Education on Apps
 

Looking for some advice as I'm not really getting any traction on apps and wondering if it's this specific item...

I'm middle aged, joined the military out of HS, married and a family immediately there after. I've plugged away here and there at a degree, I have over 160 credits, but nothing that equals a Bachelors. All that said, I have transcripts from over 6 different colleges. I have each listed on AirlineApps. I'm a couple semesters away from finishing my degree right now, but wondering if all the education but "No Degree" is tripping the HR computer to pass on on me? Pilot wise I'm just like anyone. RJ captain / 0 checkride failures / etc. Should I just list my current school with the "In Progress" degree?

Thanks in advance.

It’s looking like 2022 will be the year a college degree may not hold people back. AA, DL and UA running classes weekly and they’re big too. Everyone else hiring briskly. The majors are going to burn through a decade of Grade A candidates in months. My personal bet is that 4 year degree is one of the first things they start ignoring.

Lack of a degree is going to be a huge roadblock, don't take it personally and it's probably nothing to do with you or your education other than not having the box checked.

If we're talking legacies, the few people who DO get hired without a degree are almost universally standouts in aviation, lot's of training, checking, types, and diverse experience.

If you're Joe RJ Guy with one maybe two types, you're going to need the degree. ULCC's might be more tolerant now, not exactly sure but they seem to like low-time FO's who have a degree but no TPIC.

ZeroTT might be right about the near future, but I'd honestly just knock it out online asap... your future seniority's wasting away.

The advice above has long been true and probably will be true for most of our lives. The “knock it out” advice is always good.

BUT if for some reason it’s impossible or will take two years… a window might be opening. Definitely take a career lcc if they call

Finish your degree, it’ll make life easier. Took me 13 years and a 2.7GPA to get mine, but there was no way I was getting hired at a legacy without it. That’s even with a “stand out” job at my regional.

United wont be the first to hire without a degree IF that even becomes a thing. There are still people coming up behind you with degrees that are hungry for the job. Places like Thomas Edison allow you to transfer all but two required classes (that you can take online) for a bachelors. They also give credit for pilots licenses. I have no idea how it is possible but I know people at delta with degrees from there. Get your transcripts and talk to a counselor who will know which degrees have the most wiggle room.

sooo you’re saying that dummies from Thomas Edison have a chance?!? Sorry to burst your bubble a piece of paper from college doesn’t speak much to one’s ability to fly an airplane. Maybe just maybe it’s more impressive to see someone work and go to school at the same time.

"A piece of paper from college" does however speak very highly of your ability to get called for an interview by a top-tier airline.

They use other metrics to determine whether or not you can fly (your previous experience, cog tests, and ultimately whether you pass their new-hire training).

It’s an antiquated system that I have a feeling will be going the way of the dodo. The new AA skills test is what I believe to be the first step in that direction.

There are other ways to determine if someone is a good fit or not without having to default to a degree as the sole (main) way of getting past the gate keeper.

Could be. But right now there just aren't that many grade A candidates who DON'T have a degree... it's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, anybody who's really motivated about success in 121 got a degree early on because (if for no other reason) they knew it was required.

If they eliminate the degree requirement but still maintain their "whole person" standards it's going to take some time for that to percolate before they start seeing high quality individuals who skip the degree and go right into flying. And culturally that's an issue because many of the motivated, accomplished people they're after don't WANT to skip college.

I agree that AWA DBA AA is most likely to lead the charge on that.