I am new here, and not trying to get flamed, but I don't see how having a four year degree is going to make you a better or safer pilot. I understand the thought process behind it, that it will eliminate a lot of people who should not be in an airliner to begin with. But the way I look at this, I am sure there are a lot of doctors that should never have made it to practicing medicine. However, they have a "diploma" and certificates that say they can. You should look at someone's overall "big picture" of their life. Do they have an attitude of a professional? What about their life experiences? I don't have a four year degree, but I have taken almost 3 years of classes towards my BS degree. I do plan on completing my degree when I am financially able, as I no longer go into debt for anything (look up Dave Ramsey!) I have a good work history in a highly stressful job as a 911 communicator as well as a police officer. I also worked for an American Class I railroad as a conductor. This job included being on call 7 days a week, 365 days a year (and yes we were union, but that is a totally different subject). I am not a SJS kid that had mommy and daddy pay for my flight training, in fact I am in my early 30s. In order for me to complete my flight traning required a lot of sacrifice of my wife and child as well as myself. I do have all my instructor ratings (CFI-II-MEI), but no instructing job. I haven't touched an airplane in over a year. This has not been by my choice, but taking care of my family comes first. I am a low time pilot. Do I feel I "deserve" an airline job? NO! However, I do feel an airline should be able to talk to me and let someone from their human resources and captain review board decide if I am worthy of employment, not the Federal Government. I had every intention of instructing to build hours, but that hasn't worked out for me. I am not in a position to be able to move all over the country just to take an instructing job. I have a desk job that pays the bills and supports my family. I guess my questions to you guys/gals is since I'm a low time guy (and at the present no way to improve this), without a 4 year degree, should I be classified with everyone else and never get the chance to make my living from an airline job? Does the fact that I do not have a 4 year degree and 1500 hrs make me an unsafe pilot? Does it make me unprofessional?
I think not!