New Guy- Student

[ERJFly2013]

Hey everyone-
Another newbie here. I would love for some feedback on this thread, i always love hearing other people's opinions.
Well, I am currently a sophomore in High school, in the area of CLE. Yeah, i still have a lot of time to think about my decisions. It is my dream to become a pilot. I want to attend a fairly local college. If you're from the area, you may know of Kent State University. I really want to go to KSU not only because its fairly close to home, but because of this great internship program that they have with Continental Express (ExpressJet). Most likely in your junior year, you can take part in the bridge program that as far as i know allows you to jumpseat during that summer. If anyone has any information at all about that, or if you went to KSU, please PM me or reply, i love learning about this kind of thing.
Once you complete that internship, you are garunteed an interview with XJT which is obviously a huge benefit. I really want to work for ExpressJet, it sounds like a great company, and i love the ERJ lol. (Note- my screen name is ERJFly2013 because i will most likely fly for them in 2013-14 i guess lol)
If anyone can tell me anything about ExpressJet, or the internship program, i would love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks, Cody

[n57flyguy]

Cool another Sophmore on the boards! I thought I was the only one...

Welcome to JC!

CaptNJim flies for XJT, he can tell you alot. Im sure alot will change by the time your working for them.

[DE727UPS]

Hi Cody.

When I was your age I wanted to fly for Cascade Airways in their HS748's. By the time I got qualified, Cascade Airways was long gone. Be aware that things can change a lot in this biz in six or eight years.

[ERJFly2013]

Originally Posted by DE727UPS

Hi Cody.

...Be aware that things can change a lot in this biz in six or eight years.

Yeah, that is the one thing that scares me. Will XJT be gone? i don't think so, but you never know what can happen in that amount of time, as you stated. I hope that i don't find out that i don't qualify for the medical or something too.

[cmsuav8r]

Thats great that you want to work for expressjet. I wouldn't mind working for them. Just remember not to limit yourself in a field that is already limited.

[DE727UPS]

"I hope that i don't find out that i don't qualify for the medical or something too"

I wouldn't worry about it. You could always just go take a physical now to make sure. Pretty much, if you are alive, you pass the physical. At the same time, there are certain things, like diabetes or vision problems, that are a pain in the butt to get around.

[PWMURPHY]

ERJ:
Have you taken any flight lessons yet? If not, a good place to start would be to take a discovery flight. Not very expensive and a good way to see if this might be the right track for you.

The college internships are a great way to get an inside view of an airline. But as everyone has mentioned, who knows what the airline landscape might look like by the time you are ready for the internship.

BTW, I flew for Continental Express (former name of ExpressJet when they were owned by Continental Airlines) in 1999. Good company. Great people.

Good luck and welcome.

[Emergency]

Originally Posted by PWMURPHY

ERJ:
Have you taken any flight lessons yet? If not, a good place to start would be to take a discovery flight. Not very expensive and a good way to see if this might be the right track for you.

Good luck and welcome.

This is true, I just started my lessons, I'm a junior in high school, and I live in the Northern Virginia area, about 10 miles from George Mason. I took a discovery flight 2 days ago actually, and I loved it. You pretty much are doing the flying, and it's hands on the moment you start. It cost me about $150 in total, because of renting the aircraft, and the hourly wage of the instructor. So, if you can afford it, I would recommend gettting your privates license ASAP, because it not only gets you familiar with flying, but as well as it's about 7 to 9 thousand dollars cheaper when you work your way for a professional pilot's license, if your going to go through an academy.

What got you interested in flying? For me, I was flying down to Florida by myself to go meet up with my dad, and I got a window seat (woot!) and it was just so beautiful and awesome being in the air. I talked to the pilots and they had shared the dream of flying since they were around our ages.

[flyTotheSky]

If XJT is gone (which I doubt), there will be plenty of comparable regionals to look at when you get out.

Internships are great.

Follow the advice on the board. Locate a local FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/) and get a 1st class medical. This is the class of medical needed to get hired by the airlines. Might as well know now that you are physically fit to fly before you invest money in the career.

Also, go up for a discovery flight at a local airport. See if you actually like flying smaller general aviation airplanes. Usually you can do this through www.beapilot.com for about $50.

Last piece of advice I can say is to keep your mind open about different aviation jobs. Growing up I've always wanted to become an airline pilot because of the prestige and glamour that WAS associated with the job. As many will tell you, this is not the case anymore. When I got to college I was exposed to other facets of aviation such as corporate aviation. That is what I am setting my sights on now.

It's good that you have some goals now. You remind me of myself in high school. Many people envy us for knowing what we've wanted to do our whole lives.

Most important thing for you to do now is study hard! Get good grades so you can choose from a variety of colleges. Try to have fun too!

[ERJFly2013]

Originally Posted by PWMURPHY

ERJ:
Have you taken any flight lessons yet? If not, a good place to start would be to take a discovery flight. Not very expensive and a good way to see if this might be the right track for you.

Yeah, i've done some various flying recently. I went to Texas this summer and flew on the ERJ and a 737, lot of fun. I love flying in general.
My uncle also has his PPL, so we went up for a few hours in a 152. He let me take the yoke for a while. Lot of fun. My dad thought i would be scared but that was the most fun i have ever had in my life. I love getting up in the skies. I love being up there and enjoying everything around you.
I love everything about flying. I have learned a lot from reading things on the internet. AviationInterviews.com: my hero. YouTube, love it. Airliners.net- amazing! No but honeslty, i can't picture myself doing anything else but this. This is my dream, and i am ready to work my A$$ of to acheive it!!!
Thanks for all of the feedback guys, love to hear what other people think. PWMurphy, if you don't mind, i would love to PM you and ask you some more in depth questions.

What is everyone else here's favorite part about flying.....??

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by ERJFly2013

PWMurphy, if you don't mind, i would love to PM you and ask you some more in depth questions.

Feel free to ask those in-depth questions here in the forum as well. There is probably someone else out there that has the exact same question and could benefit from the responses also.

[Kristie]

What is everyone else here's favorite part about flying.....??

I'd say start an entirely new thread in general topics about this.. you'll get lots of various answers!