so the general census is that it's best to wait for a good amount of hours + college degree before trying to get on with a regional. well, it's so tempting right now with all the lower minimums, would it be stupid to hold out longer instead of taking advantage of the hiring boom right now? and just take online courses or something?

 

You never know when the boom will end. Depending on how you look at this, it can be good or bad.

My take, for what it's worth. Get a degree. I don't think it would be very easy to complete an online degree while on the low end of the seniority list. Instrucing while your complete a degree is going to give you tons of options upon graduation. You'll have more hours so you'll be more competative, and you'll have more options. Choose the regional you want to work at for a while, not the one that will take you first.

What happens when you don't have that degree, and you're ready to move up to the majors? Most require a 4 year.

Barring something catastrophic, this boom isn't going anywhere anytime soon. The shortage at the regional level is only going to get worse as the majors start hiring more. You may help yourself in the short term by getting in now and getting seniority. However, your career will have no upward mobility if you elect not to and you have the other requirements met.

 

Well, it depends. I don't think anyone will tell you that seniority is not important... it is. What is more important is your degree. If you can juggle airline flying with online classes and are committed to finishing college, I do not see a problem with it. It would be tough taking regular classes at school while flying though, especially on reserve.

Do what you think is right for you and what you think you can handle. I see no problem going to the regionals while finishing up your degree online as long as you are committed to finishing. The last 6 months of my degree were done online, you wont have a problem finding time to do the work if you have one or more days off a week.

 

I took a couple of classes online. They can be really tough. Ask other friends who have taken the course before you before signing up. Some classes are so darn easy that I think they would be fun to do while on reserve Ah, sign in....read a little...Copy paste.....sign out.... sigh in....read a little...copy paste....sign out... That was for aviation history. Wouldn't do that for a serious or core course. Also, don't major in anything aviation related. Just get a minor or AS in it if you want.

What are your hours? That is what really dictates weather you should apply or not. Degree doesn't really matter right now.

 

Wow, can we start a sticky forum and call it "Should I go to the regionals with 200TT and 20 ME." Not to be a jerk but everyday it is another post about someone with SJS that already knows what they want to do but asks what they should do. Then they get upset when people say to stay, instruct, and get a degree.

The sad part of the reality is that most pilots (loose use of the word) do not realize how much they do not know at 300 hours and how dangerous they are in a plane. Because they are naive of this they will not fully understand why they have no business at a regional.

Not trying to be a jerk, it is just the truth.