efvaughn

Is it worth getting my bachelor's degree if I plan on going to the airlines? I know most majors require it or prefer it, but I'm not sure if it's worth the investment. If the pilot shortage gets bad enough, I don't think the airlines will still be so picky. Thoughts?

DontLookDown

Every airline wants to hire the same pilot:
-At least a few thousand Turbine multi part 121 experience
-Good safety record
-No criminal history
-No medical issues
-Bachelors degree
-Good recommendations from peers
*Military time can enable some to skip the few thousand hours of part 121

People talk about a shortage because it’s looking like soon there might be more open jobs then there are pilots who fit the description I just posted

I wouldn’t count on catching a break. It’s still worth making yourself the ideal candidate

rickair7777

The hiring looks good, and one might think that they'll significantly lighten up on requirements which don't directly relate to operational flight experience. I even tend to suspect that.

But it's probably not worth betting the career on it.

If anything bad happens to the economy or the industry, you'll be hosed without a degree.

Best case, you'll STILL get hired after they run out of degree-holding candidates... that's going to be months or more likely years of lost seniority.

If you want to place a "safer" bet, that flight experience will carry more weight, go get the ratings and a regional job and THEN work on the degree on-line. Just make darn sure you'll have the personal bandwidth to finish it in a timely manner... don't want to be a 3K TPIC regional CA with only 20 credits. If you don't have a family, you should be able to find the time.

That's all assuming you're shooting for top-tier majors (where all the retirements happen to be). If you're cool with second/third tier it won't matter as much because those airlines probably will have to hire anybody they can get their hands on.

sourdough44

Where are you now? Age, hours, training, education level??

You can do more than one thing at a time, plus one never knows what the future holds. You may need to do something besides piloting for an assortment of reasons.

Just don’t be sitting around waiting for life to happen, MAKE it happen.

efvaughn

I'm a 22 year old female pilot. I just got my commercial rating, I have 2 associates degrees and i'm enrolled in classes through Embry-Riddle Worldwide online. I'm just wondering if it's worth spending the money to finish when i've already got my associates degrees. I went to TSTC Waco for my training so I have the R-ATP as well from the 141 program

sourdough44

I would get the hours then get on with an ‘express’ level carrier. The usual way to get hours is instructing. As able, finish up with an online program, towards a 4-yr degree. That 4 yr degree is for down the road, not needed right now.

In 4+ or so years it can all come together as you apply to a ‘Major’.

Mind the peripherals, training record, checkride history, driving record & medical, etc...

You’re well on your way.

tnkrdrvr

Short version: yes, finish your 4 year degree. It will cost far less than the lost income at a top tier company while waiting for them to drop their standards. You can finish while working at a regional and have a solid application in to UPS, FEDEX and the cattle haulers by the time you are 25-27.

Long version: In theory being female may make your application more attractive despite lacking a degree. However, most female pilots I’ve talked to don’t have rosy stories to tell of HR falling over themselves to hire more women. Bust your butt to build a great resume, including 4 year degree, and you should be able to land your dream job years before you hit 30.

GogglesPisano

Maybe I won't need a degree to get a job with a premer airline someday. Maybe someday it won't be required. Maybe, just maybe.

SMH.

rickair7777

Get the 4-year, shoot for NLT when you're starting to be competitive for top majors.

The consequences of not having it range from delayed career progression to getting stuck permanently somewhere below the top tier.

GogglesPisano

*Premier.

(Beat the spelling police to it)