Well I disagree with the experience thing with respect to engineering because ALL my friends who graduated with an aerospace degree, who want a job in that industry, currently have one. Sure, some of us did some internships, but some people I know had no experience. To use your example, I have a friend Katherine working on the dreamliner at Boeing, and she probably makes more than I do!

But, there is really no reference to that in my above post. All I said (what you quoted) was that you absolutely should get a 4 year degree.
Two reasons:
1. You NEED one to get hired by a good major airline. PERIOD!
2. You better have a backup if you are going into a volatile industry like aviation.

Other reasons include...oh, I don't know...
It will be the best time of your life
Looks better than HS degree on ANY resume
You will learn more there than you ever will anywhere else

There are some other good ones, but I think you get my point.
If you are young, and you want to fly for a living (and make decent money), you should get a 4 year college degree.