Degree or Flight School?

[jigsaw]

Originally posted by Gunslinger
Just private for right now.  Maybe somthing more in the future

Something you might want to think about then...
Get your private, check into your VA benifits for training.
Can't recall if it's before or after your instrument when the bennies kick in. A lot of guys at our flight school went through the program that way to start a new career. Once you have your private, you can build time easily for more ratings.

As for the degree there are many options. Aside from the ones I've seen mentioned already, UVSC has an interesting program where you can get up to 16 hours for ratings you hold or are working on. I'm currently going that route as the online classes are easier for me to manage time wise. Downside is that if something is wrong with the course, it's a royal pain to get it looked into and stay on schedule.

The biggest complaint I've heard from people with regard to an aviation science degree is that you're limited on what you can do with it. That's true in a sense, but if you can pick up a BS fairly easily, then it will be a small step to add another degree or go for something like an online MBA program.

[mrblack]

take the money and have an affair with a stripper.

[Raubvogel]

Degree all the way. It will pay off far more in the future.

Gunslinger, you at 29 Palms?

[Connection]

A degree can pay for your flight school, but it doesnt work the other way.

[Wolfala]

Gunny,

Use my example as a cautionary prescription for what you are asking. I've come out of the U of I with the Human Factors degree - but short of a PHD it is pretty much useless. Additionally, I took the gamble that my health wouldn't fail me - but you remember finals week in april when I got ****ed by type 1 diabetes. Point is - you can do the major - but have a backup plan incase things don't pan out the way you planned.



Wolf

[Dingbat]

Originally posted by jigsaw
Something you might want to think about then...
Get your private, check into your VA benifits for training.
Can't recall if it's before or after your instrument when the bennies kick in. A lot of guys at our flight school went through the program that way to start a new career.  

Jigsaw is pretty much on the money.  I fly out of quantico and can get you the info if you want it.  IIRC after you get your PPC, you IR and on is partially or fully covered provided you pass.

[capt. apathy]

With a family I know I can do one of them but not both.

I was about to say go with what makes you happy while you can.  then I saw the above line.

  that changes everything, when you have a family, what makes you happy don't mean a damn thing.  do the thing that could lead to aditional income not aditional out-go.  

and as far as

I have 10 years left on active duty so a degree isnt going to help me job wise...

I'm a walking poster-child for how your career path can be derailed in a matter of seconds and you have to figure out a new way to make a living.  having a degree in something marketable as a back-up should help you sleep a little better at night.