Degree required
#11
Banned
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
From: systems analyst
Get an “accredited” online degree. You will regret not having it. Big time. You will make millions at a major. Why not set yourself up for success? One economic bomb, and hiring will freeze and you’ll be screwed.
Terrible advice to not get a degree.
Terrible advice to not get a degree.
#12
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,931
Likes: 701
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
We are not yet to the point where you can sail into a major airline job without a degree.
I doubt we will ever get to the point where the big six will consider those without a degree on a level playing field with those with a degree. They might get to a point where they have to hire you, but you'll need a batter package and more experience than the typical pilot (who has a degree).
It would be very premature to skip the degree right now unless you're planning on third tier or regionals for life.
I doubt we will ever get to the point where the big six will consider those without a degree on a level playing field with those with a degree. They might get to a point where they have to hire you, but you'll need a batter package and more experience than the typical pilot (who has a degree).
It would be very premature to skip the degree right now unless you're planning on third tier or regionals for life.
#13
Disinterested Third Party
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,758
Likes: 74
It shouldn't.
You don't have flight training and experience in the industry, but are already trying to talk yourself into the path of least resistance, telling yourself what you want to hear. Listen to what's being said.
Get your flight training as seems you fit, but you can still do a four year degree online, as is the growing trend.
Focus.
You don't have flight training and experience in the industry, but are already trying to talk yourself into the path of least resistance, telling yourself what you want to hear. Listen to what's being said.
Get your flight training as seems you fit, but you can still do a four year degree online, as is the growing trend.
Focus.
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,419
Likes: 120
From: Window seat
Start flying. Get the degree online. No shortcuts to success.
American Airline’s wholly owned regionals don’t require a degree and currently have a guaranteed progression to AA. With a degree you’d have more options and might get hired somewhere else first. Getting hired a month or two sooner would pay for the degree.
American Airline’s wholly owned regionals don’t require a degree and currently have a guaranteed progression to AA. With a degree you’d have more options and might get hired somewhere else first. Getting hired a month or two sooner would pay for the degree.
#15
I’ve been in aviation for 50 years, thru hiring booms and busts, and the degree requirement for the best jobs, airline and corporate, has never seriously been changed. It was a requirement for “legacies” (the only type then) in the last desparatd “pilot shortage” in the 60s. Don’t believe all the hoorah about “this time is different”, either. Every prior boom at the peak had the same chorus.
Yes, a vanishingly small number get hired at the Big 6 without one, but everyone probably has a story you can’t duplicate. The AA WO flow is the only guaranteed track now. Why limit your options by not having the degree?
GF
Yes, a vanishingly small number get hired at the Big 6 without one, but everyone probably has a story you can’t duplicate. The AA WO flow is the only guaranteed track now. Why limit your options by not having the degree?
GF
#16
:-)
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 0
There are still thousands and thousands of regional pilots with degrees looking to move on. You are directly competing with them. The only people without degrees, were special case, and/or they worked at a carrier that merged into a legacy.
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: A320
You’re just starting out so just go to a American wholly owned and flow. Better off doing that than getting into debt to buy a degree. There are so many peeps who have the degree and yet they don’t get called. Why would you be any different? But there are some people who get hired without TPIC nor a degree. So I’ll stick to my advice to not get a degree.
#18
You’re just starting out so just go to a American wholly owned and flow. Better off doing that than getting into debt to buy a degree. There are so many peeps who have the degree and yet they don’t get called. Why would you be any different? But there are some people who get hired without TPIC nor a degree. So I’ll stick to my advice to not get a degree.
Seems kind of Darwinian karma to me.
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: A320
Yep. About 4% of those hired at the big six got there without a degree or TPIC. If you think it's a wise move to compete for only 4% of the major slots rather than 100% of them, go for it. If that's the sort of judgement you show, you deserve the kind of results you are going to get.
Seems kind of Darwinian karma to me.
Seems kind of Darwinian karma to me.
#20
Prime Minister/Moderator

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,931
Likes: 701
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
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