Originally Posted by
MaxThrustPower
I can't speak to your questions about the flight schools in Florida.
I would like to talk about the degree portion.
Yes, you definitely need to get your degree if you want to fly for the majors one day.
It's generally true that what specialty your degree is in is not that important, as long as you have one. That being said, if I was sitting on a hiring board and looking at two candidates to fly for my airline, the one who majored in a more rigorous course of study at a brick-and-mortar institution would definitely get the edge with all other factors being equal.
While "online" degrees are certainly available now and are becoming more mainstream, I believe that a degree completed in a classroom environment with a professor and other students is looked upon much more favorably by an employer, airline or otherwise, than an "online" degree. There are some "online" programs that are not up to the standards of a traditional education.
Personally, I don't understand pilots who insist on getting their degree in "Aviation". I fly for a major airline and the great majority of our pilots have degrees in areas other than "aviation". The airlines don't care or value that any more than a non-aviation degree, I don't believe. And I've known MANY pilots who have left the industry over time before full retirement age, even after reaching the major airlines. While the reason they leave can be a desire to pursue something different, it's more often related to some medical condition that prohibits a Class One medical. And it happens more often than you would think.
So, then what???? That "aviation" degree is not going to do much for you in any other field. You might be able to work as an airport manager or something like that. Maybe. But why not major in something completely different but marketable in other industries?? Yes, the coursework might be more stringent but you'll have something you can actually USE if you need it. Outside of the airline or airport world, that "aviation" degree is going to be looked on with skepticism and bemusement by HR managers.
I have the perception that many of those "aviation" programs such as ERAU charge a much higher tuition that you would pay at a public state university. You can save some money by completing the core classes in freshman and sophomore years at a community college and then transferring to a 4-year university to complete your degree, all while working on your ratings and building flying experience at the local aviation schools.
Either way you decide, good luck with sorting all this out and with pursing your career.
Thanks Captain about this info toward the degree stuff really helped me a lot view on getting a degree online or not. Thanks a lot have a great day wish seeing you in the future.