even dual major, which is no problem for me.

I have been here a couple days now and I am really one to take things at face value alot of the time, and so far...not so impressing. My roomate and 2 suitemates feel very much the same.

[Doug Taylor]

I'd suggest a non-aviation degree at a state college.

JMHO.

[caliginousface]

Originally Posted by FlYemHI

So being here at Riddle now, enrolled in the AeroSci program would it be safe to say I made the wrong decision?

Now before anybody says its what you make of it or it could help you in the future, I reaaalllyyy dont like it here so far. Daytona is very much washed out and Riddle, is becoming more and more the SELF proclaimed best in aviation school. Plus...no girls. lol

If flying is really what I want to do, which it most certainly is, would it be better to go to my dream school, OHIO STATE, and get a degree in buisness or engineering and fly using there aviation program. I could even dual major, which is no problem for me.

I have been here a couple days now and I am really one to take things at face value alot of the time, and so far...not so impressing. My roomate and 2 suitemates feel very much the same.

Hey dude,
When I got to Riddle PRC we were all excited to be at "The Harvard of the Skies!" because we took their words for what they were. Multiple corporate pilots, flight instructors, and fellow pilots advised me not to go (including Doug and other grads from this site. I didn't listen). After going there for a summer and semester I realized what all those people were all saying. I had put my eggs all in one basket, and left myself no outs incase something bad happened. Part 142 is so rigid coming from a 61/141 environment coupled with with quite a bit of $$ for tuition and such that I was no longer having fun, acutally I hated flying. I was learning the multi and I hated it! I stopped riddle flying and went across the field for the rest of the semester and finished my instrument rating, and came back home.

I left after a summer semester and fall semester. You don't need to use a university's flying program, a local FBO will do the job and as long as you're dedicated you can get it done as fast as you can progress. I would've had my CFI in fall of 07, but I just passed the ride for it a few weeks ago.

My advice, go to a state school, a college town school with a football team, cheaper tuition, chicks haha, study something else that interests you, you know, in case you lose your medical certificate. But if all you want to learn is aviation stuff, then more power to you brothaman.

[Doug Taylor]

By all means, it's a good school. I met some of the best people on earth during my 5 year tenure there.

The flight academics are good, but the non-aviation curriculum is seriously a waste of time for an educated high school graduate. "Maff for piolets" and "Werld Hisstory fer people who really just want the kreditts" wasn't worth the cost per credit hour.

But in retrospect, if my kid wanted to follow in my footsteps, I'd have him study something technical at a state college and flight train during semester breaks or after graduation.

[DE727UPS]

"go to my dream school, OHIO STATE, and get a degree in buisness or engineering and fly using there aviation program"

Now that sounds like a good plan.

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by MFT1Air

I'll relook. I actually had someone send it to me. I'll look again.

http://forums.jetcareers.com/showthr...069#post424069

Here you go.

[boeing 777-300]

I'd suggest a non-aviation degree at a state college.

word.

[FlYemHI]

Sounds like a plan to me. Maybe I better start re-thinking the way to go about this. Thanks all.

[FlyWhiteSox]

Another saved by Jetcareers.

[Cherokee_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

"go to my dream school, OHIO STATE, and get a degree in buisness or engineering and fly using there aviation program"

Now that sounds like a good plan.

Forget Ohio State! They suck!

Am I biased cause I went to Michigan, and the two are sworn enemies? Sure...