After 10 years at a regional and now at a major, without question there is a difference between those that have and those that do not have a degree for the most part. (Just an opinion) but the degree shows commitment and the desire to stick with something because it is hard. It took me 6 years for a 4 year degree at SJSU working full time college and flying. It is just what it took.

The barrier to entry to be a military pilot is greater than to be a commercial pilot (ie. civillian background) on the entry level. As a career progresses I believe the civilian military difference is moot in most cases. But lets look at the facts. Minimum time, minimum regulation standards, and airlines that don't expect anything over minimum requirements and only train to them because it is the carrot for minimally qualified pilots to get entry level positions at minimum pay. Management always says after an accident we train to FAA standards yet in a majority of cases it was minimal judgment that a crew was faced with (again, not all but lets be honest). I believe a lot of pilots work very hard to get the first entry level position, but many stop at that point kick their feet up, ***** about being paid to learn something new, because the company requires it. Look at how many pilots study the minimum 6% of total aeronautical knowledge required for the p.c. check because again we test minimum standards and cram for even that. Again not everyone but I am sure we have all seen that or have been guilty of that.

Does a degree mean you should be paid more? In the outside world it is true in flying it is not. Maybe it should be. Besides, do whatever it takes because flying is never going to be and end all job. The degree is much more than a pig skin, it says a lot about the individual.....

I am not writing to flame anyone, I have no personal knowledge of anyone on here that does not have a 4 year degree. I just have an opinion and I am happy to be at an airline that uses that criteria and grills applicants about their educational background, it just makes for a better educated and committed workforce.