Why is college so important?
 

Quick question for you all to ponder. Why is a college degree in anything that may or may not pertain to aviation so important? How does this in anyway make me a better pilot? I spent 6 years in the military. I attended a top notch flight academy. Now I am told I have to go back to school at 27 years old if I want to make it in this business. Let me know what you think about this question.


47D

Well. . . it's a way of weeding the field down.

Nothing more, nothing less. Simple as that.

I suppose that a college degree is an indication of an individual's willingness and aptitude to learn new concepts and information.

A college degree from an accredited school validates a person's basic foundation of skills and ability to learn were screened by a board of review (the college admission process), exposed to a wide variety of issues and knowledge that most consider to be desireable in becoming a well-rounded member of society (the liberal arts portion of a college degree program), and successfully completed a demanding set of courses which led to higher learning and achieved a goal determined by an established body of scholars (the major portion of a degree program). If the person did that and still had time to participate in clubs or sports, then all the better to demonstrate the person's ability to manage time, participate in social activities and further their involvement in a society.

Requiring candidates to have a college degree makes the job of evaluating applicants a bit easier because someone else (a college) has validated all that stuff the personnel department would otherwise have to research, confirm and consider.

I know, I probably sound like your dad. Sorry.

Hey No worries!!! I am just trying to figure out why this is so important. I mean in this business I will as of right now only have 33 and 1/2 years left. With that being said should I take the time and get the degree. I think that it is probably in my best interests to fly for a company like Ram Air Freight and try an online program. Rather then take time off of flying and go to traditional school.

If nothing else, a college degree may serve as a backup plan in case aviation does not work out or if/when you decide you don't want to do it any longer. There are a zillion posts on this forum analyzing this precise question from every angle imaginable.

Another question I have guys. Is 135 freight experiance going to hinder any future hopes to fly 121 ops? My problem is I am short on multi time. There are a few companies out there that would hire me and I know who they are. Is it better to save the money and go with them for a year or buy the rest of the 75 hours that I need to make regional mins?

Ch-47
 

I am in the same boat as far as degrees go. i too was in the military as well and I am currently working on an online degree thru UTA in Texas. i am only doing this so that I can have that damn little piece of paper to say," Hay, look at me, I just spent a buttload more money to make other people besides myself happy!" I don't believe in the B.S. that it makes you a more rounded person. I for one can't remember crap half of the time from a class that i took last semester. But I guess that somewhere deep inside, down the road, I will be able to use that info i learned in Literature to help me solve a problem that might arise.

Anyhow, I guess that going thru life experiences yourself and learning how to fly, also being in the military means nothing to potential employers who will frown on you for not getting that Golden degree. Whatever, at least i have had the opportunity to look at hot women while I attended classes on campus. Sad thing is, it would have been cheaper to go to a strip club or hire an escort.

So, I would just get an online degree that way you can work on it during your down time and continue to work.

No, 135 experience will not hinder you in the future. It will actually benefit you, many times over.

135 flying can be demanding, coupled with an online degree program. . . may or may not be too much for you to handle. I'm only making this assumption based off of other peoples experience in the 135 freight dawg world. I'll be in the same shoes in a year or so. CFI/CFII/MEI, with no degree. . . working on one now, but doubtful I'll finish before next Fall. . . actually, I can guarentee that I won't finish it. Still figure another 4-5 years working towards a degree part time.

CH47-D/FE - were you a Chinook pilot (or is that just your s/n)?