Thank you for your thoughtful comment! We wholeheartedly agree that every individual's path to their dreams is unique, and we don't intend to compare or diminish anyone's choices. Our video simply aims to provide valuable guidance for those aspiring to become career pilots. Time is a finite resource, and we believe that having information about the most efficient path to your dream can help you spend more time living it, rather than working towards it. We understand that people may choose different routes for various personal reasons, and we respect those choices. Our goal is to empower prospective pilots with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions that align with their goals and aspirations. Ultimately, we're here to support all aviation enthusiasts on their journey towards becoming career pilots, and we wish everyone the best in reaching for the skies!
Minimum age for ATP is 23 years old. If you start flight training school at age 18, you will have accumulated 1,500 mics by age 21. How will you continue when the FAA does not allow ATP under age 23?
This is so so helpful. I am only 16 but am homeschooled and plan to graduate next year. I have been looking at different paths to take and this has taken my interest. I am also trying to convince my mom to let me do flight school. This was so helpful. Much appreciated!
Awesome comparison video. I just recently had 2 professional pilots tell me to skip the bachelor degree( I already have an associates) and go straight to getting your ratings due to the current state of the industry. I'm a middle aged person as well so speed is everything right now. I'm an RN and can always get my BSN online later. Besides, I have the ultimate back up career if things change in the industry. BTW, an RN only takes 2yrs to get and you can work 3 days a week for a full time salary and pretty much anywhere in the country you want which gives you plenty of flexibility to do flight training while still working and making a pretty good wage.
It is impressive that you can finish all of your ratings in 5.5 months at your school, but your college timeline just isn’t accurate depending on the school. The school I am training at sees all of its students graduate in just 3 years. Being a collegiate program, we only need 1,000 hours for our R-ATP. Most students graduate with 500-1,000 flight hours. The college has connections with airlines like Frontier, and I have many friends that have been hired at Frontier after just 3 years. The rest only need a few extra months of instructing to reach 1,000. Although Frontier isn’t a major, it has a similar schedule, pay, and benefits. The switch from Frontier to a major is very easy at that point. I do think your school may still be faster, but college can be much faster than you described it to be, and there are some other advantages of going to a college instead.
Thank you for your comment! We recognize that each person's flight training journey is unique. Our program is specifically structured to help our students graduate faster than any other school in the US, enabling them to start earning money as a CFI and accumulating flight hours sooner. By reaching the 1500-hour milestone sooner, our students are also maximizing their return on investment, as they don't spend years in school without income. Although we highlight this, our primary aim in this video is to provide valuable information and allow aspiring pilots to make informed choices that align with their unique goals and aspirations.
I’m at a financial crossroads here and I’m probably most likely going to full time flight school and taking out loans and hopefully as a regional pilot I will continue College for a business degree and also have the time and resources to be-able to concentrate in a school. My grandparents want me out of there place and financially I can’t do it unless full time entry level jobs with no experience and no degrees which is not a life I want!!!
Nothing wrong with either direction however I’m happy with the route I chose. I went to an accelerated academy and went from 0 hours to 1500 hours with a job secured at a leading fractional ownership corporate jet company all in 16 months. There’s no perfect way, everybody will find their own way. Also I’d say your age really plays a roll in deciding. If you’re 18 years old you might as well go to college to kill some time and get a solid education before you turn 23. Most jobs don’t require college including majors.
Adding more weight and thought to the College First path: This is a very important question for those interested in pursuing a career in aviation and specifically for those interested in a career with the major airlines. This is the first video that I have seen that starts to tackle this question and I think it is a very good start in providing individuals with some things to think about. As in every choice there are trade-offs and probabilities of the outcomes being achieved when you are comparing A vs B (vs C vs etc). In this case I would like to weigh-in and provide some additional things to think about, that build on what is already touched on in this video; and may even respectfully challenge some of the implied assumptions and conclusions in the comparative analysis i.e. A) I liked the side by side timeline; that is a great framework and tool to build the analysis i.e. that was awesome…here are some things to layer on to some of the assumptions stated i.e. the timeline implies that both paths will immediately lead to a regional airline job after flight school / hours are accomplished; and that after 4 years both paths will lead to an immediate airline job…. which suggests that you are better off taking the “Flight School First” path. This however, practically can only hold true in an environment where Demand for jobs dwarfs the Supply of pilots meeting the minimum hours; and to be fair…since COVID and up until recently this was probably the case…and demand will continue to be high in the next few years; however while demand for jobs is not going away, the gap between demand for jobs and supply is starting to narrow....and while as stated in the video the formal requirement of having a college degree is no longer applicable; in a narrower demand / supply environment it will (in my humble opinion) become a competitive advantage for those that will have it…and this is where the analysis of the timeline gets impacted. For example, let’s take 20 individuals and split them into two groups of 10 (one group for each path)…Now let’s say there is a regional airline that has a posting for 5 pilots…I believe that the College First Group will have an advantage and will fill most of those positions…the point is that while the College first will take a few year more to get to the “regional” stage of the journey they will most likely convert into a job faster than the flight school first cohort…and I have seen some communications that suggests airlines (everything else equal) are again starting to factor the degree in their hiring assessment B) The comparison has to also reflect more than 10 years i.e. like any business / industry, aviation goes (and I believe will continue to go) through cycles; from Pilot Shortages to Furloughs … and again this is where having a degree is a positive / differentiator when pilots are recalled after a trough in the business cycle….in short I think both paths as stated in the video have their trade-offs and are options to consider for those that have a passion and want to pursue a career in aviation. My points simply highlight that for those also interested in the major airlines as a career should give a little more weight to the College First path, than is stated in the video; especially thinking about their long term aviation journey. Thank you.
We really appreciate your insight and the thoroughly written response to this video. We also appreciate you not being argumentative. We're so used to that on our social sometimes 😅. Thank you for the compliments on our side-by-side timeline…we worked really hard on that. We initially were going to make a video responding to this comment, because you make a lot of good points, but we just cannot find the time to make it. Instead, we’re going to respond to this 3 weeks late 😀. We'd like to contribute to this discussion by breaking down your response into two subjects. Game face...it's a novel of a response. If you respond to this, we'll try to get to it as soon as possible, but we're a small marketing team 😅. Those two subjects will be: 1. The Degree's Competitive Hiring Advantage 2. Long-Term Career Considerations 1. The Degree's Competitive Hiring Advantage - Having a college degree can be more advantageous during the hiring process, which is why we recommend still pursuing a degree, but we think it is best to pursue one after you are getting paid as a pilot. The degree doesn’t really become advantageous until you get to the regionals, but even then and as we mention later, the flight school first individual will get hired quicker if both individuals are on the same timeline and considering a hypothetical delay where they have preferential hiring for those with a degree. The degree can carry weight, but it doesn't carry as much weight as it may seem from what we've experienced in the past decades. - Considering the cyclical nature of the pilot industry, a degree can potentially be beneficial during periods of low demand for pilots. However, this video emphasizes that going to flight school first is beneficial because those individuals will be applying to regionals two years sooner than those who choose college first. We've been around long enough to see the highs and lows of the industry and we're constantly observing industry fluctuations. Rarely have we seen it take longer than six months for our graduates to make it to the airlines after meeting all qualifications, and it only took that long because our country shut down from COVID. During that time though, they were still getting paid as pilots while building additional hours and experience. - Comparing two individuals on the same timeline, one choosing college first and the other flight school first, by the time both of them reach the two-year mark, the college-first individual will have received their associate's degree. Meanwhile, the flight school-first individual will have graduated with seven certificates/ratings, started working on their degree part-time, built up 1500 hours, and started applying to regionals (if not already accepted to one). In the worst-case scenario (assuming the same extreme worse case scenario of that 6 month delay we mentioned earlier), they’ll still reach the regionals in 2.5 years. Even if you tripled that delay, they would still get to the regionals first. The college-first individual, however, won’t start looking for regional jobs for at least another 1.5 years from that same 2.5 year point on the timeline. This also assumes that they have built up the 1000 hours required for their R-ATP by graduation (which isn't always the case) and they also don’t experience any delays in being hired themselves. In this scenario, the flight school first individual may have experienced a 6 month delay, but they would have had 1.5 years more experience at the regionals alone by the time the college-first individual started applying for that same regional (let alone all of the experience and flight time the flight school first individual received from completing flight school and instructing much earlier in the timeline). 2. Long-Term Career Considerations - We want to re-emphasize that going to flight school first doesn’t mean you can’t ever pursue a degree, but rather you’re prioritizing it after you start getting paid as a pilot. It is very possible to receive that degree before you even get to the majors. During the time that the college first individual spent pursuing the degree, flight school-first individuals will have graduated, been getting paid to fly, built more hours and experience, and started building seniority at the regionals. This gives them a significant advantage. - Hearing from those in the industry now (as the industry is seeing some furloughs and shortages), tenure and experience with that specific airline carry more weight than a college degree at that point. Once again though, if someone pursued their degree after flight school…they not only would have their degree, but they will have more tenure and experience because they were immersed into the industry much sooner than the college-first individual. The other final point is we have regional recruiters visit our school at least once a month to talk to our students and instructors about future opportunities for them, and the subject of college or no college comes up often. From our conversations with them, college degrees just aren’t carrying much weight, if any, in the hiring process. It is mentioned that it can start to carry weight in the majors, but even then, they aren’t running into such small hiring pools where they are forced to select between those with a college degree and those that don't. They seem to care much more about experience and reputation from an individual's time at the regionals. Thank you for coming to our TED talk. We may still turn this into a video...but there are so many TikToks to make.
I've seen some community colleges with aviation programs too. A 2 year associates degree program. For me that doesn't sound too bad so I could use my G.I Bill and have the school paid for.
Absolutely! There are several options available, especially if you want to use your GI Bill. Most pilots aiming for a degree typically go for a bachelor's degree, which is more applicable to their future. This video explains the fastest way to become a pilot, allowing you to get paid sooner, build seniority sooner, and reach the majors sooner. Some of our students are veterans who went through our program, then pursued college while instructing, and used their GI Bill for that schooling. This approach lets them build flight hours, gain significantly more experience compared to the college-first route, get paid as pilots, and complete their degrees covered by the GI Bill. When you join an aviation college program, you're technically in flight school, but you get much less training exposure compared to someone who starts with full-time flight school. This is because the training is spread over four years (or two years for an associate's degree), rather than a 5.5-month intensive period. In that same two-year period, someone who chose flight school first will have graduated with seven certificates/ratings, built up to 1500 hours, and already moved on to the airlines. There are definitely routes to take where it is initially cheaper, but when you start to consider opportunity cost and/or ROI, it actually will cost you more at the end with less pay, experience, and seniority on the same timeline as someone who chose to go to flight school first.
@@gbma3241 It really comes down to personal preference and your long-term goals. Some opt for a degree not related to aviation as a backup in case flying isn't an option, but remember, losing the ability to fly doesn't mean you can't work in the industry. The aviation field is resilient but people like to avoid the ripple effect of an industry that is experiencing any problems. Others choose an aviation degree for a stronger industry connection. However, some people skip a degree because it's quite an expensive option for a backup plan. Instead, they may acquire trade skills or explore financial security through business ownership or investments. Ultimately, it's about aligning your choices with your aspirations and financial considerations.
I was wondering about the difficulty of getting a job without a bachelor degree? How successful have your students been getting jobs without the degree?
Nearly all pilot positions no longer require a degree, although having one can be advantageous in highly competitive fields. Our graduates without degrees have successfully secured jobs with airlines, cargo companies, and corporate employers with no issues. The most important factor is flight experience! This is why we recommend going to flight school first if your goal is to be a pilot.
I'd recommend doing the flight training first, get a solid job, then do an online degree or a degree at a local community college in an unrelated field
Many colleges have a flight school. University of North Dakota is one of the most respected degrees in the aviation world, and a person can reach the airlines with less hours and less debt.
UND is an excellent program, and many colleges offer great options for those who desire to take that route! What we do is provide accelerated training for those who want to prioritize flying for a career. In as little as 5.5 months, our graduates can get paid as a career pilot. This means our alumni won't be accruing additional debt but rather earning money while time-building. From 0 experience, our graduates usually hit 1500 hours in 1.5 to 2 years, which means they will go to the airlines, charter, or corporate sooner than those who choose a bachelors program.
@@BlueLineAviationMinimum age for ATP is 23 years old. If you start flight training school at age 18, you will have accumulated 1,500 mics by age 21. How will you continue when the FAA does not allow ATP under age 23?
@@MaMu-oz3yf Good question! We highly recommend you check out our other video called "Becoming A Pilot After High School". It directly answers that question!
Definitely finish college first, preferably with a marketable degree. In the event you aren’t hired by a good paying company, or have disqualifying medical issues, at least you have an education.
Some colleges such as mine, only require you to get 1000 hours to get an r-atp so you only have to actually get 750 hours as an instructor rather than 1250
You’re welcome! We suggest creating a post-graduation plan as well as trying a discovery flight to confirm your interest in this career path! Starting college-level courses in high school will also help with you attain your bachelor's degree more efficiently and make yourself more competitive. Contact one of our training advisors for help with these steps!
Minimum age for ATP is 23 years old. If you start flight training school at age 18, you will have accumulated 1,500 mics by age 21. How will you continue when the FAA does not allow ATP under age 23?
Good question! We actually made a video about this very subject! It's titled "Becoming a Pilot After High School", and we go over what we recommend you do if you obtain all of your hours prior to being 23 years of age.
you can get a restricted ATP at 21 without going to an accredited college program; 14 CFR § 61.160 (f) A person may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating if the person has 1,500 hours total time as a pilot, 200 hours of cross-country flight time, and otherwise meets the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.159. 1500TT and 200XC- you can apply for an RATP at 21 years of age § 61.153 Eligibility requirements: General. To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must: (a) Meet the following age requirements: (2) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.160, be at least 21 years of age. The caveat is that when you hold an RATP you are subject to 61.167 limitations- essentially SIC / First Officer only until you can be issued an unrestricted ATP at 23. Hope this helps.
Degree is a waste of time, unless they change the hiring requirements. But as of now it’s pointless to check the box. Getting a non aviation degree as a back up isn’t a bad idea
Quick Question, Would This Work As A Path To The Majors: ATP Flight School (9 Months). Time Building As CFI (2 Years). Regionals (4 Years). Envoy Air want some college to be completed as you apply so I would do Embry Riddle Worldwide (Online) for those first two years as a CFI, then for the next two years at the regionals, I would complete my Bachelors degree. Thank You!
Yes! We would recommend pursuing your degree while time building or at the regionals instead of during or before flight school. This would equate to less time accumulating debt and a quicker route to the majors! Also, some flight schools like ours have partnerships with colleges to allow your flight training to count towards your bachelor's, meaning you would complete your degree even faster. That info is here: www.bluelineaviation.com/purdue-partnership
Question: Can i still become a pilot without perfect 20/20 vision. I have around 20/60 vision is there something i could do like simply wear glasses while im flying?
You do not need perfect eye sight! We recommend you reach out to a local AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) or talk with AOPA's medical department and they can give you specific guidance for what you're asking!
As a future veteran wouldn’t it make more sense to go to college full time as the GI bill will cover all tuition and flight costs as long as it doesn’t go over the 27k per year limit and getting housing allowance rather than spending 20k avg to get your privates license then the gi bill only paying half of your flight cost and only half of your bah
The extent of your GI Bill benefits hinges on factors like your service type, deployment history, and more. Not every GI Bill recipient receives full coverage. While having the GI Bill cover both full-time college and aviation training can alleviate debt concerns for aspiring pilots, it overlooks a critical aspect-seniority. Entering service later delays your ability to fully commit to flight school or college, and most veterans don't pursue education during their initial years of service. Despite potential debt relief, the trade-off is falling years behind in seniority compared to peers who started earlier. Students who swiftly repay flight school debt can enter the industry with both seniority and financial freedom, outpacing those with lower debt but slower career progression.
Absolutely! Head to our website to submit a contact information form, and one of our training advisors will reach out to you to answer any questions you have!
Do you think I'll have less opportunities for scholarships if I just do flight school and not college? I fr need opinions and perspectives on this because money is my main issue
What about schools like Embry Riddle Aeronautical University? Wouldn’t that also help me better too and get the flight hours I need to get into the major airlines?
Yes! However, we would say that if your goal is to fly for the airlines or any aviation industry that values seniority, becoming a pilot and gaining flight hours sooner rather than later is the most important. Going to flight school first and taking college classes while time building allows you to gain seniority faster.
@@BlueLineAviation Thanks! It’s just I wanna become a JetBlue pilot but at the same time I wanna go to college so I have a stronger background with the degree. Is there like a way to do both at the same time?
@@LightSkies245 Absolutely! We believe that taking college courses to earn your bachelors while you are time building is the most efficient way. You can also earn college credit while earning your pilot certificates/ratings! Look into our partnership with Purdue Global: www.bluelineaviation.com/purdue-partnership. We recommend that you contact one of our training advisors to answer any specific questions you make have. Fill out a contact info form here: www.bluelineaviation.com/about/contact-us.
While the cost may be high, the investment proves to be highly valuable. Our goal is for our students to have a net positive investment quicker. Being the fastest program in the nation, our students start their careers as pilots sooner than those attending any other flight school!
@@BlueLineAviation how is that possible you guys give ratings out just like everyone else. You guys push magic buttons to get us to become airline pilots faster?
Hey, I’m 16 years old and I’m graduating early in January. Since you guys require 18 years of age to start the program. What would you recommend me to do in the meanwhile? I had the idea to pursue an associate degree for 2 years in mechanical engineering, try to get my PPL in the summer, then get to the program once I turn 18 while finishing my bachelors online. Do you think this is a good idea? I also have another question. Do the flight school credits in Blueline go to mechanical engineering in Perdue global? Lastly, do think people can handle both college and accelerated flight school at the same time? If so, what are some strategies people use. I would really appreciate an answer!
That's awesome! We have a team of training advisors that can give you a more personal and detailed plan of action than we could give on here. Head to our website to input your contact information! bluelineaviation.com
@@Gracekadzombe If your dream is to be a pilot, you will need to train for your certificates/ratings. The quickest and most efficient way to do this is through flight school. A college degree will make you more competitive, but it is no longer required by major airlines.
Hey I want to join L3 Harris in Florida ... I heard they offer degrees but i just wanted to confirm since i have been contacting them but i heard no reply ..... Do you think theu have degrees
Hey! Question here from a non American citizen looking to start pilot training. I understand I probably have to go through FTSP and after that start flight school to get my PPL. Anyways there’s just a lot of complications around flying as a non citizen and I understand that. I’m looking to get my ppl at a part time flight school while finishing up high school. After that, moving to college for a degree in aviation. My question is, would it be hard for me, a foreigner to become a commercial or corporate pilot working in the US? Like how hard would it be to get a visa sponsor from an airline or company after I finish my ppl and graduate from college with all my hours and certificates? Thanks a lot for your help😃
I would research some schools down in Florida like Epic Flight Academy. They have lots of foreign students and I don't exactly think you'd need an airline sponsorship? I would get in contact with them and see what they have to say for a start.
Your decision depends on your personal preference, however, we suggest completing your certificates/ratings as quickly as possible before finishing your degree. This will grant you more seniority with the airlines and allow you to finish your degree while accumulating flight hours.
Hi, I hope this message finds you well. I have a few questions regarding obtaining a bachelor's degree after attending Blue Line Aviation. I am curious if it is possible for me to go to Embry Riddle rather than pursuing another path. Additionally, I would like to know more about the opportunities for international students to study there. Do I need to finish my Bachillerato in Spain before attending Blue Line Aviation? Furthermore, I am starting to plan for my dream college after Blue Line Aviation and I am curious about the payment options available for students. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
if you're planning to come to Riddle, get at least your private first. If possible, get as many certificates as you can so you can work as a CFI in Riddle and do your degree. For international, apply for either the F-1 (riddle) or M-1 (if you dont want work in the US only flying)
Some colleges offer flight training alongside your academic program, and that could be the right step for you. However, we would say that this approach is less efficient, incurs higher costs in the long term, and demands more time. Opting for full-time flight school initially allows you to enter the airlines or another seniority-based industry sooner, while concurrently pursuing your bachelor's degree during time building.
We agree that everyone has their own path! However, the airlines, cargo companies, and other frequent employers no longer require a college degree for pilots! With that said, we would say it is more efficient to go to flight school first if your dream is to fly for a living.
@@BlueLineAviation thank you and one question ? If I were to choose the flight school and get all the certificates etc will I be able to fly international ? Without any college degree ?
![How To Become An Airline Pilot [University vs Local Flight school] Aviation Career Paths](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/6dOxbCd5QoU/mqdefault.jpg)
![How To Become An Airline Pilot [University vs Local Flight school] Aviation Career Paths](/img/tr.png)
Don’t compare yourself to others, every step forward is a step closer to your goal. Keep going, we got this.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment! We wholeheartedly agree that every individual's path to their dreams is unique, and we don't intend to compare or diminish anyone's choices. Our video simply aims to provide valuable guidance for those aspiring to become career pilots.
Time is a finite resource, and we believe that having information about the most efficient path to your dream can help you spend more time living it, rather than working towards it. We understand that people may choose different routes for various personal reasons, and we respect those choices. Our goal is to empower prospective pilots with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions that align with their goals and aspirations.
Ultimately, we're here to support all aviation enthusiasts on their journey towards becoming career pilots, and we wish everyone the best in reaching for the skies!
AIRLINES DROPPED THE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS. IF THAT TELLS YOU ANYTHING. THE GOAL IS DIVERSITY..... DEAL WITH IT HOMIE
Minimum age for ATP is 23 years old. If you start flight training school at age 18, you will have accumulated 1,500 mics by age 21. How will you continue when the FAA does not allow ATP under age 23?
@@MaMu-oz3yfyou can get r-atp which lets you be a first officer at 21
This is so so helpful. I am only 16 but am homeschooled and plan to graduate next year. I have been looking at different paths to take and this has taken my interest. I am also trying to convince my mom to let me do flight school. This was so helpful. Much appreciated!
That’s awesome! Good luck achieving your dream!
i am also 16 and i want to do flightschool too hows it going for you so far for you
Awesome comparison video. I just recently had 2 professional pilots tell me to skip the bachelor degree( I already have an associates) and go straight to getting your ratings due to the current state of the industry. I'm a middle aged person as well so speed is everything right now. I'm an RN and can always get my BSN online later. Besides, I have the ultimate back up career if things change in the industry. BTW, an RN only takes 2yrs to get and you can work 3 days a week for a full time salary and pretty much anywhere in the country you want which gives you plenty of flexibility to do flight training while still working and making a pretty good wage.
Needed to see this thank you
When you say middle agrd you mean like 30?
@@whoknows4751
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This definitely sounds like a better option than going to Embry Riddle full time. Wish I would have saw this video four years ago.
We think so too!
Wdym. Please elaborate. Thank you!
This is exactly the video I needed, thanks Andy!
I got you!! 😎
We’re glad you liked it! 😁
@@BlueLineAviationcan I get a loan to pay for flight school
@@alimhond656 Yes! We have financing options available as well!
Both. Now universities are also offering bachelor’s degrees in Aviation plus including a pilot’s license
Which ones?
Which universities?
Embry Riddle, UND theyre expensive tho
Eastern Kentucky university
@@balamdavincimiddle georgia state
It is impressive that you can finish all of your ratings in 5.5 months at your school, but your college timeline just isn’t accurate depending on the school. The school I am training at sees all of its students graduate in just 3 years. Being a collegiate program, we only need 1,000 hours for our R-ATP. Most students graduate with 500-1,000 flight hours. The college has connections with airlines like Frontier, and I have many friends that have been hired at Frontier after just 3 years. The rest only need a few extra months of instructing to reach 1,000. Although Frontier isn’t a major, it has a similar schedule, pay, and benefits. The switch from Frontier to a major is very easy at that point. I do think your school may still be faster, but college can be much faster than you described it to be, and there are some other advantages of going to a college instead.
I like this. May you name this college please?
@@tyciarlo1999 Purdue University
Thank you for your comment! We recognize that each person's flight training journey is unique. Our program is specifically structured to help our students graduate faster than any other school in the US, enabling them to start earning money as a CFI and accumulating flight hours sooner. By reaching the 1500-hour milestone sooner, our students are also maximizing their return on investment, as they don't spend years in school without income. Although we highlight this, our primary aim in this video is to provide valuable information and allow aspiring pilots to make informed choices that align with their unique goals and aspirations.
What school do you go to? And would you recommend going to college?
you stated "friends that have been hired at Frontier after just 3 years", is this 3 years after graduating or the 3 years it took them to graduate?
I’m at a financial crossroads here and I’m probably most likely going to full time flight school and taking out loans and hopefully as a regional pilot I will continue College for a business degree and also have the time and resources to be-able to concentrate in a school. My grandparents want me out of there place and financially I can’t do it unless full time entry level jobs with no experience and no degrees which is not a life I want!!!
Sounds like you’ve got a good plan!
Nothing wrong with either direction however I’m happy with the route I chose. I went to an accelerated academy and went from 0 hours to 1500 hours with a job secured at a leading fractional ownership corporate jet company all in 16 months. There’s no perfect way, everybody will find their own way. Also I’d say your age really plays a roll in deciding. If you’re 18 years old you might as well go to college to kill some time and get a solid education before you turn 23. Most jobs don’t require college including majors.
Adding more weight and thought to the College First path:
This is a very important question for those interested in pursuing a career in aviation and specifically for those interested in a career with the major airlines. This is the first video that I have seen that starts to tackle this question and I think it is a very good start in providing individuals with some things to think about. As in every choice there are trade-offs and probabilities of the outcomes being achieved when you are comparing A vs B (vs C vs etc). In this case I would like to weigh-in and provide some additional things to think about, that build on what is already touched on in this video; and may even respectfully challenge some of the implied assumptions and conclusions in the comparative analysis i.e. A) I liked the side by side timeline; that is a great framework and tool to build the analysis i.e. that was awesome…here are some things to layer on to some of the assumptions stated i.e. the timeline implies that both paths will immediately lead to a regional airline job after flight school / hours are accomplished; and that after 4 years both paths will lead to an immediate airline job…. which suggests that you are better off taking the “Flight School First” path. This however, practically can only hold true in an environment where Demand for jobs dwarfs the Supply of pilots meeting the minimum hours; and to be fair…since COVID and up until recently this was probably the case…and demand will continue to be high in the next few years; however while demand for jobs is not going away, the gap between demand for jobs and supply is starting to narrow....and while as stated in the video the formal requirement of having a college degree is no longer applicable; in a narrower demand / supply environment it will (in my humble opinion) become a competitive advantage for those that will have it…and this is where the analysis of the timeline gets impacted. For example, let’s take 20 individuals and split them into two groups of 10 (one group for each path)…Now let’s say there is a regional airline that has a posting for 5 pilots…I believe that the College First Group will have an advantage and will fill most of those positions…the point is that while the College first will take a few year more to get to the “regional” stage of the journey they will most likely convert into a job faster than the flight school first cohort…and I have seen some communications that suggests airlines (everything else equal) are again starting to factor the degree in their hiring assessment B) The comparison has to also reflect more than 10 years i.e. like any business / industry, aviation goes (and I believe will continue to go) through cycles; from Pilot Shortages to Furloughs … and again this is where having a degree is a positive / differentiator when pilots are recalled after a trough in the business cycle….in short I think both paths as stated in the video have their trade-offs and are options to consider for those that have a passion and want to pursue a career in aviation. My points simply highlight that for those also interested in the major airlines as a career should give a little more weight to the College First path, than is stated in the video; especially thinking about their long term aviation journey. Thank you.
We really appreciate your insight and the thoroughly written response to this video. We also appreciate you not being argumentative. We're so used to that on our social sometimes 😅. Thank you for the compliments on our side-by-side timeline…we worked really hard on that. We initially were going to make a video responding to this comment, because you make a lot of good points, but we just cannot find the time to make it. Instead, we’re going to respond to this 3 weeks late 😀.
We'd like to contribute to this discussion by breaking down your response into two subjects. Game face...it's a novel of a response. If you respond to this, we'll try to get to it as soon as possible, but we're a small marketing team 😅. Those two subjects will be:
1. The Degree's Competitive Hiring Advantage
2. Long-Term Career Considerations
1. The Degree's Competitive Hiring Advantage
- Having a college degree can be more advantageous during the hiring process, which is why we recommend still pursuing a degree, but we think it is best to pursue one after you are getting paid as a pilot. The degree doesn’t really become advantageous until you get to the regionals, but even then and as we mention later, the flight school first individual will get hired quicker if both individuals are on the same timeline and considering a hypothetical delay where they have preferential hiring for those with a degree. The degree can carry weight, but it doesn't carry as much weight as it may seem from what we've experienced in the past decades.
- Considering the cyclical nature of the pilot industry, a degree can potentially be beneficial during periods of low demand for pilots. However, this video emphasizes that going to flight school first is beneficial because those individuals will be applying to regionals two years sooner than those who choose college first. We've been around long enough to see the highs and lows of the industry and we're constantly observing industry fluctuations. Rarely have we seen it take longer than six months for our graduates to make it to the airlines after meeting all qualifications, and it only took that long because our country shut down from COVID. During that time though, they were still getting paid as pilots while building additional hours and experience.
- Comparing two individuals on the same timeline, one choosing college first and the other flight school first, by the time both of them reach the two-year mark, the college-first individual will have received their associate's degree. Meanwhile, the flight school-first individual will have graduated with seven certificates/ratings, started working on their degree part-time, built up 1500 hours, and started applying to regionals (if not already accepted to one). In the worst-case scenario (assuming the same extreme worse case scenario of that 6 month delay we mentioned earlier), they’ll still reach the regionals in 2.5 years. Even if you tripled that delay, they would still get to the regionals first. The college-first individual, however, won’t start looking for regional jobs for at least another 1.5 years from that same 2.5 year point on the timeline. This also assumes that they have built up the 1000 hours required for their R-ATP by graduation (which isn't always the case) and they also don’t experience any delays in being hired themselves. In this scenario, the flight school first individual may have experienced a 6 month delay, but they would have had 1.5 years more experience at the regionals alone by the time the college-first individual started applying for that same regional (let alone all of the experience and flight time the flight school first individual received from completing flight school and instructing much earlier in the timeline).
2. Long-Term Career Considerations
- We want to re-emphasize that going to flight school first doesn’t mean you can’t ever pursue a degree, but rather you’re prioritizing it after you start getting paid as a pilot. It is very possible to receive that degree before you even get to the majors. During the time that the college first individual spent pursuing the degree, flight school-first individuals will have graduated, been getting paid to fly, built more hours and experience, and started building seniority at the regionals. This gives them a significant advantage.
- Hearing from those in the industry now (as the industry is seeing some furloughs and shortages), tenure and experience with that specific airline carry more weight than a college degree at that point. Once again though, if someone pursued their degree after flight school…they not only would have their degree, but they will have more tenure and experience because they were immersed into the industry much sooner than the college-first individual.
The other final point is we have regional recruiters visit our school at least once a month to talk to our students and instructors about future opportunities for them, and the subject of college or no college comes up often. From our conversations with them, college degrees just aren’t carrying much weight, if any, in the hiring process. It is mentioned that it can start to carry weight in the majors, but even then, they aren’t running into such small hiring pools where they are forced to select between those with a college degree and those that don't. They seem to care much more about experience and reputation from an individual's time at the regionals.
Thank you for coming to our TED talk. We may still turn this into a video...but there are so many TikToks to make.
I've seen some community colleges with aviation programs too. A 2 year associates degree program. For me that doesn't sound too bad so I could use my G.I Bill and have the school paid for.
Absolutely! There are several options available, especially if you want to use your GI Bill. Most pilots aiming for a degree typically go for a bachelor's degree, which is more applicable to their future. This video explains the fastest way to become a pilot, allowing you to get paid sooner, build seniority sooner, and reach the majors sooner. Some of our students are veterans who went through our program, then pursued college while instructing, and used their GI Bill for that schooling. This approach lets them build flight hours, gain significantly more experience compared to the college-first route, get paid as pilots, and complete their degrees covered by the GI Bill.
When you join an aviation college program, you're technically in flight school, but you get much less training exposure compared to someone who starts with full-time flight school. This is because the training is spread over four years (or two years for an associate's degree), rather than a 5.5-month intensive period. In that same two-year period, someone who chose flight school first will have graduated with seven certificates/ratings, built up to 1500 hours, and already moved on to the airlines.
There are definitely routes to take where it is initially cheaper, but when you start to consider opportunity cost and/or ROI, it actually will cost you more at the end with less pay, experience, and seniority on the same timeline as someone who chose to go to flight school first.
I could’ve used this video a couple years ago before I decided to finish my degree first 😅
😅😅
Would you recommend I get a degree as a back up? Or double majoring in an aviation university?
@@gbma3241 It really comes down to personal preference and your long-term goals. Some opt for a degree not related to aviation as a backup in case flying isn't an option, but remember, losing the ability to fly doesn't mean you can't work in the industry. The aviation field is resilient but people like to avoid the ripple effect of an industry that is experiencing any problems.
Others choose an aviation degree for a stronger industry connection. However, some people skip a degree because it's quite an expensive option for a backup plan. Instead, they may acquire trade skills or explore financial security through business ownership or investments. Ultimately, it's about aligning your choices with your aspirations and financial considerations.
I ll one day join this 6 months training!
We’ll be here!
I was wondering about the difficulty of getting a job without a bachelor degree? How successful have your students been getting jobs without the degree?
Nearly all pilot positions no longer require a degree, although having one can be advantageous in highly competitive fields. Our graduates without degrees have successfully secured jobs with airlines, cargo companies, and corporate employers with no issues. The most important factor is flight experience! This is why we recommend going to flight school first if your goal is to be a pilot.
This video really layed it for to me thank you
I love this but I’m so scared about not getting a degree in case things change with airlines. More experience but degrees stand out…
I'd recommend doing the flight training first, get a solid job, then do an online degree or a degree at a local community college in an unrelated field
Many colleges have a flight school. University of North Dakota is one of the most respected degrees in the aviation world, and a person can reach the airlines with less hours and less debt.
UND is an excellent program, and many colleges offer great options for those who desire to take that route! What we do is provide accelerated training for those who want to prioritize flying for a career. In as little as 5.5 months, our graduates can get paid as a career pilot. This means our alumni won't be accruing additional debt but rather earning money while time-building. From 0 experience, our graduates usually hit 1500 hours in 1.5 to 2 years, which means they will go to the airlines, charter, or corporate sooner than those who choose a bachelors program.
Thank you so much! this was so useful and really cleared up some questions I had. I dropped a well deserved sub for you. Keep it up!
Thank you!
@@BlueLineAviationMinimum age for ATP is 23 years old. If you start flight training school at age 18, you will have accumulated 1,500 mics by age 21. How will you continue when the FAA does not allow ATP under age 23?
@@MaMu-oz3yf Good question! We highly recommend you check out our other video called "Becoming A Pilot After High School". It directly answers that question!
Definitely finish college first, preferably with a marketable degree. In the event you aren’t hired by a good paying company, or have disqualifying medical issues, at least you have an education.
Some colleges such as mine, only require you to get 1000 hours to get an r-atp so you only have to actually get 750 hours as an instructor rather than 1250
Which college is that
@@amanirichards8696 Utah Valley University
The best video on this topic. Thanks!
Im 15 right now, what do you recommend I do while im still in High School??
You’re welcome! We suggest creating a post-graduation plan as well as trying a discovery flight to confirm your interest in this career path! Starting college-level courses in high school will also help with you attain your bachelor's degree more efficiently and make yourself more competitive. Contact one of our training advisors for help with these steps!
Minimum age for ATP is 23 years old. If you start flight training school at age 18, you will have accumulated 1,500 mics by age 21. How will you continue when the FAA does not allow ATP under age 23?
Good question! We actually made a video about this very subject! It's titled "Becoming a Pilot After High School", and we go over what we recommend you do if you obtain all of your hours prior to being 23 years of age.
you can get a restricted ATP at 21 without going to an accredited college program;
14 CFR § 61.160
(f) A person may apply for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate concurrently with a multiengine airplane type rating if the person has 1,500 hours total time as a pilot, 200 hours of cross-country flight time, and otherwise meets the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.159.
1500TT and 200XC- you can apply for an RATP at 21 years of age
§ 61.153 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Meet the following age requirements:
(2) For an airline transport pilot certificate obtained under the aeronautical experience requirements of § 61.160, be at least 21 years of age.
The caveat is that when you hold an RATP you are subject to 61.167 limitations- essentially SIC / First Officer only until you can be issued an unrestricted ATP at 23.
Hope this helps.
Degree is a waste of time, unless they change the hiring requirements. But as of now it’s pointless to check the box. Getting a non aviation degree as a back up isn’t a bad idea
Oh okay i understand
Quick Question, Would This Work As A Path To The Majors: ATP Flight School (9 Months). Time Building As CFI (2 Years). Regionals (4 Years). Envoy Air want some college to be completed as you apply so I would do Embry Riddle Worldwide (Online) for those first two years as a CFI, then for the next two years at the regionals, I would complete my Bachelors degree. Thank You!
Yes! We would recommend pursuing your degree while time building or at the regionals instead of during or before flight school. This would equate to less time accumulating debt and a quicker route to the majors! Also, some flight schools like ours have partnerships with colleges to allow your flight training to count towards your bachelor's, meaning you would complete your degree even faster. That info is here: www.bluelineaviation.com/purdue-partnership
Question: Can i still become a pilot without perfect 20/20 vision. I have around 20/60 vision is there something i could do like simply wear glasses while im flying?
You do not need perfect eye sight! We recommend you reach out to a local AME (Aviation Medical Examiner) or talk with AOPA's medical department and they can give you specific guidance for what you're asking!
You just need to have correctable 20/20; glasses/contacts are fine
@@mach2will are the sunglasses pilots wear actual sunglasses ot glasses?
@@burneraccount. both. i would get a sunglasses prescription if you need glasses
As a future veteran wouldn’t it make more sense to go to college full time as the GI bill will cover all tuition and flight costs as long as it doesn’t go over the 27k per year limit and getting housing allowance rather than spending 20k avg to get your privates license then the gi bill only paying half of your flight cost and only half of your bah
The extent of your GI Bill benefits hinges on factors like your service type, deployment history, and more. Not every GI Bill recipient receives full coverage. While having the GI Bill cover both full-time college and aviation training can alleviate debt concerns for aspiring pilots, it overlooks a critical aspect-seniority.
Entering service later delays your ability to fully commit to flight school or college, and most veterans don't pursue education during their initial years of service. Despite potential debt relief, the trade-off is falling years behind in seniority compared to peers who started earlier. Students who swiftly repay flight school debt can enter the industry with both seniority and financial freedom, outpacing those with lower debt but slower career progression.
@@BlueLineAviation thanks for the reply I agree seniority has a crucial impact on the decision to either do part 141 or part 61
Hi, I’m a high school senior. Planning to peruse career towards aviation. Is there any way I could talk with you and know little better?
Absolutely! Head to our website to submit a contact information form, and one of our training advisors will reach out to you to answer any questions you have!
Thank you so much@@BlueLineAviation
get your ppl ir or multiengine first then go to college for your degree !
This is good guidance, and we deep dive this exact path in this video 😎
@@BlueLineAviationwhen?!? This is the exact path I’m on.
Do you think I'll have less opportunities for scholarships if I just do flight school and not college? I fr need opinions and perspectives on this because money is my main issue
Can I do flight school in the summer while being a full time business student?
You don’t need 1500 hours with a. Degree
Can you do one for if you want to do air force through rotc
Great idea!
What about schools like Embry Riddle Aeronautical University? Wouldn’t that also help me better too and get the flight hours I need to get into the major airlines?
Yes! However, we would say that if your goal is to fly for the airlines or any aviation industry that values seniority, becoming a pilot and gaining flight hours sooner rather than later is the most important. Going to flight school first and taking college classes while time building allows you to gain seniority faster.
@@BlueLineAviation Thanks! It’s just I wanna become a JetBlue pilot but at the same time I wanna go to college so I have a stronger background with the degree. Is there like a way to do both at the same time?
@@LightSkies245 Absolutely! We believe that taking college courses to earn your bachelors while you are time building is the most efficient way. You can also earn college credit while earning your pilot certificates/ratings! Look into our partnership with Purdue Global: www.bluelineaviation.com/purdue-partnership. We recommend that you contact one of our training advisors to answer any specific questions you make have. Fill out a contact info form here: www.bluelineaviation.com/about/contact-us.
high quality video
Thanks! 🙏
what day do you classes start i would like to apply after highschool but doesn’t look like you guys have times in june?
Our classes usually start on every other Monday, but one of our training advisors can help you with a specific request regarding enrollment dates!
Blue line is a good school I’m sure. But damm they charge about 120k for there program. There are schools that charge half that!
While the cost may be high, the investment proves to be highly valuable. Our goal is for our students to have a net positive investment quicker. Being the fastest program in the nation, our students start their careers as pilots sooner than those attending any other flight school!
@@BlueLineAviation how is that possible you guys give ratings out just like everyone else. You guys push magic buttons to get us to become airline pilots faster?
Hey, I’m 16 years old and I’m graduating early in January. Since you guys require 18 years of age to start the program. What would you recommend me to do in the meanwhile?
I had the idea to pursue an associate degree for 2 years in mechanical engineering, try to get my PPL in the summer, then get to the program once I turn 18 while finishing my bachelors online. Do you think this is a good idea?
I also have another question. Do the flight school credits in Blueline go to mechanical engineering in Perdue global?
Lastly, do think people can handle both college and accelerated flight school at the same time? If so, what are some strategies people use.
I would really appreciate an answer!
That's awesome! We have a team of training advisors that can give you a more personal and detailed plan of action than we could give on here. Head to our website to input your contact information! bluelineaviation.com
What subject do I need sir to do the aviation course
Will I be able to get a job as a pilot if I do the aviation course at a university
Any Bachelor’s will do! However, we recommend going to flight school before college if your goal is to be a pilot.
@@BlueLineAviation so is it mandatory to go to both a collage and flight school or u are able to choose one
@@Gracekadzombe If your dream is to be a pilot, you will need to train for your certificates/ratings. The quickest and most efficient way to do this is through flight school. A college degree will make you more competitive, but it is no longer required by major airlines.
Hey I want to join L3 Harris in Florida ... I heard they offer degrees but i just wanted to confirm since i have been contacting them but i heard no reply ..... Do you think theu have degrees
Hey! Question here from a non American citizen looking to start pilot training. I understand I probably have to go through FTSP and after that start flight school to get my PPL. Anyways there’s just a lot of complications around flying as a non citizen and I understand that. I’m looking to get my ppl at a part time flight school while finishing up high school. After that, moving to college for a degree in aviation. My question is, would it be hard for me, a foreigner to become a commercial or corporate pilot working in the US? Like how hard would it be to get a visa sponsor from an airline or company after I finish my ppl and graduate from college with all my hours and certificates? Thanks a lot for your help😃
I would research some schools down in Florida like Epic Flight Academy. They have lots of foreign students and I don't exactly think you'd need an airline sponsorship? I would get in contact with them and see what they have to say for a start.
Curious if you know if the school is approved by the VA. I have the post 911 gi bill I’m looking to use. Already have PPL
Unfortunately, we are unable to accept the GI Bill at this time.
Be careful how you spend your G.I. Bill. You only get it once.
What if i already have an associates degree? Should i go to flight school or just finish my degree
Your decision depends on your personal preference, however, we suggest completing your certificates/ratings as quickly as possible before finishing your degree. This will grant you more seniority with the airlines and allow you to finish your degree while accumulating flight hours.
Do you have 2 years masters instead of 4 years bachelor?
Does Blueline still have a college agreement with Purdue Global ? No reason you can’t do both.
Yes, we do! It’s mentioned at 4:26!
@@BlueLineAviation fantastic I didn’t know if that was still a thing! Looking forward to both school and flight training
@@PatrickAviator Awesome!
Hi, I hope this message finds you well. I have a few questions regarding obtaining a bachelor's degree after attending Blue Line Aviation. I am curious if it is possible for me to go to Embry Riddle rather than pursuing another path. Additionally, I would like to know more about the opportunities for international students to study there. Do I need to finish my Bachillerato in Spain before attending Blue Line Aviation? Furthermore, I am starting to plan for my dream college after Blue Line Aviation and I am curious about the payment options available for students. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
if you're planning to come to Riddle, get at least your private first. If possible, get as many certificates as you can so you can work as a CFI in Riddle and do your degree. For international, apply for either the F-1 (riddle) or M-1 (if you dont want work in the US only flying)
Can anyone explain what is degree???
Anyway to do flight school and collage together?
Some colleges offer flight training alongside your academic program, and that could be the right step for you. However, we would say that this approach is less efficient, incurs higher costs in the long term, and demands more time. Opting for full-time flight school initially allows you to enter the airlines or another seniority-based industry sooner, while concurrently pursuing your bachelor's degree during time building.
Well you need collage first.
We would say that if you want to fly for a career, it is more efficient and less expensive to go to full-time flight school first!
collage becuse you cant get a job as a commercial without a collage degree.
We agree that everyone has their own path! However, the airlines, cargo companies, and other frequent employers no longer require a college degree for pilots! With that said, we would say it is more efficient to go to flight school first if your dream is to fly for a living.
straight up wrong
@@StrictlySportscaptain?🧢
@@samthomas6786you don’t need a degree at all
Hey is this flight school located anywhere near New Jersey ?
We have two locations: one in North Carolina and one in Florida!
@@BlueLineAviation thank you and one question ? If I were to choose the flight school and get all the certificates etc will I be able to fly international ? Without any college degree ?
@@sharjeelahmed7459 One of our training advisors would be the best route for answering these specific questions! Visit our website to contact us!