You boys are talkin` symantics here. Yes, as associate degree is a degree, but...it doesn`t mean a thing. It isn`t what the airlines are looking for. There are about a million guys (and gals) out there with a 4 year degree, plenty of hours, and a ticket full of ratings. Why would they settle for something that is an extention of high school? You might not like it, but that`s the way it is.