JF48

First of all I'd like to say hello, and thanks in advance for any advice or opinions you provide me. It is greatly appreciated.

Let me tell you a little about myself: I am an 18 year old soon to graduate high school student with hopes and dreams of one day operating a 150,000lb. piece of machinery at mach .88 30,000ft above the ground, and living to tell about it. (sounds a lot better than an office job to me ) Actually, this has been my life goal, well, for as long as I can remember. Now that I am graduating high school and finally at the point in my life where I can start realizing my dream, I am at a complete loss as to where to start.

I guess my first question is about university. Where to go and what to take? I know I want to get at least a bachelor's degree. (not only because it looks good on a resume, but also because I don't want to go through life uneducated) Do employers in the airline industry favor certain degrees over others? Or is it only about hours and certifications?

My last question (for now, there will be more, oh, there will be more) is about getting hours and certifications. I've seen ads for flight schools that will take you from your PPL through ATP with all the ratings et cetera. Are these schools worth dropping the money on? Or should I just rent planes and get my hours?

-Also, I live just on the Illinois side of the river across from St. Louis. It's an easy commute to Lambert Airport for me, If that makes any difference.

Well, that's it for now. Once again if anyone has any tips and pointers it is greatly appreciated.

- thank you

Edit: I was not sure where to post this, so, if there are any mods out there that could place it in the right forum, that would be wonderful.

de727ups

You can get a degree in anything. Whatever interests you. I'd recommend something outside of aviation as a fall back/second area of interest. I regret going to Riddle and majoring in aviation.

I'm not a fan of pilot mills like ATP. You can do better at some smaller schools working with a more experienced instructor, and it can cost you less. Don't fall for the hype at the big academy websites. All you really need to do is put in your time and the jobs will be there. It might take you marginally longer at a smaller school and working as a CFI, but you'll end up better for it and might even save some money along the way.

"if there are any mods out there that could place it in the right forum, that would be wonderful."

This is fine.

Ewfflyer

I'm similiar to DE727, except I got the Aviation degree at Purdue. There's stuff I liked, and disliked, but now I wished while I was there I would've gotten a different subject area on top of the flying.

Try a local college, or one that has an airport close by. Do the degree and the flying as two different things at the same time. Make sure you allow time for your studies though, the flying is the more flexible curve, and honestly I don't feel that "rushing" training in 60 days for the PPL or any rating is a good idea.

Good luck!

EDC757

Young man your enthusiasm is what you will need to get you through in a career like this. My 18 year old son got his private certificate just before his birthday. He will finish high school and go to a local Jr. college and work part time to pay for hour-building and other certificates . . He will then go to our state college and get his B.A. to be competitive. This is the most efficient course and least expensive. I don’t recommend anyone go to the major aviation colleges because of the considerable expense and single subject matter that you end up with after college. I have mentored more that a dozen guys in the past and feel free to write me leave me a note.

Scooter2525

aviationuniversity.com has an online degree you can get, as well as training they do in provo, ut. Just another option.....

MetJet23

Have you looked into St. Louis University? Parks College of Engineering & Aviation has a flight school that operates out of Cahokia/Downtown Airport in E. St. Louis (your backyard). You can pursue your flying while minoring/majoring in another discipline. Another option would be to attend a community college while getting your bachelor's and work on all of your ratings at Cahokia or Alton. As you are hearing, all that matters is that you get your degree - and for your own good, probably in something other than aviation. Best of luck and feel free to keep the questions coming.

Slice

Horrible advice for an 18 year old! Go to a real college. Study, work on your ratings, get decent grades, chase girls...the airlines will still be there when your 4 years are up.

JF48

Thanks for the replies guys! (de727ups, Ewfflyer, EDC757, Scooter2525, MetJet23, Slice)

MetJet23 - Yes, I have looked into Parks College at Saint Louis University. However, I do not have the finances to go to a private school. It is out of state also, even though I live 15 minutes from it.

The plan right now is to go to a community college (SWIC, for anybody that lives in the St. Louis area) for two years and get an associates of science degree. From there I would love to attend SLU, but, do not have the finances. Is it possible for me to join a guard unit in Missouri even though I live in Illinois? That way I could have my tuition paid by the military while using whatever part time job I can find to pay for flight lessons.

If any military people are out there that could elaborate on how the guard works, that would be amazing. Thanks.

Slice

Why not enlist in the IL guard at Scott? They fly KC-135's. Maybe you could be a boomer while going to college then try and go to UPT for them.

JF48

First question, what is a boomer?

- I've definitely considered the military route. However, I believe my poor uncorrected eyesight would disqualify me from flying duty.