Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Major > American
4 Year Degree Affecting Pay >

4 Year Degree Affecting Pay

Notices

4 Year Degree Affecting Pay

Old 09-04-2017, 07:16 AM
  #1  
On Reserve
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Position: Part 61 student
Posts: 20
Lightbulb 4 Year Degree Affecting Pay

I have heard that for some major airlines that if you have a 4 year degree pay is drastically better, I am wondering if this is true because for the flow through program, a degree is not required. But if the pay is a lot better, of course I would get it.
HoldenRavi is offline  
Old 09-04-2017, 07:26 AM
  #2  
Child of the Magenta
 
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Position: 737
Posts: 387
Default

What an odd question. Once you are a pilot at an airline, there is no difference in what you are paid based on having a degree.

That being said, I would highly encourage you to obtain a 4 year degree. Even if you got it online while flying, it will open other avenues outside of the narrow path to a flow through.
LuckyNow is offline  
Old 09-04-2017, 08:46 AM
  #3  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: A-320
Posts: 1,122
Default

If you come through the flow thru program a degree is not required. If you do not come through the flow thru it is highly unlikely you will get an interview without a degree. It is also highly unlikely to get an interview at the top tier airlines without one either. Having the degree or not makes no difference in pay though.
viper548 is offline  
Old 09-04-2017, 10:15 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Jun 2017
Posts: 962
Default

I'm always amazed at how little some pilots know about the industry.
itsmytime is offline  
Old 09-04-2017, 12:41 PM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
PRS Guitars's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Dec 2013
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 2,295
Default

Originally Posted by itsmytime View Post
I'm always amazed at how little some pilots know about the industry.
He's a 19 year old kid...still learning. He's probably been told that people with a degree earn more over a lifetime, and took it literally instead of in the aggregate.
PRS Guitars is offline  
Old 09-04-2017, 01:01 PM
  #6  
You scratched my anchor
 
Al Czervik's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2011
Posts: 4,872
Default

The pay is the same for all pilots. I understand pilots with degrees are processed last while on reserve and in RO. So that's a nice benefit of having your degree.
Al Czervik is offline  
Old 09-04-2017, 04:53 PM
  #7  
Gets Everyday Off
 
TransWorld's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Aug 2016
Position: Relaxed
Posts: 6,880
Default

In one way you are correct. The doorways to get hired by a major without a 4 year college degree are very narrow. The old saying is your odds are between Slim and None, and Slim just left town. Realistically few pilots get hired by the majors without a 4 year college degree.

Get a 4 year college degree, pass the tests, and get the experience and you likely will get hired by a major. All pilots at a major get paid the same for the identical years, aircraft, and seat.

The average 4 year college degree pilots make a lot more than those without. Why? Because they get hired by the majors, and those without generally don't. Those without work for non-majors instead and thus get paid much less.

Go get your 4 year college degree. It doesn't have to be in rocket science (although you will find some pilots with an engineering degree), just get it in something, from an accredited university (i.e. not a diploma mill).

Last edited by TransWorld; 09-04-2017 at 05:32 PM.
TransWorld is offline  
Old 09-05-2017, 06:05 AM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Posts: 19,221
Default

Keep in mind that flows are only as good as the next contract.
sailingfun is offline  
Old 09-08-2017, 07:09 AM
  #9  
Unfaithfully yours, Hank
 
MarineGrunt's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: All
Posts: 222
Default

Originally Posted by itsmytime View Post
I'm always amazed at how little some pilots know about the industry.
Both helpful AND classy.... nice job! 👍
MarineGrunt is offline  
Old 09-08-2017, 05:10 PM
  #10  
On Reserve
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Aug 2017
Position: Part 61 student
Posts: 20
Default

Originally Posted by TransWorld View Post
In one way you are correct. The doorways to get hired by a major without a 4 year college degree are very narrow. The old saying is your odds are between Slim and None, and Slim just left town. Realistically few pilots get hired by the majors without a 4 year college degree.

Get a 4 year college degree, pass the tests, and get the experience and you likely will get hired by a major. All pilots at a major get paid the same for the identical years, aircraft, and seat.

The average 4 year college degree pilots make a lot more than those without. Why? Because they get hired by the majors, and those without generally don't. Those without work for non-majors instead and thus get paid much less.

Go get your 4 year college degree. It doesn't have to be in rocket science (although you will find some pilots with an engineering degree), just get it in something, from an accredited university (i.e. not a diploma mill).
Thank you for the information
HoldenRavi is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
deltajuliet
Mesa Airlines
137
12-29-2021 02:14 PM
Albief15
FedEx
161
10-02-2015 03:11 PM
Wang Bin
Hiring News
0
09-04-2014 10:50 PM
labbats
Allegiant
243
06-25-2014 05:50 PM
nwa757
American
447
01-30-2013 03:00 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices