JHof

Cool vid, but calling that a 'start up' is a little misleading. There's much more going on there than starting the engines. Modern turbine engines are pretty automated and don't require much more than the push of a button (starter) and flip of a lever (fuel) to start.

I think pilots wearing Readibands would quickly reveal that a large number of airline pilots are working well into what would be considered a fatigued state.

I'm a PC-12 pilot in the Northeast and have been watching this company since it was little more than an idea and a Twitter account (original name Plane Red). Their marketing and execution is so much better than other small airlines. I'd love to see a service like this come to the NYC area. So many people spend far more than this per month on tickets to go to Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, the Hamptons and coastal Maine.

I've been learning to code lately and worked up something like this not too long ago - http://mementomori.neocities.org/. Kind of buggy and unfinished, but it works. Mine uses weeks rather than months.

Haven't attended but really want to. One thing I wonder about the boot camps vs. teaching myself is: Even if I'm able to reach a level of proficiency equal to that of, say, a Dev Bootcamp grad, would I be able to find a job?

Graduates of these programs seem to be 'in' and can get hired much more easily. For a relative beginner learning to code, that's a great place to be and, I think, part of the value of a boot camp. My assumption is that a similarly skilled, self-taught newbie will have a harder time getting looked at by the same employers.

Maybe someone can comment on this as well.

There are two undergrad programs in the US that have ABET accreditation: Florida State and Regis University. Unless you're going to a very well known school such as Stanford, I'd consider this important. Especially if you plan to move on to a masters program.

This could give a much needed boost to a sleepy part of the aviation industry.

Hack Reactor. Nothing I can't learn on my own, but job prospects seem much better post boot camp. Plus the whole immersion with a sense of urgency idea just seem much more effective than a year of self-study. Not to mention the networking. I think the next best option is self study supplemented with paid resources - Codeschool, Thinkful, Udacity, General Assembly, etc.

I would attend the programming boot camp to which I was accepted but will not be able to afford.

In your case, it sounds like you spend much of your time and energy achieving. Instead of using the break to steady yourself for the next leap, why not take time to wander a little? Go experience unique people and places. Set out to change your perspective. Play. It could help you discover what you want or what's next in your career, giving you something to work toward, rather than blindly collecting 'skills' and 'credentials' that may or may not be what you need to take the next step.

If the finished product is anything close to what you've described on your website, then yes. Still, I've come across books like this in other fields and they tend to not be very good. Maybe non-writers overestimate their ability to write? Or it could be that professionals at the top of their fields misjudge their expertise on what it takes to 'make it'. Becoming great at something often boils down to the basics. One person's unique path or perspective on how to get there isn't always transferable.

I immediately thought of this blog post when I read your comment - http://joethepeacock.blogspot.com/2012/04/thats-why-you-dont... I've experienced your situation and have always found this uplifting.

I think your post is fascinating. I've always wondered how avionics software compares non-certified tools/apps like Foreflight, especially Garmin. It all just looks so outdated compared to what's possible.

I've been following Surf Air since it was little more than an idea and a Twitter account. Awesome to see a new idea like this to aviation.

No, it doesn't have to be SF. And of course I can learn on my own anywhere. I just think it'd be really motivational to be where it's all 'happening' for a while. Also, my industry (with some exceptions) seems late to adopt any new school of thought in this space. Outside of my own projects/ideas, I'd rather contribute where it counts.

Redmand was 22 years old when he decided to become a successful programmer. He was 40 when it occurred to him for the first time that being a star developer was a young man's game and that people might object. To hell with that, he thought, and never worried about it again.

--"She was twelve years old when she told Eddie Willers that she would run the railroad when they grew up. She was fifteen when it occurred to her for the first time that women did not run railroads and that people might object. To hell with that, she thought—and never worried about it again." -Atlas Shrugged

I think if you just be you and do what you do with a little more confidence you'll find your way just fine.

Yeah..the bootcamp starting salaries sound great, but wouldn't that be equivalent to something like $40k in most other cities? Either way, it's a good start and plenty for a single guy to live on.

Thanks. Both really good resources. I suppose the degree has a longer term value than a boot camp and opens doors for future educational opportunities. The best way to combine them might be to go to the boot camp and get a job, then complete the degree as a working developer. I'm leaning toward the degree though. Much to think about.

I would expect age to be somewhat skewed toward 20-somethings, but not so strongly. Makes me wonder if this is an accurate picture of developers in the US.