Originally Posted by
Lighteningspeed
Hey I lke your Avatar but I disagree with most of what you are saying.
Many of us don't know what we want to do and going to college is a way to find out what we want to do. And getting a degree in Math, Aviation, English, Physics, Biology, Mechanical Engineering, Pre-Med, Astronomy, or whatever is never a waste of time AND they contribute directly to your basic foundation as a well rounded pilot. A good pilot, whether military or civilian needs to have a good solid educational foundation. Without it, you are just a technician.
In today's part 121 flying, you need to be more than just a technician. You need the ability to decipher mounds of FARs, Company contracts, Union contracts, keep up with new aviation technology, front line diplomat who can converse with domestic and international passengers from all over the world on all topics, among other things.
A 4 year degree requirement is a step in the right direction and a college degree does not have to be in Aviation to make you a better pilot. Otherwise the military would only select candidates with Aviation degree, and as we all know that most certainly NOT the case. If anything opposite is true. Military do not like candidates to come in with a lot of preconceived notion of what flying should be.
Fair enough...
Any greater level of education can potentially be of benefit to an individual and their goals and is in some cases certainly required. But the bottom line of ones measured success is perseverance of ambition and skill.
I still do not see how ultimately a basic 4 year degree requirement can improve the conditions, and pay of the US airline industry
...(And at the risk of sounding arrogant) that's just the simple thoughts of someone coming from a long and strong background of higher education.
The terrible issue of low pay plaguing the US industry is far too deep rooted and far spread to suggest a prerequisite of any 4 year degree will and can solve. I mean, pull your heads out of the box and have a look around...
...I'm not talking about Southwest (lol), or Delta gentlemen. Have a good look at the requirements of the highest paying pilot jobs around the world...Maybe the industry here could learn a thing or two.
Most of the highest payed pilots I know do
not have four year degrees...and nor was it required. Some do, but most don't...And the ones that DO, will be the first to admit that they could have easily done with out it...
...sounds to me, that there maybe a little jealousy here?...that those with the degrees are having a little bit of a harder time finding those illusive "diamond" gigs, while somehow the degree-less have quietly gone on successfully unearthing.
Anyways, I'm not here to argue...and in my opinion there have been many valid points presented on both sides of the issue. But the idea of bringing in a mandatory degree requirement is far too broad to suggest that it is a possible solution, or that it could even be a contributing factor to correct the despicable conditions that plague this particular industry.
Let me ask you this:
Since Compass has introduced the degree requirement, have the starting pay scales been increased?
Anyways, back to living the dream...
The best to all of you, whatever side of the fence you may sit on regarding this issue.
Cheers,
ATR
