Do you have a college degree?
 

While this is obviously not a scientific poll, I thought it would be interesting to get some data on current regional pilots and whether or not they have college educations. As the major airlines continue to hire in the years ahead, it'll be interesting to see how a degree affects the competitive hiring minimums....

Oops, answered before I read the question. Post-grad education but no longer at a regional (may be some correlation there).

I am finishing up my degree however I feel it is largely ceremonial. I honestly don’t feel the hiring numbers will be at the level they need if their continued pickiness stays as it is now.

By and large this is a glorified tradesmen job, one that requires hands on skill and on the job experience. A finance degree doesn’t make me a better pilot.

Before anyone gets their undies in a bunch, I am not bashing those that have it, I am working towards it as well, rather I am pointing out that everything you learned about how to fly an airplane you learned outside of a college degree.

Technically, I'm not a regional pilot yet since I'm still waiting for a class date (Dec or Jan), but I finished my bachelor's degree last week.

I would be curious how many of the 1/3 responding who don’t have a 4 year degree have been at the regionals for a while already. There has to be a bit of a buildup at the regional level from guys it moving on because of it. So far based on this poll I don’t see any reason for the highest paying majors to back off the requirement.

It is certainly the norm to have one, especially with the rise in aviation programs and colleges.

Why no option for GED?

I think every airline still has a hard requirement for HS/GED, so that's a given.

I don’t think anyone disagrees with you. Having a degree in business definitely didn’t make me a better pilot. Neither will doing volunteer work, but the majors like to see that too!

Going to college teaches you how to study, shows you can finish something, and makes you a more well rounded person.

I think the idea for the majors is that most all of us are good pilots. Plenty good enough to get the job done once the flight deck door is closed. All they need to know is in your PRIA from that standpoint. They are selective because they are concerned with how we behave when the cockpit door is open. Those who are largely unsuccessful in getting to the next level are those who do not understand or appreciate that fact.