Originally Posted by rickair7777

I currently work in a medical field and possess an Associates of Applied Science degree. From what I've gathered, I could enroll myself into a university now and start working towards a degree in aviation, or I could just focus my time and money on completing my flight training first, and then get my degree down the road.

You could do it either way, especially since you have an AS degree. You'd just need to make sure you finish the degree quickly once you get to a regional, so you don't end up wasting time when you're otherwise competitive.



You will have no trouble getting a CFI or regional job without a degree. Same for many entry-level GA jobs.

But for the major airlines, your options will be limited. For the top tier majors, you will essentially not be getting hired (odds are less than 1% and those few folks need to have some pretty remarkable aviation credentials (or friends).

For some ULCC/LCC airlines you could probably get hired eventually but it would likely take longer and there's some risk. Since you're already halfway there might as well finish it.

Alternative is AA wholly-owned regionals... they will have a flow program to AA which does not require a degree. That will probably take longer and carries the risk that if something happens to the flow (it has in the past), you'd be stuck for the duration.