Best Path to AC

linebacker35 · Post by **linebacker35** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 5:39 pm

My ultimate goal is to make it to AirCanada. I have to make a choice in the next few days whether to transfer to Mount Royal's aviation program(2 year diploma) or finish off my degree at the U of C while working on my commercial and other ratings on the side. I know in the states(where I have been for the last while) that the obvious choice would be get the degree seeing as thats all the big legacy carriers cared about, is Canada differant? What would make me a better candidate for AC in the Future? I would apreciate any and all advice on this matter.
Thank you

Anonymous1 · Post by **Anonymous1** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 9:34 pm

There is no one thing you can do to guarantee you will be accepted at AC, WJ or any other airline. The fact is that there are not enough airline positions for all the applicants. The most unpleasant and unhappy pilots I've had the displeasure of flying entered a flying career for the sole purpose of flying at an airline.

I would suggest that you don't even bother pursuing flying as a career unless you have a true passion for flying. As there are no guarantees, what will you think in 10 - 15 years from now when you are still waiting for the phone to ring with your 10,000 hours while you're flying in the bush?

To answer your question, a 4 year degree is better than a college diploma. A U.S. degree is given same weight as a Canadian degree.

twinpratts · Post by **twinpratts** » Sun Jul 29, 2007 10:26 pm

I'd do MRC, then go to CMA.
All the best!

Dark Helmet · Post by **Dark Helmet** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:15 am

Yeah I'd go with pratts advice on this one. Lots of MRC grads now work at AC. All they had was just the MRC diploma. Don't limit yourself to just AC. there are other airlines to go to besides AC. WJ, Cathay, Transat, etc. Good luck

Red1 · Post by **Red1** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:32 am

I would stick with your degree, It's a great back up just in case you ever loose your medical or decide flying isn't for you. Plus I believe a degree sill trumps a Diploma for many carriers around the world. I did go to college and found most of the info I learned from the flight college I had forgotten by the time it might have came in handy. Good Luck

Kelowna Pilot · Post by **Kelowna Pilot** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:23 pm

Go with the degree... if the industry tanks like it did after the AC-Canadian merger, then 9-11, you'll be screwed. Getting a normal job with an aviation diploma would be very tough. The aviation diploma will pigeon hole you in most employers eyes.

Get an engineering degree.

Four1oh · Post by **Four1oh** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:07 am

I hear it help s to gear-up an airplane!

netty · Post by **netty** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:48 pm

Definately the degree, a plan B to fall back on is a must. Other than that good luck and have fun!

linebacker35 · Post by **linebacker35** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:51 pm

Mogas wrote:Hey Linebacker,

I thought you wanted to join the air force?

Yeah thats still my main plan... I was just wondering about a backup plan. Though Im pretty confident I would get excepted into the ROTP program for the Canadian forces, probably try for the spring semester

v6g · Post by **v6g** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:54 am

Get an engineering degree and learn to fly in your spare time, it's easily achievable (that's what I did and I know several colleagues who have followed in my foot-steps - one of whom has just bought a beautiful plane and is enjoying his best summer ever). You can instruct in your spare time to fulfill your want for flying and your engineering profession will give you a reliable steady income that allows you to build wealth for you and your family's future. If you later decide to quit engineering and go fly professionally then you'll still have that option open to you if you wish.

A skilled engineer is considered an asset to a company and (if the need is great enough) a company will pay any amount to get the right set of skills. A pilot is just an unfortunate cost of doing business for an airline - the few big paycheques that exist in aviation exist more for reasons of union-type seniority than for skill or experience. Although, having said that, finding a small but necessary niche in aviation can command appropriate reward.

Besides, where will you be as a pilot when global oil production reaches a peak and enters into terminal decline (over 50% of oil producing nations already have) pushing oil prices to $200-500+ a barrel? Aviation will be the first industry to collapse. Engineering, in whatever form it involves into, will probably be one of the last.

beechjockey · Post by **beechjockey** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:14 pm

oh thank you your heiness for allowing us all to bow down and kiss the great ground you wonderful engineers have provided us.

Talk about full of himself...

Is it just me or does his avatar kinda look like what fell out of mine!!!

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:03 pm

I agree with the engineer; except for the part about easily achievable. I've met a few people who dropped out of engineering at UW and went into the sciences. From my experience, engineering is more difficult than science, and science much more than arts.

blueoval56 · Post by **blueoval56** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:02 pm

Im in the MRC diploma program and I would definately come not only because of the extras that you'll learn but because of the people you meet as well, as for the comment from the engineer....... I ALMOST FELL OFF MY CHAIR!