My plan

[kurt2591]

hey guys,
I've been thinking about this for a while and well I thought I'd get some people's opinions on it so here goes!

I'm 17 years old and going to do my A'levels in Maths and Physics this year. I really want to become a commercial airline pilot - it's my dream (like so many others'!)

I definitely want to go to university at some point and I have the following 2 choices:

1. The University of Malta (I live in Malta) offers a BSc. in Mechanical Engineering - so I would complete the 3 year course and then move abroad to do my pilot training. Total time from now = 5.5 years.

2. City University in London offers a BSc. in Air Transport Management along with Pilot Training. Total time from now = 4 years.

Some people might think, oh I'd become a pilot asap but I'm not so sure! I mean for one, it'd be so much cheaper for me to stay at the local university since - it's free and there are no accommodation costs since I live here. If I were to go to the local university I was thinking of becoming a steward with Air Malta (local airline) just for the summer holidays in between my course years - great experience for a summer job.

SO what do you guys think? Please feel free to reply with your own suggestions/opinions.
Thanks!!
Kurt

[Celtic Pilot]

Well start off by saying your young so you have plenty of time of your side....

Ive just graduated out of a four year course of BEng Mechanical Engineering in Ireland. ...BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE.... Stay in malta and do that... If your set on being a pilot, then dont do a degree in something relateed to aviation WASTE OF TIME..plus no jobs = no continency plan if the whole flying thing goes tits up...

Im currently working as a design engineer, and ive found that 1, there alot more engineering jobs than flying jobs and 2, engineering posts pay much better than F/O's

in my opinion do the mechanical engineering course... (not easy though)
BUT DEFINITALY GO TO UNI, the current situation in the economy is an example of why

Good luck with your decisions!!!!

CP

[preduk]

I doubt you could become a steward for the summer, stewards require a large amount of training on a frequent basis so training you so that you only work 8weeks isn't really worth while.

It's not really a part time job, its more a full time career.

My brothers doing Mechanical Engineering at University and loves it, it's a hard course but there are several areas within the engineering industry that you can get a career in (for example motor sports).

I wouldn't touch the other degree.

[kurt2591]

thanks to both for your replies!
Well my best friend's dad is the chief purser for the airline so I might be able to get in with that - plus the chairman is a family friend ;)
It's just so confusing to make a big decision like that in such a short time, but I think I will stay here for uni.
Just one more question - this summer I worked as a customer service representative at Malta Intl. airport (3 months). (My plan for being a steward was to become one for the coming 3 summers so maybe they would see it as "worth it".) If I do become one for the summer months, do you think all this work (working at an airport and being a steward) would be a colourful all-round work experience in the industry - and an attractive one by an employer of an airline?
thanks again!;)

[Celtic Pilot]

It could do but im not to sure,,, its the people on the other side of the interview table which decides that one im afraid....
I worked as a dispatcher part-time while at uni, was an ok job,,, I think it might and I STRESS MIGHT have a 'tick' over people who have zero experience in the industry AT ALL..Shows you r inetrest for one anyhow!!!!

Im not sure at all, but all great experience for you, so I would definitaly go ahead, presides beer tokens for weekends sound alrite!!!!

[kurt2591]

haha yeah that sounds great! :8
well I'll take up any job that will be in a plane until I can fly so should be fun!
Thanks loads for the reply
safe flying!

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

A degree in airline management is a waste of time and sounds expensive compared to staying at home.

WWW

[ali1986]

well a degree is certainly less expensive than learning to fly.

and also how can you say 'its a waste of time' doing a degree?

its something to do if your planning on waiting till 'things' get better!


Ali

[Aerospace101]

I think you'll find WWW said dont get a degree in 'airline management'. He didnt mean dont get a degree at all! :ugh:

The point is what the hell are you going to do with a degree in 'airline management'!?!

There are far better degrees to do which can actually get you a job, like engineering...(but thats probably like too much hard work :8 )

[kurt2591]

Oh don't worry I'm definitely doing a degree! Well Engineering sounds really good right about now :8
thanks for all your thoughts!