Bachelors for ATP
 

First post here, so hello everyone!
I'm Quinn, I am 20, and I currently work at an FBO at KRFD
I started my job about 10 months ago now and it has really sparked my interest in aviation! I have my 3rd class medical scheduled for next week and I am trying to pursue flying as a career. I am seeing that in order to fly for a regional airline I am going to need my ATP, which requires a bachelors degree. I wanted to know if anyone had any input on whether or not it could be an online degree or not. I am currently considering an online degree in Music Production through Full Sail University online, it says that it can be completed in as little as 20 months and that is quite appealing. With my job I have the opportunity to make small talk with tons of pilots and I was having a conversation yesterday with a corporate pilot talking about my plan and he told me to get my ATP as soon as I could, and that "the degree could be in basket weaving, it really doesn't matter as long as you have it"

An ATP does not require a degree.

Airlines generally want a degree, yes, an online degree is fine. No, they don't care what it is in.

Anyone convincing you to get something really fast probably wants your money. Work your way through your certificates and ratings, even if it takes 5 years, it's far better than starting off in a bunch of debt.

Also, you don’t need a degree to fly for the regionals. Eventually, you will probably want to get a bachelor degree to be competitive for the majors.

Nobody offers a degree in basket weaving.
 

The degree is generally called a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Textiles.

I meant majors but I appreciate the input

I was just going based off of what their website said
"Whether you're a play-by-ear musician with a passion to compose, or an active songwriter ready to market your work, Full Sail's Music Production bachelor of science degree program provides the tools and knowledge you'll need to pursue your dream."

I am going to be flying with a local flying club to accumulate hours as opposed to a flight school for now, thanks!

I have a buddy who flies jets with a theather degree and another with a music degree... you’ll be fine.

My advice is use StraighterLine and WGU. Knock out a bachelors for a couple thousand bucks in as little time as possible. Spend the savings on a cheap airplane. Exchange hours on the plane for dual if you can find a CFI that’s interested. The less debt the better, this industry turns on a dime.

My son is in the same boat
 

I'm a mom of a future pilot and we just finished researching an economical plan for my son to get there. He is 20 in Sept. and is making the following choice: community college for first 2 years (very cheap, just finished his first year there and is living at home) and transferring for 2 years to finish online at a university (we're in FL and there are several universities like UCF or UF with good online Bachelor's; he is going for History). The total for all 4 years will be about $20K plus books. Since we are saving $ going this route (no room/board), we are going to pay for pilot training at our local airport flight school, about the most economical path we could find. It will take about a year of training (3-4 days a week), plus 1-2 years working CFI hours to meet requirements (our estimate). So he will get his Bachelor's in 3 years, about the same time as he will earn his hours needed for a Regional job. I have a friend whose son goes to Full Sail. Pros: an online degree in 29 mo. Cons: not regionally accredited so credits don't usually transfer to another school if you don't finish, plus very pricey ($50K+ right?). My advice, since you have a job, would be find the lowest online Bachelor's degree you can get (WGU might work like someone suggested, I am not familiar with it) and pay cash for it or get Financial Aid if you can. Save your borrowing power for loans for flight training, unless you have parents paying for it.