rickair7777

The debate over education in THIS industry is ludicrous. there is no debate. Unless you have very good FAMILY connections, the odds are very high that the benefits of a a degree will far outweigh the costs. But it's not like medicine, you can if you so choose become a pylut and get a job without a degree, but there is a high risk that your career progression will be seriously hampered. The job doesn't require a degree, but the career does.

The debate of the VALUE of higher education in this country is actually quite valid. Many folks (including almost all of society's leaders) consider higher education to be of great value. Not everyone needs it, but SOME of us need to have the perspectives of history and critical thinking skills to advance society, or at least avoid regression into a feudal society or worse. The issue today isn't so much the value, it's the cost and the determination of who needs or will benefit from education.

Opportunity for higher education increased dramatically last century, but I think it's gone a little too far. We're sending people to college to drink beer and play video games (often at public expense) who should probably be learning a trade and getting their butts out to the job site long before they graduate on the seven year program. The Europeans are a little bit more practical...they get you on the right track for you much sooner.

The cost of higher education is getting ridiculous, and that's the fault of the education system's leaders and their government enablers. That's a separate issue.

Geardownflaps30

Per diem doesn't count as income!

Cruise

^^^This ^^^
If you fall short of the XC requirement, there are only 2 people to blame. You and your instructor....but mostly you (yes, this is the figurative "you")! There is really no excuse to not get the requisite XC time, in the allotted amount of time.

rcfd13

That depends a lot on whether you're a line holder or rotting away on reserve not doing anything.

I spent my first year on reserve and was flying an average of less than 10 hours a month. Reserve guarantee 75hr * $22 * 12 months = $19,800 before taxes/deductions/insurance. I also had to factor in two months of training pay which were only a 60/month guarantee so I made between 16 and 18k first year BEFORE taxes.

A line holder who can block 90+ hours a month can definitely make a lot more, but I didn't have the option to do that even if I wanted to.

No one's situation at the regionals is the same as anyone elses. Saying "I made 30k first year" in response to someone else saying they made 15k doesn't make either of you wrong. You're probably both right.

AVIATORCFI

choose become a pylut and get a job without a degree

What is the "pylut"?

G2TT

I believe most would refer to that as humor, or possibly the difference between being able to read the words typed and comprehending them.

skyxbomb

Google it

TheFly

Lie #1 "Starting next summer, aspiring commercial pilots will need 1,500 hours of flight training before they can be hired. This dramatic increase, among other factors, is making airlines worry that there will not be enough pilots to maintain current service."

This whole pilot shortage is one big crock of $#!t.

Phuz

Yup, but every time they get this taken on by a national media outlet a few dozen high school kids decide they want in.

1067 - no 2nd year rj fo makes 40k. Many of us have to do first year pay more than once, as the era of revolving regionals is upon us.

TeddyKGB

I never said it did but no matter how you look at it I look at it as money coming in, aka as income. When you do your monthly budget to you not factor in per diem as money coming in to offset expenses? No matter what your job is you have to eat and food is rarely free no matter where you work. I probably eat free more than my friends who have normal day jobs. Rarely pay for a meal unless its on a layover. Also, I get a huge tax write off each year by itemizing my per diem. 1st year pay at most regionals is around $23/hour so that over $20K, not $15K. Not sure why people arguing the low pay always have to embellish and exaggerate it.