Though they are a dime a dozen, I'd hazard a guess that a UT affiliation is more valuable in the Texas job-market (or for socializing/advancement prospects) than an undergrad degree from a fancy school. Unfortunately, there are cliques within this state that attempt to create an unwelcoming aTmosphere for those of us that had the good sense to attend an institution where basic literacy and familiarity with indoor plumbing are prerequisites. Thankfully, we outnumber them.

IMO, there are two reasons to spend big money for an undergrad degree from a prestigious (not faux prestigious) institution: 1) to get a job you otherwise would not be able to get, and 2) to increase your chances of admission to a graduate/professional program.

With respect to 1), I think that principle only matters for certain types of jobs, like banking or general employment at a large corporation. For example, if you want an entry level job at Morgan Stanley (or wherever), that Harvard or U Penn undergrad finance degree will benefit you much more than your Cleveland State undergrad degree. But if you are in a profession with high demand, like engineering, your undergraduate institution matters much less. Also, most liberal arts undergraduate degrees are worthless from an employment perspective, but many people with such degrees want to work for a year or two before graduate school. The person with the degree from the prestigious school always has the presumption that "he/she went to XYZ, he/she must be good" working for them when trying to find that semi-decent, entry-level corporate job to tide them over until grad school (again, IMO).

With respect to 2), graduate and professional schools are so unbelievably competitive these days, and the top schools favor students from other top schools so strongly, that it makes sense to pay more (if you can afford it) for a top undergraduate program if you are focused on attending a top graduate or professional school program.

Please remember that the Brink's truck doesn't follow the hearse!

Preach on my brother.

I see fellow alumni here in Atlanta on a fairly regular basis.

Too bad I've already got travel planned for this weekend. Just spotted that juicy $149 (likely $249 after taxes) IAH-ACA special. May is the tail end of sportfishing season, but there should be plenty of Sails and Marlin left in the waters.

It looks like IAH-ACA is already sold out.

There are several decent destinations from EWR this weekend as well. Unfortunately, I am unable to travel this weekend as I have to be available to take a last minute trip on Sunday or Monday. :(

I guess taking the under was a safe bet. OSL-SVO has already posted to my OnePass account. :eek:

Looks like that one is sold out anyway... :(

Wow - sounds like SU has stepped it up quite a bit since I flew them (SVO-LED and back) a few years ago. Like I said, I waited about a month before having to send my boarding passes in.

I'm still waiting to hear what you thought of the Tu-154s! :)

Had you made it to the Brew Tap by the time I was dishing out the Aeroporn photos? The Biz seats were very comfy, the food was decent, and the sensation of a Tri-Jet takeoff on ex-Soviet stock was phenomenal. Had a very smooth ride over to SVO, with a great view of the Baltic and Gulf of Finland on the way over. Will post a link to the trip report once I've had enough time to craft it. Will take some time to decide which of the 600+ photos to link in the report.

Victory is mine, Victory is mine, all hail victory is mine.


:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

oh ConciergeMike...

Wow - you must have been pretty drunk last night - I didn't make the trip down from EWR to the Brew Tap. :p :D

I'd love to partake in the Aeroporn next weekend if you're up for showing them off again.

So, no wood trim of wood carvings hanging on the bulkheads!? Sounds like you got one of the more modern Tupolevs...

huh? it's been along time since modern and Tupolev was in the same sentence.

Whoops! I thought I was responding to Hartmann. :o

I dunno how modern it was, but I think the Tu-154Ms were rolling off the assembly lines in the 80's. So, they're half as old as the NW DC-9s. They did have the wood trim and sewn murals on the bulkhead, though (have pics of the murals).

I know - I had a laugh as I was typing it. Maybe I should have said "more modern"? :D

One of my flights was on RA-85642 (I'll have to check the delivery date) and the interior was straight out of the 60s/70s! Unfortunately, I missed the tail # of the return flight but the interior was just the same.