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Having a degree will NOT make you a Better pilot or Make you more qualified BUT! Having obtained a degree puts you in the ballpark for a manager's profession and Being an ATP at a major or a Regional is about as much as Managing as it is flying. Having a Degree makes one more well rounded in the Overall scheme. My degree is in Aviation Maintenence Management. When I flew, my degree meant little except that I knew a little more about aircraft systems than some other guys. Now that I can no longer fly My degree is of an immense proportion because it IS my livelyhood, It didn't Make me a better Pilot but I Understand things Of Piloting to a FAR greater degree than I would Having Never Been a Pilot and I can explain things TO a pilot to a greatere degree. Though In truth I sometimes DO speak with pilots who's degrees appear to be a "plaque on the wall" as they seem to have very little sense of Expertise in what they're doing Or how they relate to those who assist them.. In dispatch OR Mantenence. Truth be told, a degree in Aviation isn't a Bad idea either.
But Who can you sell THAT Idea TO?!?! The 1500TT proposal is going to see a "Hard row to Hoe". . Especially from Airline Management, the ATA, Or the RAA because THEN they'd have to PAY you..
(GASP!) "get the rope! we gotta string this Owlhoot up on general principles of management!! Pay for education?? Next they'll want to Integrate TOO!!