I agree with respect to the “newly minted Thomas Edison grad”. The discussion of online degrees is valid yet completely separate. AA/UA/DL are not (absent very remote exceptions) going to hire someone into a position that will end up out earning managing director level and keeping pace with VP level management positions in departments other than flight operators without 4 year degrees. The industry isn’t punishing people lacking degrees. There are plenty of airlines willing to look the other way. The airlines listed above generally do not in their off the street hiring processes.
If enlisted experience was deemed so valuable, why do career military still have to complete a degree before OCS and eventual pilot training? If anyone should know the value of a good soldier, it should be the Navy or Air Force, right? I personally think enlisted time should be a huge plus In our process. One who has served in this capacity has a healthy world view and probably treats non pilot coworkers with respect etc. I know many former enlisted who went on to earn degrees and ended up here. All well rounded great people that we were lucky to hire. That said, I do not believe the civilian world should somehow be deemed as less worthy of credentialed pilots. Get the degree or enjoy one of the many other opportunities available in the industry.