Degree? Or no Degree?
 

I am finishing sixth form soon and for the last few years, I have also known I want to go straight to pilot school.

However recently I have been in contact with 2 pilots. The one who has a degree says he does not think it is necessary and that he has flown with many captains who do not obtain a degree. However the pilot I spoke to (who was a more senior pilot) without a degree stated that having no degree to back him up if he fails his medical 'keeps him up at night'

Currently, I am very unsure if I should go to university or not, would anybody help me out and state their opinion.

What country are you planning on living and flying in?

The UK and around Europe.

A great question.

I was recently hired by a major airline without a degree. Personally, I’m pleased that I spent my money on things like furthering my career, buying a house, and having a little fun, rather than on a degree which I highly doubt would have earned me a higher salary thus far. On the contrary, because of the experience I’ve gained, because I WASNT busy with college, my earnings thus far are probably higher than they would have been, had I attended college. My airline had no issue with me not having a degree.

If you are someone that is not terribly confident with yourself and your abilities, then I would say degree is beneficial. If however, you are sure of yourself and your abilities, a degree is more optional. Someone who is willing to work hard will always make a great living, with or without a degree.

How about splitting the baby, is a two year ‘associates’ type degree an option? That way you could add more in the future if the need arose.

In the US, a requirement at the Big 4 plus FDX and UPS. Outside the US, pretty much optional, but nice to have.

GF

You were hired by a non-US major, correct?

Foreign airlines place far more weight on high-school performance and vo-tech training than here in the US. The degree is typically not necessary in the majority of foreign countries, if you have the requisite professional training and experience.

Perfectly legitimate for overseas. But here in the US I'm personally pleased that I got a degree, without which I would not have gotten a legacy airline job where I could drive to work from my home near all of my family roots.

There is truth to this. You will be totally shut out for some jobs, but there are a wide variety of opportunities available to someone with initiative and work ethic (and with a little vision you can always make your own). But the majority of young people who want white-collar employment in the US, including airlines, are better served by going to college. I was doing roofing as a teenager, I could have taken over the company eventually and almost certainly been a multi-millionaire by age 30. But I had a lot more fun and fulfillment doing other things instead.

Aside from all the good advice mentioned in the above posts, it is imperative to realize the value of a college degree in your life outside of work as well. College will expose you to a lot of diverse knowledge and valuable experiences that you otherwise may not pick up on your own. In short, it makes a person well-rounded and is in my opinion well worth the money and personal energy invested regardless of professional outcome. Never regretted it and is something I would recommend to everyone. As far as this job goes - if it does not help you, it will not hurt your chances either. You will not lose anything by going to college. Good luck in your decision.