Hello
Thanks for the informative posts. Firstly, onthebuses, you're a moron who's really missed the point. Look at how many hits this thread as had. It's a very serious consideration which I don't see discussed anywhere else. Also your attitude towards learning disorders and educational standards is/are dangerous, distasteful, inconsiderate, and utterly unnecessary.
Secondly, Scroggs, thanks your post perfectly sums up my present position. I've had a couple of lessons, and I'm going to study for my PPL in one month. Whilst I understand this will not be a perfect insight (like many brief internships and vacation placements), I feel it's as close I can get without actually doing the job (?). I've also been chatting to pilots and and training providers who think it's a good idea. For the record, there has been a mixed response from these guys about the relevance of a degree.
onthebuses (pal), I wasn't expecting to leap into a shiny jet liner immediately after I qualify.
I'm sorry if my posts have been a little vague. I'm quite prepared to have to pay for the training myself. Naturally I'd rather not, and I'm really quite apprehensive about doing it if the employment prospects (given age, the licence, medical, a positive and affable personality [and degree!]) aren't reasonable. I'm really quite positive about about flying as a possible career, but I'm NOT going to spend vast tracts of cash if the chances of employment are stupidly low.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think it's important to be very pragmatic about spending 45K in any situation, and I expect something positive for my investment. As a consequence, perhaps my post about educational standards was a little boastful. I want it to be. I want it to increase my chances of gaining employment, especially after nervously spending 45K. I now understand that perhaps it's not as useful as it is in many sectors, and I very much appreciate the majority of your posts.
Kind regards