Originally Posted by
Vernon Demerest
Really? When? The 1980s? When I was hired at CAL you absolutely had to. Heck, the COEX recruiters couldn’t hire pilots without bachelor’s degrees due to the flow through program. I’ve met several L-UAL pilots hired in the late 1990s without a degree. I was honestly surprised.
1987, but when I was hired at CAL 95% plus did have a four year degree or higher. Had a classmate leave for United in 1989/90, guess what he had no degree either.
Let’s get this thread back on track, in the past not having a 4 year degree at a major was rare. At a Legacy prior to the last 18/24 months less then 3% were hired without a degree.
Today. that’s not the case due to the largest unprecedented pilot shortage in the history of the industry. Where we are hiring en masse the least experienced pilots as a whole ever. Reason there is no one left.
That’s why I suggest to forgo a degree (at present) for a seniority number asap. Because more than likely this will massive hiring spree will not last forever. Based on the cyclical nature of this industry when the music stops all that counts is your seniority number. History has proven more than likely we will have downturns with furloughs and possibly black swan events with massive furloughs.