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Old 01-10-2011, 04:04 PM
  #21  
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Originally Posted by tsquare
Whatever you do... and I will say this very loudly... get a degree in SOMETHING BESIDES AVIATION. Get a degree in something where you can actually make a living. If you don't.. you are a fool. Sorry to be so blunt... but ask around and see if I am wrong..
I agree. For me the military (Canadian) was not an option (Vision and being to tall) so I did not persue an aviation career until I came to the USA as a Registered Nurse. I was able to support my family and until I got on with a major I had a fall back career.
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Old 01-10-2011, 04:05 PM
  #22  
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Originally Posted by Bucking Bar
Carl's kidding. If his grand mother left him $100,000 he would have vanished to some pacific island where the beer cost a quarter, found a scorching hot chick who thought he was terrific, had a couple kids would now look like Earnest Hemingway.

Which is an option you should not completely disregard ... . You will be the envy of nearly every major airline pilot ... .
The Dude has a point...as always.

I stand corrected - the guard and reserve would have been my second choice.

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Old 01-10-2011, 04:08 PM
  #23  
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I agree. RUN don't walk to the Navy ROTC recruiter. Get your college paid for, free flight training and have the time of your life. With prior aviation experience, you have a great chance of flying attack or fighter jets. If you don't want to do that, choose VP (Patrol) for advanced flight training. I think the P-8 program is still underway. You'll fly 737-800s.

You'll come out fully qualified for any major airline you want and have a leg up over civilian trained pilots.
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Old 01-10-2011, 04:47 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by MILUAL
The best way is go to Orthodontics school. Buy a fun plane with your steady, stable, income and love aviation. Then pick a NICE vacation destination and find a a hotel, without a MacDonalds out the side door, and make a reservation. Then buy a 1st class ticket to said destination on a "major" and there you have it. You made it to a Major!!
Now sit back and enjoy flight attendants actually paying some attention to you and when the flight is over shake the pilot's hands and express you sincere sympathy by simple saying, "I'm sorry for your tragedy". He will know what you mean without any explanation.

Good luck!

ps, I am serious, but if you are dead set on flying for a living then I agree with the military option. I would stay in though vs getting out to do airlines. Like me, you will probably not follow the above advice but in 20 years you will wish you had.
Best.Post.Ever

So sad but so true...

I think you owe me a new keyboard!
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Old 01-10-2011, 05:15 PM
  #25  
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Apply to the Air Force Academy, get guarranteed a pilot slot, then go to a major after 10 years. That's what I did (except I stayed to 20 years and retired from the Air Force). I'd do it again.
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Old 01-10-2011, 05:38 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by Lindenberg
If you were 18 years old again, a freshman in college with 160 hours in your log book, an instrument rating and the desire to fly for the majors, what path/steps would you take to become a major airline pilot? Below is a rough draft of my plan.

Commercial at age 18 with 250+ hours
Multi and CFI at 19 with 300 hours
Start instructing at 20 with 300+ hours
Finish college at 22
Move to Regionals at 23 with 1500 hours
Apply with Majors at __ with _____ hours

First of all I want to make sure my plan is a realistic one. I also want to learn from others having experience going from student pilot to a major airline pilot and figure out what makes the most sense for today.

I'm all ears. Thanks for your advice.
Military. I'm partial to the Air Force, but Navy or Coast Guard are options. Active duty or if you are in an area with a Guard/Reserve unit you could "rush" an get in.

Get your retirement, whether active duty or reserve, and play things on your terms. Advantage to the Guard/Reserve, once you got the time to apply to a major, assuming they're hiring, you get on the list sooner.

If serving your country is something you'd like to do, consider ROTC if it is available at your school. Heck, I don't know what the scholarship status is at this time. Perhaps you could get the military to pay for the remaining semesters and pocket/invest some of that money.

Just some thoughts.

Good luck!
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Old 01-10-2011, 05:52 PM
  #27  
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Networking is the key to getting to a major. If you don't think you can do well at that on your own, your best bet is to join the military. That way you will make friends with guys in your unit who can get you in at a later date.
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Old 01-10-2011, 06:38 PM
  #28  
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Invest the money your grandma passed down to you and join some branch of the military if you can. I'm partial to the ANG but I have great friends that are AD that have badass stories too. The theme of this thread is to join the military, follow that advice.
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Old 01-10-2011, 06:43 PM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by bat21
Invest the money your grandma passed down to you and join some branch of the military if you can. I'm partial to the ANG but I have great friends that are AD that have badass stories too. The theme of this thread is to join the military, follow that advice.

I don't think anyone should tell the guy to "follow that advice."

He has to make the decision that is right for him.... we should give him the best input from our experiences and let him go from there.
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Old 01-10-2011, 06:50 PM
  #30  
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One more for military. Check into the Guard or Reserve if you can but also go talk to the ROTC unit at your college. DON'T go talk to your local recruiter at the mall. They will try to sign you up at 18 to hand out basketballs at the rec center or stand at the front gate checking ID's. Typically, the mall/strip center recruiters don't know anything about officer programs (what you need to be a pilot). Don't do anything that would significantly slow down getting a degree and don't major in anything related to aviation. You don't need that to be a pilot. Major in something that diversifies you away from aviation. What if you trip off a curb tomorrow, hit your head and lose your medical? Your degree is Plan B. There is no better way to build up hours, experience, leadership skills, get paid really well, make great friends, and SERVE YOUR NATION at the same time. Many will also tell you that they are glad they had their military job to fall back on as well when the airlines took a dump. Many people that have ever considered the military but never joined it wind up wishing they did for the rest of their lives.

Last edited by kme9418; 01-10-2011 at 06:51 PM. Reason: clarification
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