K.C. to Denver would be an easy commute for Frontier Airlines, fwiw. I think you could get on there w/o the degree but their contract unfortunately doesn't come close to a legacy's.

Cue the guys who say "it shows you can start something and finish it"

Or

"Everyone needs that time in college to grow"

The people who need it to grow up were clearly not raised the right way. Good luck Canuck.

The airlines don't view an online degree that you got when you were 40 the same as a brick and mortar university that you completed right out of high school. It isn't just checking a box anymore, they ask for transcripts. I'd save your time and money and try to get on somewhere that doesn't require it. The regionals have flows and the ULCC's can offer a decent QOL. United and American don't require it but you're fighting an uphill battle.

I would suggest some kind of corporate job in KC. No degree requirement and no commute. Get a side job at the FBO and smile a lot while you try and get an interview with a local company.

Either way KC is a great city and you're making a good decision to relocate where the wife wants. Best of luck to you.

Having a 4 year degree is also deemed competitive with foreign carriers such as Etihad and Emirates. Not sure about European and Chinese carriers. I believe that Cathay Pacific values it as well. The reason that it is so cherished by the U.S. legacies is because for every single pilot position available, there are twenty pilots (hyperbole on the 1 to 20, but the odds are certainly stacked against pilot applicants in the U.S.) vying for those slots. Remember it isn't only regional pilots competing for the legacies, but many military, part 135, LCC, ULCC and ACMI pilots too...not to mention pilots from foreign carriers who are returning to the U.S. to work for them.

You'd be competitive at Jetblue and being a Canuck may help you. They love diversity. Lots of guys there with no degree. 1st year pay sucks and no idea when our CBA will happen.

Apply to the carriers, the worst they can say is no...nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Guys with DUI's are getting hired with the big 3.
Follow Iceman advice, good luck!!

Accredited universities online give you transcripts. A 4 year degree is a 4 year degree. I'm at a Legacy with my online UVU degree.

Why would a major US airline that stands to pay you upwards of 300K per year hire a high school graduate.

Honestly I don't get how this is ever even a question people need to ask. You can't have it both ways; you can't say you deserve more money yet require less education.

Like it or not college is fully expected of any professional anywhere. It's the new high school.