Confused...

RobS · September 27th, 2005, 23:16

Just a year ago I had my future planned out and everything. I was going to go to a school that had an aviation program and become a pilot. Everything was going to work perfect and I would have no doubts on anything. I finished off High School with a 3.5gpa and 1190 SAT. While not stellar, they allowed me to get into every school I applied to. They included Virginia Tech, UMASS, Westfield State, University of Rhode Island, University of Maryland, UND, and Florida State.

Well then came the reality that I couldn't afford to do any of that. My parents have money, but since they both grew up in an atmosphere in which they had to pay to get where they are today, they want me to also. This caused me to trash most of my ideas and get a full time job so I could afford to fly. I have no credit for loans and my parents will not cosign anything.

Luckily for me, I got on with Southwest Airlines, as a ramper at BDL. So far this has allowed me to not only enjoy my job for the first time ever, but allowed me to see how an airline runs and how it basically owns you. I have also found out what it is like to work for a company that treats its' employees well. I make a decent wage with OT, I get very leniet flight benefits, along with health, dental, and medical coverage. I also get profit sharing if I want in.

I am also enrolled at a local CC for the Fall 05' semester with a few courses, so I wouldn't get out of touch with school. This was so if I chose to go to school full time, I wouldn't be out of the loop. Right now it's towards a Computer Science track as I figured just incase flying doesn't work out, I'll do that.

On top of all that, I'm working on my PPL at a local FBO.

Now the problem comes with what to do next semester. I haven't decided what to do with myself. I enjoy my job immensely, even after being there close to 60 hours the past week. The only problem is that I can no longer keep this job and go to school full time as the CS degree is quite demanding. I could no longer afford to fly however with the loss of my job unless I go for a student loan and use flight as a major at my local college.

I really enjoy flying so far but I'm also really into solving problems. CS seems great for that, but so does flying. CS provides more stability, better salary, but I'm hesitant on the whole office scene. I love working outdoors, but I would settle for a flight deck as an office as at least we are changing scenery.

So my choices are:

1. finish off this semester and just work full time for Southwest. I'm on track to be a ramp sup within the next few months. Fly for fun.

2. Go to a local college and get a aviation managment degree.

3. Get the CS degree. Get into GA. I would eventually like to start my own air taxi service as I really like corporate aviation.

I don't expect any one to tell me what to do, but any advice, would be awesome. Ask anything else you want. I know this wasn't organized perfect, but I'm tired from working and school.

Thanks,
Rob Showalter

dpilot83 · September 27th, 2005, 23:32

Short answer:

I believe a degree in general, and slightly more specifically, one not related to aviation is very important. The CS degree sounds like as good of an idea as any. Pursue aviation as much as you can in your spare time.

Long answer:

I'm currently a flight instructor at the same university I got my Airway Science degree in. While I'm hopeful about my future in aviation, I am also realizing, a little too late, that I have put all my eggs in one basket and there are a lot of different ways for my plan to fall through. If I were to do this again, I'd get a degree in anything else and spend my time at a local FBO getting my ratings on the side. Then I'd instruct to build time.

There are maybe a few opportunites I would miss out on by not pursueing an aviation degree, but I believe they'd be a small price to pay for having something solid to fall back on in case things didn't go as planned.

Theotokos · September 28th, 2005, 01:02

Yes, a non aviation degree is good. I plan to get mine in French. I have it planned like this:

1) Attend a local flight school
2) Go to college at the same time

So I might go to college in the morning then fly in the afternoons. Then instruct for a few years and finish up college. Doug is really good at giving advice, as are all the pilots on this site--they really helped me to realize that "gurenteed job with a major airline" is ######## and that it does not matter so much where you get your training because Delta will hire you, even if you did not attend Delta Connection.
I would say if you want to fly for fun that is fine. But do not throw all this away because you do not think you can afford it. If this is what you want to do, do it. I hate to see someone do somthing they really do not want to to all their life. So I would not say No 1. I cannot tell you what to do but I would choose option 3. Hope I helped.

September 27th, 2005, 23:16	#1
RobS Junior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 36	Confused... Just a year ago I had my future planned out and everything. I was going to go to a school that had an aviation program and become a pilot. Everything was going to work perfect and I would have no doubts on anything. I finished off High School with a 3.5gpa and 1190 SAT. While not stellar, they allowed me to get into every school I applied to. They included Virginia Tech, UMASS, Westfield State, University of Rhode Island, University of Maryland, UND, and Florida State. Well then came the reality that I couldn't afford to do any of that. My parents have money, but since they both grew up in an atmosphere in which they had to pay to get where they are today, they want me to also. This caused me to trash most of my ideas and get a full time job so I could afford to fly. I have no credit for loans and my parents will not cosign anything. Luckily for me, I got on with Southwest Airlines, as a ramper at BDL. So far this has allowed me to not only enjoy my job for the first time ever, but allowed me to see how an airline runs and how it basically owns you. I have also found out what it is like to work for a company that treats its' employees well. I make a decent wage with OT, I get very leniet flight benefits, along with health, dental, and medical coverage. I also get profit sharing if I want in. I am also enrolled at a local CC for the Fall 05' semester with a few courses, so I wouldn't get out of touch with school. This was so if I chose to go to school full time, I wouldn't be out of the loop. Right now it's towards a Computer Science track as I figured just incase flying doesn't work out, I'll do that. On top of all that, I'm working on my PPL at a local FBO. Now the problem comes with what to do next semester. I haven't decided what to do with myself. I enjoy my job immensely, even after being there close to 60 hours the past week. The only problem is that I can no longer keep this job and go to school full time as the CS degree is quite demanding. I could no longer afford to fly however with the loss of my job unless I go for a student loan and use flight as a major at my local college. I really enjoy flying so far but I'm also really into solving problems. CS seems great for that, but so does flying. CS provides more stability, better salary, but I'm hesitant on the whole office scene. I love working outdoors, but I would settle for a flight deck as an office as at least we are changing scenery. So my choices are: 1. finish off this semester and just work full time for Southwest. I'm on track to be a ramp sup within the next few months. Fly for fun. 2. Go to a local college and get a aviation managment degree. 3. Get the CS degree. Get into GA. I would eventually like to start my own air taxi service as I really like corporate aviation. I don't expect any one to tell me what to do, but any advice, would be awesome. Ask anything else you want. I know this wasn't organized perfect, but I'm tired from working and school. Thanks, Rob Showalter

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September 27th, 2005, 23:32	#2
dpilot83 Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: I move frequently Posts: 83	Short answer: I believe a degree in general, and slightly more specifically, one not related to aviation is very important. The CS degree sounds like as good of an idea as any. Pursue aviation as much as you can in your spare time. Long answer: I'm currently a flight instructor at the same university I got my Airway Science degree in. While I'm hopeful about my future in aviation, I am also realizing, a little too late, that I have put all my eggs in one basket and there are a lot of different ways for my plan to fall through. If I were to do this again, I'd get a degree in anything else and spend my time at a local FBO getting my ratings on the side. Then I'd instruct to build time. There are maybe a few opportunites I would miss out on by not pursueing an aviation degree, but I believe they'd be a small price to pay for having something solid to fall back on in case things didn't go as planned.

September 28th, 2005, 01:02	#3
Theotokos Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: BRY/KLOU/KSDF Posts: 481	Yes, a non aviation degree is good. I plan to get mine in French. I have it planned like this: 1) Attend a local flight school 2) Go to college at the same time So I might go to college in the morning then fly in the afternoons. Then instruct for a few years and finish up college. Doug is really good at giving advice, as are all the pilots on this site--they really helped me to realize that "gurenteed job with a major airline" is ######## and that it does not matter so much where you get your training because Delta will hire you, even if you did not attend Delta Connection. I would say if you want to fly for fun that is fine. But do not throw all this away because you do not think you can afford it. If this is what you want to do, do it. I hate to see someone do somthing they really do not want to to all their life. So I would not say No 1. I cannot tell you what to do but I would choose option 3. Hope I helped.