An aviation (science) degree uses "college revenue producing" time to teach you things you will never use as a commercial pilot. As a college degree, it shows you have the ability to learn and can see a project through to completion. As for being a pilot, more could have been accomplished in a properly structured one year pilot training course .

I doubt any Aviation college four year degree / CMEL program teaches more about aviation then a one year AF or Navy pilot training program. A similar civilian one year program could be established. Unfortunately the 90 day wonder programs prevail right now.

 

I would dispute that point as justification for lower wages. Modern jets DO have increased automation for increased safety (at least that's what the human factors engineers tell us). The automation does take the pilots out of the loop for most stick and rudder flying, although the automation allows better outcome in emergency's by reducing the risk of task saturation.

It's incumbent on all pilots to keep their skills sharp through whatever means needed, after all that's why we get paid the big bucks. Once pilots accept the role of a costumed button pusher (aka children of the magenta line), I would agree that bargaining power is lost.

So to get back on topic, if airlines are interested in balancing the risk of putting low time, low experience pilots in the cockpit of jets AND have adiquate margins of safety maybe an Ab Initio training program is the answer. Offering to pay off student loans in exchange for x number of years of service doesn't address the problem.

 

Earned a college degree and got all the way up through my CFII, with only a 4k loan to pay back. It's all how you work the system!

 

Unfortunately I'd have to agree. Two friends, one an accountant and the other in the medical field both had their Masters paid for by their employers. My airline will reimburse a whopping $2000. I'm sure however they realize I'm not continuing my education to stick around here.

 

Helping newbies in the industry pay off student loans is a common concept in medicine and the law. The multimillion dollar organization, of which I am a board member, offers to partially defray these loans for new law graduates who accept a job with us. Historically, people did not want to do this type of law, so we have had to think of incentives to attract the best and the brightest. This is just one way. Jobs in legal aid never did and still do not pay well, but we have to do what is necessary to keep ourselves staffed with competent and passionate people. And by the way, we do not ask that in exchange for help with loans that the person work for us for x number of years. Life is what it is and everyone has needs and priorities that change over time.

I can imagine a similar program to work for the airlines. Management could be persuaded if a net "lower cost" for them can be demonstrated, or even just plain efficiency and efficacy.

 

Its called signing your life away tom Uncle Sam and it works fine.

SkyHigh

 

i guess we should never make our kids mow the lawn, do their own laundry, or make em do their english homework because that's not going to help them become a ______________ . <-- insert career here.

 

Hahaha.....I love how people always call it "signing your life away." In the time I was enlisted, while going to college, I never missed more than 2 weeks of school at a time. Unless you count a summer trip to the sandy region of the world. I had friends who never went TDY with our unit and got out after six years. They did the required 1 weekend a month and did their two weeks in the summer at our base. They also got up to their MEI with around 5k debt and are enjoying the financial freedom required to work for poverty level wages their first few years at a regionals.

I would hardly call it signing your life away. I have done some great things and partied all over the world in my short time in the military. Your right spending a few days on the beach in south Spain is pretty rough to handle. Or the dreaded two weeks spent in Vegas! If forgot to mention that every trip I ever went on (besides basic/tech school) were all voluntary. Not one of our trips were mandatory, that is why you join the AIR guard and not he Army!

At any rate it's a small price to pay to end college with no debt. I'm not saying it's for everyone but it sure would help with that starting pay at regionals.

 

Joining the military was a great way to go. I am not being critical but pointing out the secret to your success. Others have chosen the same route and ended up places they did not want to be. Sounds like it worked out for you.

Skyhigh

 

Please elaborate.

SkyHigh