Do you guys with degrees (especially from aviation universities) resent or are jealous of guys without degrees that make it the big show while you are stuck at the regionals?

 

My 4 years in college were the BEST 4 years of my life. I enjoyed every second of it. I learned more than I ever will for the rest of my life. I got a degree in Aerospace Engineering. I learned all about aircraft design, and I feel like a better pilot for knowing the mathematical principles behind the a/c I fly. I met hundreds and hundreds of people to network with. I have friends at Lockheed, Boeing, Raytheon, Cessna, Ball Aerosapce, Adam a/c (lots there), and even a few at NASA.

I have a backup option incase flying doesn't work out for me. What happens if you are laid off from your flying job, cynical?? Where will you go? What will you do?
Also, how are you gonna get a job at a major without a degree?? My goal is to become a major airline pilot. I have no desire flying at a regional for the rest of my life. I would not have chosen this career path. Most majors and many regionals require 4 year degrees because it shows you can make a commitment. It shows you took the time to do the most important step in life, become educated. Overall, it shows that you are probably a better and more well rounded person.

I know people with highschool degrees and 2 year AA degrees, and I know many of them are good and smart people. But EVERY SINGLE ONE of them wishes they had got a 4 year degree, and they encourage other young people to get 4 years degrees. It will open many doors for you. It will keep other doors from closing (like those at most major airlines). It will educate you. It will give you a backup incase you can no longer fly for a living. And most of all you will turn out a better and more rounded person.

 

I have more than one degree, none of them are in anything aviation related, and I did not get them for the purpose of getting an aviation job. So, no I don't care if you have one or not.

But if you are a major guy without a degree, odds are good that you didn't get hired in the last decade or so. Just because you had luck, timing, connections or all three doesn't mean much to all the young folks out there who want to further their careers. They still need to be told that lack of degree is a very bad thing in the long term for the vast majority of pilots.

 

Hate to say it, but it's true...all the crusty old SOB "My Way or the Highway" captains that I flew with were not the college type.

In fact one them almost flew us into hill because he was so busy yelling at me (newhire) while also trying to HAND FLY a non-precision approach, in IMC, in mountainous terrain, at night, to an uncontrolled field, in a JET!

 

Also, if you are over the age of say 50 and did not go to college you might have a good excuse...finances. Back in the day you had to have money or REALLY good grades to be able to swing it. Plenty of smart folks were not in that position. Rich boys went college, poor boys went to work...

Today college is extremely easy to get into and pay for (state schools) and most students can get grants, scholarships, etc. I don't have a lot of sympathy for anyone today who says he "can't afford it" when what he really means is that he makes good money doing construction and doesn't want to waste his leisure time on classes and studying. I know too many people who worked menial jobs AND went to school full time to have much sympathy for those unwilling to do both.

 

I don't have a degree but had some pretty good life experience. I was offered a job at both Mesa and Expressjet with 100 turbine 200 multi and 1100 total, something like that.

I recieved 7 offers to interview with all of the usual suspects but elected to only attend 3, got two offers.

 

The regional hiring situation is currently a pilot's market. Don't expect to have as much luck when you apply to the majors. Of course if you think you'll be happy at mesa for 25+ years it shouldn't be an issue...

 

If it's such a pilots market, then it's just F/O's switching regionals. There aren't leaving the regional ranks in any great number.

 

that's what I said...Regional hiring is a pilot's market. That means hiring INTO regionals. I was not saying that major airline hiring is a pilot's market lol

 

That's why they are switching regionals. They are coming to the realization that they are stuck at the regional level and are not going anywhere, so they are looking to get on with the better of the regionals, if there is such a thing.