I don't know about 'back in the day', but in the mid-80s when I was hired at EAL, my entire class had degrees. Probably 60% were ex-mil which made the degree a foregone conclusion. Hiring back then was heavily ex-mil and thus had degrees. When UA and AA off the street guys to be trained to be pilots in the 60s, the going in condition was a degree.

I doubt the 4-year degree will ever disappear as a basic requirement. I know loads of pilots without degrees that never got a call by a major or a legacy.

303flyboy

Dream on, why do you say that? And don't give me the "retirement curve" shortage theory. I've watched and been active in this industry for almost 50 years, never have I seen, despite many predictions, a shortage.

GF