Is a masters degree worth it?
 

Hi All,

In the quest to move from the regionals to the majors, do people feel a masters degree is a worthwhile endeavor? Is this something the majors look at, or take in to consideration?

Thanks

I think that it is a moot point. Do it to make yourself more marketable in the non-aviation world. I have a MBA and it meant nothing to the airlines but I have something to fall back on. My thoughts only. Education never hurts you.

A couple of thoughts. Higher education can never hurt. For you personally, it exposes you to field(s) of study that might prove useful if your aviation career flops -- whatever those reasons might be. Also, it shows the airlines during your interview that you have the dedication to earn an advanced degree, and that you have the smarts to keep that degree in your back pocket for future use in case you're out of a flying job.

I realize your question pertains to the majors, but when I interviewed for the regional where I was hired, one of the check airman asked me if my MBA meant that I was going to be bored stiff sitting on my butt as an FO. I guess he thought maybe I was a bit too cerebral. I told him that I wanted his job someday and that I'd like to spend some time in the president's office to watch the airline's business model in action.

SWA asked, so I guess they cared. I'm assuming it was a positive thing to them (that I have a Masters that is), but who knows how much they actually weigh it.

Guess you have to ask yourself what else you would do with the time & money and do your own cost/benefit analysis. I was lucky, USAF paid for mine, and turns out I actually used it to pay the bills in between flying gigs once upon a time.

To echo others: Education is a good thing.

Outside the flying world an MBA is commonly worth $15-25k/yr over just a Bachelors degree.

Spongebob

A masters degree will be meaningless in qualifying for, or getting an interview. In the interview, that degree may provide for a topic of conversation, but in and of itself will not do anything regarding the hiring decision.

That is not to say that getting the MBA is not worthwhile...it is...but don't do it to get that job at a major...do it for career insurance...you may need it.

What floydbird and Flybynuts said.....
If have the Nortonious option, go for it.
HR doesn't score any extra on getting an interview for a masters. Good conversation once at interview, but realize that the ones doing the interview most likely don't have one. Be humble.

I would have to disagree with the first statement. If you have two candidates with more or less the same qualifications, backgrounds, etc., then the masters degree may be the one thing that puts you ahead or sets you apart from the other candidate. Higher education shows discipline and focus, something the airlines love. DAL, until recently, preferred military pilots. Why? Because of the perception that the military produces well trained, quality pilots, vs a civilian pilot who received training in a small Cessna. In the military however, a masters degree was pretty much required in order to be promoted to major (04), unless your dad was a general or POW.......... But, with that in mind, if the airline had two military applicants, both with outstanding qualifications, who do you think would get the job? The one with the masters or the one without? Education never hurt anyone, and in the case of landing an airline job, it can only help. I don't think I've ever seen anyone from HR, or on a pilot hiring panel say not to hire a candidate because he was "over educated"..........;)

You can never spend too much time in school, or in the gym.

When I had more than enough experience for the majors, I was not getting any interviews (when airlines were hiring 1000 pilots a year). I got my Masters to help and check another box on the application, since ALL the other boxes were already checked. I am sure that my master's did nothing to help me get on with a major. I spent money I didn't have and the degree did nothing to make me any money. :rolleyes: