Exactly. I knew in grade school what was required and what paths would get me where I wanted to be. Tough decisions would have to be made. Had to say “no” to situations that looked fun at the time but would have put the career in jeopardy. Plenty of people took out student loans etc to go to college after high school or did ROTC etc in college and came up through the military ranks. As has been pointed out in this thread already; there are flying jobs, even at some airlines; where the four year college degree barrier is nonexistent. If United or Delta are your goals, meet the qualifications instead of insist they make an exception for you.