Originally Posted by
8Lpearlchannel
How is a 3.9 GPA business degree from a "top 10 ranked public university" relevant to operating a commercial airliner?
Whether you like it or not, airlines must clearly find better results with those candidates coming from aviation universities... or they would not be offering these bonuses. Aside from the actual flying, an aviation degree might also include curriculum in advanced aerodynamics, meteorology, human factors, flight physiology, aviation law... heck, even interpersonal communication. These are all subjects chosen to groom a well-rounded professional pilot and the results show.
Right now there are far fewer students enrolling in these types of courses. If airlines want to keep hiring from these universities, they will have to show some incentive to future prospects.
So how often when you're operating a commercial airliner do you use human factors, physiology(which I guarantee I have a better background in), or aviation law. Heck, how often do you even use your "advanced" aerodynamics or meteorology day to day? Last I checked, there are plenty of pilots coming from non-university programs operating very safely because they will teach you all the aircraft and operational specifics you need to be successful. What you do with that is up to you.