How much weight does a Bachelors carry with a regional? If they have a 500/50 guy with a bachelors and a guy with 850/50 with a H.S. degree which would they rather have? I realize there are more factors but how much, if any, does it make a difference?

 

i'd say it depends on how depserate the regionals are, currently, they'd hire you both, if things get really scarce again, or very competitive, then the college degree will definately give an up on equally qualified candidates. You're example replaces on qualification with another and because of that isn't as black and white.

 

A degree doesn't make a pilot. If your qualified, and interview well then you will probably get the job. If you have any other life/work/military experience that would demonstrate your ability see something through to completion that also is a positive attribute. In my opinion, I believe a 20 something yr. old would have a harder time without a degree than an older candidate thats 30 yrs. old and over with more experience and maturity. And if the majors are your goal, even though some of the carriers say a degree is not required, it is VERY much prefered. Many majors it is required as well as FEDEX and UPS. I can say I know many pilots flying for regionals that don't have degrees and they are excellent pilots. Final thought, a degree is obviously a great addition to your resume, but if you dont have one, by no means should you feel like your not qualified to fly for a regional. If you have the flight time requirements and feel ready for the training then go for it, you have nothing to lose and you'll most likely succeed. Good luck!

 

Normally they would hire the college guy first, but right now they would hire both.

A year of night cargo and an extra 800 hours of 135 ME would usually make up for lack of a degree at the regional level. At the majors, having an dad/uncle who is a regional CP or VP will make up for lack of a degree.

 

It's very true that a degree doesn't have much to do with flying an airplane on a day-to-day basis. It is desired for several reasons:

At the entry-level (regional) it shows that you can complete school. One of the main concerns at this hiring level is spending money on someone who will flunk out.

At the major level all candidates have demonstrated that they can complete turbine aircaft training, so the degree is used mainly to thin the herd. Also majors have a very military tradition, and all of those guys are educated, so it's an issue with you fitting into their culture. It's the old question: "Do I want to fly with this guy for a month?" Translation: "Do I want to talk to this guy for hours on end every day for a month; do we have common interests?"