Originally Posted by aerospacepilot

That is great. It is good to see someone who values an education.


I wish their was another pilot in your family too, because I know exactly what he would say. He would say finish your 4 year college degree at a normal school. Why would he say anything different than what most everyone on this board is saying. He would know that you have no chance of getting hired by a major airline without a college degree. He would know an online degree is not the same as actually going to college. He would know that the regionals will still be hiring in several years. He would be saying the exact same thing your dad is saying. Any smart pilot would say STAY IN COLLEGE!!

Listen, I understand your urge to be flying for an airline yesterday. Everyone wants to. But the smart majority know what is best for themselves and their future career. That is going to college. I am glad you understand the value of an education. But you get so much more out of going to an actual university than just an education. A lot of time, it is not just what you know, it is WHO you know. In college, you will network more than at any other time in your lifetime. You simply won't get that getting an online degree. And you are right about the social life. Never again in your life will you get the chance to have as much fun as you will in college.

Let me add a few other things too.
1. College WILL NOT take 5 more years if you actually focus. College is designed to be finished in 4 years (so 3.5 more to go for you). And I can tell you the regionals will still need pilots in 3.5 years.

2. Is there a flying club at your school? If not, you should start one. I guarantee there are atleast a few pilots at your school. Get to know them. Go flying together. Split some time. Go on flyouts. Bring some girls along. Have fun with it.
Joining a flying club at my university was such a great move. See my profile picture... that is me flying a full motion 747-400 simulator for a few hours from the captain's seat. I learned about these simulators when I went on a public tour of United's DENTK with my university flying club.

3. Get your CFI ratings and flight instruct while in college, or over the summers. This is a good time to be a CFI. There is a slight shortage, and pay is going up. You could teach some flying club members how to fly. Then when you graduate, you will have plenty of experience to go to any regional airline. Honestly, NO regional airline will pick you up at 260/whatever and NO college. But if you go to college and instruct a little for the next 3.5 years, you will be able to go to any regional airline with your experience and a 4 year degree.


Finally, let me leave you with this thought. Every day or so, some newbie comes on these forums, says he is not in college, and asks if he should skip college to "get ahead." And everyone gets the same answer... They get told that skipping college is only going to put you behind. Then some ask about online degrees, and they all get told the same thing.... College is about more than just the degree. It is a combination of education, networking, extra cirricular activities, social life, and the overall experience. You will not get this by getting an online degree. Honestly, an online degree shows that you are not just lazy and actually somewhat value education. But an online degree is not as good as a regular 4 year college degree. That is most everyone's opinion.
You are lucky. You understand the value of an education, and that is huge. Also, you have someone close to you (your Dad) giving you good advice. Stay in college. You will not be getting ahead by going to an airline today. You will be getting yourself behind.
Listen to your dad.
Listen to the smart pilots on this board (especially Rickair and boilerpilot on this thread).
STAY IN COLLEGE.

Good luck with your decision. Let us know if you have any more questions and let us know what you decide.