Systemized

As hiring is going on among several regional’s, is just an associate’s degree (from an aviation school), along with meeting the companies minimums going to be competitive enough? I have noticed that most regionals do not require any degree, but prefer a 4-year. Also I am aware that compass for example does require the 4-year.
For someone that intends to spend their whole career at a regional, and has an associate’s degree, is it worth the time and money to get a bachelors degree if that person is already qualified?
Most importantly, do companies such as SkyWest and Horizon have enough qualified applicants that they generally just hire the guys with bachelor degrees?
Just curious, among new hires at the regional’s recently, what would one say the percentage of guys with a bachelor’s degree is? Are college GPA’s and transcripts looked into in depth and scrutinized at all during the interview process. Would two failed check rides also put a damper in ones career aspirations with a regional?
Just looking for some words of wisdoms, any kind of insight on the matter helps.

TonyWilliams

Yes, until it gets hard to fill seats with young, cheap labor.

rickair7777

Bad plan. The airline industry is facing some possible dramatic changes in the future...whether you are an optimist or pessimist it looks bad for regionals: a real pilot shortage or high oil prices will be catastrophic for regionals either way.

You might get lucky but if it all comes apart, you will not want to spend 2-3 years finishing your degree while any opportunities are passing you by. Resumes without a 4-year degree are the first ones to get tossed when the supply is saturated.


Not absolutely, but your odds will be better at places like mesa, colgan, great lakes, etc. If the pilot supply is low, regionals don't care about degrees.

I would guess 80% at SKW, but that could change if a shortage develops.

Regionals don't usually look too hard at GPA's unless that particular interviewer has a quirk about it. But if it's notably bad you will get asked, and the key will be how you explain yourself...don't make excuses or blame the professors, etc. The only possible excuse might be working two jobs while taking care of sick mother and going to school...and girlfriend just had triplets.

That's not good right now. In the post-colgan environment you will probably need stellar qualifications, including a 4 year and good grades. Maybe they will forget about colgan in a few years, or maybe a pilot shortage will cause some selective amnesia sooner.