Introduction

[JosefM-CA-510]

Hello all. My name is Josef and I am 16 years old. My family owns a Piper Cherokee and I go flying with my dad quite often. I fly on the flight simulator at home and will sit in my chair for hours just flying. I have wanted to become a pilot for as long as I can remember and I am getting my Private Pilot's License this summer. My main questions that I have needed answered are: 1) For someone who is very family-centered and likes to be with them a lot, is a pilot a good career option? 2) Have any of you heard of Westminster College in Salt Lake City and their flight program? 3) Is Embry Riddle really as great as I hear it is? Will a degree from there make or break wheather I get employed or not? 4) How tough is it (financially/family wise) when one starts out as a pilot? Thank you very much for any help. These questions have been bugging me a great deal.

-Josef

[Compass Mitch]

Originally Posted by JosefM-CA-510

Hello all. My name is Josef and I am 16 years old. My family owns a Piper Cherokee and I go flying with my dad quite often. I fly on the flight simulator at home and will sit in my chair for hours just flying. I have wanted to become a pilot for as long as I can remember and I am getting my Private Pilot's License this summer. My main questions that I have needed answered are: 1) For someone who is very family-centered and likes to be with them a lot, is a pilot a good career option? 2) Have any of you heard of Westminster College in Salt Lake City and their flight program? 3) Is Embry Riddle really as great as I hear it is? Will a degree from there make or break wheather I get employed or not? 4) How tough is it (financially/family wise) when one starts out as a pilot? Thank you very much for any help. These questions have been bugging me a great deal.

-Josef

Hi Josef. Sorry it has taken me so long to respond, I have been at a FAA safety conference in San Diego (close to you!)

Let's try to answer your questions:

1) Yes and no. I am very family oriented yet this job takes me away from that. However, the more senior you get the more you can be home with a better schedule. I am paying my dues now for a better schedule in the future. I got into this job based on knowing some former Northwest (now Delta) pilots who lived in their base (MSP) and were home for their kids EVERY night. All they flew is day trips like MSP to SFO or MSP to LAX. Pretty nice right? It just takes a while to get there. With travel benefits you can fly to visit family and friends all around the country. Right now I am visiting cousins in Berkeley, California.

2) Yes I have, and I have heard good things.

3) ERAU is a huge name. I applied there and thought about it. They didn't offer scholarships like other aviation schools did, so I didn't go there. I also didn't like how large they were. Some people love big schools and that experience, and some love smaller schools. I chose a smaller school.

An aviation college is not your only choice though. I have recommended time and time again to go to a regular college, get the regular college (fun) experience with a backup degree (psych, business?) and then learn to fly on the side at a school like ATP. Many aviation schools are non-traditional, and you might end up missing out on the social experience that is so important.

You don't have to have an aviation degree to get hired at an airline, as much as an aviation college wants to make you believe it. In fact, airlines love well rounded people. Pilots at Delta have degrees in spanish, fine arts or business.

4) Like many demanding professional career fields, it is tough at first, but for a reason. It pays off, so if you are the driven type who will persevere, then I wouldn't worry!

Let me know what other questions you have. Good luck!

[JosefM-CA-510]

Thanks Mitch for your reply. I was wondering though, money not being in the picture, and let's just say I got accepted to both ERAU and Westminster, which would be better educationally? I am assuming ERAU has a better curriculum than Westminster for aviation no? Also, this may sound like a wierd question, but when you start off as an airline pilot, is there even any time and money to even start a family? Or does one have to wait a while? Thanks for all your help.

-Josef

[Compass Mitch]

Originally Posted by JosefM-CA-510

Thanks Mitch for your reply. I was wondering though, money not being in the picture, and let's just say I got accepted to both ERAU and Westminster, which would be better educationally? I am assuming ERAU has a better curriculum than Westminster for aviation no? Also, this may sound like a wierd question, but when you start off as an airline pilot, is there even any time and money to even start a family? Or does one have to wait a while? Thanks for all your help.

-Josef

Don't get me wrong, ERAU is a good school with a great curriculum. I fly with a lot of people from there who are sharp. I don't know enough about Westminster to fully compare.

As far as family, it is difficult as first. This can be for the first 3 to 5 years. Once on a captain's salary raising a family is completely doable. Case in point= 9 out of 10 airline pilots have families. On the other hand, I know many first officers who have families as well and make it work! A huge piece of this is living in your base as opposed to commuting to work. This means you have a lot more time at home for family.

I am getting married soon but we are waiting a bit on kids as we want to be financially comfortable. I have a fiance who is very understanding and supportive of my schedule and I am thankful for that!

[JosefM-CA-510]

Allright thanks a lot for answering those questions. Another thing I was wondering though is that if and when the airline business comes around, the pay for pilots will go up will it not? Also, one doesn't need to be crazy good at math to become an airline pilot do they?