Originally Posted by MikeB525
There could be some exceptions to that, such as if your degree is non-aviation, but closely involved with aviation. The perfect example is a meteorology degree, which I'm currently working on at Rutgers. Weather is a major part of flying, from sport pilot on up. In alot of ways, I use the stuff I learned in my meteo classes when I'm doing my weather planning. In general, a pilot with a meteorology degree is a great thing, as is a meteorologist who happens to have a pilots license. So if one gets furloughed they could take their meteorology degree and their years of real world piloting experience, and go into aviation meteorology, at a company like Meteorlogix, AccuWeather, etc. In general though, there are very very few degree fields that allow for that, and meteorology is a very difficult, math-intense major.
Not to burst your bubble, but that to is a tough back-up, Meteorlogix requires that its meterologists have "3-5 years operational forecasting experience," not sure if they would consider being a pilot as operational forecasting experience.
I think the idea here is to get a degree in something you like, doesn't matter what, but don't become too disillusioned about it being a good backup, this also applies to the non-aviation world, you won't get hired with a 5 year old degree and no expierence in the field. There are plenty of viable back-up jobs that require only a 4 year degree, and pay fairly well.
When looking at these degrees as back-ups, ask yourself "what do I have to offer that would look better than someone with 5 years expeirence, or someone with no expeirence but a brand new degree, and who is caught up with the industry?"
What you were taught for that degree has more than likely changed, and without actually being in the field, it is essentially out-dated knowledge. They would spend more money bringing you up to speed than they would with someone right out of college.