chrisreedrules

And in a few years who even knows if the degree check box will matter. With the 1500 hour rule and a possible "shortage" of pilots (which is highly debatable) many regionals may be so desperate that they don't really care too much about a degree. This is a time of great change in the industry, so no one knows for sure what will come of it.

And as far as an aviation career not being 40 years... You could lose your medical, get in trouble with the law, or any other number of things to make you an "unacceptable hire". Not to mention the likelihood of being furloughed a couple times and getting sick of the low pay coupled with no upward progression for a number of years. It isn't exactly easy if you have a family either. You might come home one day to find the kids hate you/don't care about you and the wife is bangin the mailman. It happens all too often in this line of work.

But remember, the airlines aren't the only flying jobs out there. There is corporate, charter, FAA, Ferry flying, flight-instruction, and a number of other things. And this profession has introduced me to some of the best people I've gotten to know throughout my life thus far. Where else can you be around other highly-motivated "go-getters" like in this career? But you should do a lot of research. There are a lot of variables and being a pilot is by no means an easy task.