Originally Posted by
galaxy flyer
rickair7777,
One factor that has skewed the data (and the reality
) has been the airlines' preference for military pilots who for decades were required to be officers with four-year degrees. This military requirement didn't change even during Vietnam. Airline recruiters became accustomed to 50%+ of hires having degrees.
That skewed things back in the day.
Today, so many people have degrees that it's just expected.
If you look at raw hiring data today, you'll see lot's of master's degrees...that's because the military makes it's pilots get one, if they stick around past O3 (or think they might want to). The military usually pays for it too.