College Requirement
 

For any of you pilots out there, what is the actual requirement of education to be hired at a major airline? I'm a 4 year university dropout and I'm currently almost ready to graduate with an AA degree at a city college. Total 3 years of college exprience. I know that a 2-year degree will be O.K with the regionals and I heared from a pilot I know that majors do hire pilots with no BS degree. Is this generaly true? What about smaller major airlines?

Degree
 

College degree requirements fluctuate with the hiring environment. However even during the best of times it is rare to see someone with less than a 4 year degree get hired at the majors even though it does occasionally happen. When things get tight it is even difficult to tempt a regional without a four year degree. Those who are successful without the sheep skin are usually outstanding in their experience or contacts. Simply reaching the left seat of a kingair will not suffice in most situations.

SkyHigh

SkyHigh is absolutely correct. Not impossible - just not probable. Very few get called for the interview without a four year degree. Good Luck!

Finish college. You'll never regret it. And when you start sending out resumes and letters asking about jobs use spell checker or make sure that someone proof reads them.

Too many pilots that have their 4 year degree. Guess who interviewers will consider first?

Get that degree. History has shown that a "back up plan" is a good thing to have in this crazy industry, even if you are fortunate enough to get hired. :)

I know I guy that works for AA, he is a fairly senior Capt on 767. He got hired in the 80's right out of being a CFI and he has a high school diploma. Thats all. So there are a few.

Back-up plans
 

That's good advice. Besides industry turmoil, there are other things that could happen--like flunking a physical some day. I suggest getting a four-year degree AND flying for the Guard or Reserves, if possible. Then you have some real options. Good luck!

Finish that four year degree! You can never be over educated. As a number of individuals in this thread have stated it’s in your best interest. God forbid, one day you don’t make it through your medical, you have a bad day during your flight check, or the airline goes bust. What are you going to do then? Hedge your bet with a degree in another field other than aviation. Don’t be afraid to diversify your career aims. Trust me you won’t regret it.

Is the vision requirement for the guard / AF reserves still 20/70 uncorrected, 20 /20 corrected?