First thing I'd advise you to do is to find a commercial pilots' forum, and seek advice there, if you haven't already.

Not being even a commercial ticket holder, let alone an ATP, I'm not the best source of advice, but what I've gathered from airline pilots is that it's not really the reputation of the college, or even a degree related to aviation, that will get you where you want to be. In fact, a degree in something completely different is a wise choice, because airline flying is not exactly the most secure career going nowadays.

 Schools like Embry-Riddle are expensive (if you haven't looked at their tuition costs, etc., sit down before you do!!), and someone with a fancy degree in Flight Management or whatever, and the commercial, instrument, CFI, and multi ratings could still find themselves with nothing but a lifetime of debt, and still hundreds of hours to rack up before an airline will even grant them a interview. Meanwhile, the rent and bills won't pay themselves... a "fallback" skill set is very important.

You gotta love it - and I mean, love it, to hang in there long enough to have a cushy left-seat gig with a prosperous airline, on routes and schedules that actually allow them to have a life.  The airline pilots I know don't do it for the money, or the prestige... because it's not like that anymore. They just do it because they are proud to have risen to that level of professionalism, and because they love the view from the office.  

But before you even think about all this, you really ought to come down to 47N some time and take a glider lesson. You will thank yourself later...  

have fun, chase your dreams and dont let anyone tell you it cant be done.

because it can.

Just know what your getting yourself into... the profession is not what its cracked up to be 

Travis wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 6:38am:


Agreed, it is a great school, and im but an hour flight away from it.

Travis wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 6:38am:


not so fast... while I agree it is important to have a college degree (only to give you some way of getting a ground bound job when the airline furloughs you) it is not a hard-coded requirement.

I got my first airline job at a red white and blue striped airline with only a high school diploma, i know several at southwest, at least 2 at delta and 1 at continental without a any college level degree.

Travis wrote on Jun 16^th, 2009 at 6:38am:


and that number is ZERO - or its supposed to be - until you get your commercial license its not a job - its a volunteer position.

you get paid to do a job - and you cannot legally fly for hire with only a private license.

"volunteer opportunities" probably would have been the term to go with over "job"

Just become an instructor, and deliver pizza part time.

You'll get paid to fly.. have a healthy schedule, and make more money.
(I'm not kidding)

If you really want to go through the motions of becoming a commercial pilot, check out the County College of Morris. They offer a great two-year aviation program, credits are transferable to most four-year schools, and they fly out of MMU. If you're willing to commute from Newark to Randolph, it's a great way to start flying and get your foot in the door without a commitment of going to a four-year school. And the price tag.

Jersey Flyer wrote on Jun 17^th, 2009 at 5:33pm:


I'll likely see you around then. I work at Avantair at CDW.

Jersey, I was an airline pilot for 10 years up until last summer.  If you want to know a bit more about "living the dream", send me a PM.  I also attended a 4 year aviation program.