TheFly

So it's required if you don't work for a WO or flow through...got it.

TheFly

100 Top Entrepreneurs Who Succeeded Without A College Degree

Hacker15e

Again, all of this is irrelevant to the specific discussion.

The gatekeepers at the career-destination airlines want a 4-year degree (regardless of if they label it "required" or "preferred").

There's no evidence that is going to change for anyone who is currently at the regionals/LCCs/ACMI/etc, has the other minimum qualifications, and is waiting for an interview invite.

For people who aren't working at the regionals yet, and have 3-4 years until they even meet the minimum quals at the career airlines, maybe the requirements will change and maybe they won't.

A degree is still a way to make yourself more competitive among a group of other competitive applicants, even if the "requirement" changes.

Boeing Aviator

No degree, got hired by Continental in 1987 at 21 years old. I was an onomily in that I was unique and had transport category 121 jet FO time (F-28 the first RJ) since I was 19. Also passed my ATP at 20 (letter from FAA saying I could pick of my ATP on 23rd birthday). So at 21, I had 3300 total,1000 jet and 1000 turbine. At the time very few civilian pilots had transport category 121 jet airline time.

I got hired two months before I would have graduated had I not left college in my sophomore year to go to work for a regional or commuter as they were called back then. I told my parents I would leave the regional job in a year after I logged a 1000 hours turbine and go back to finish my degree. Well six months into the job I was offered FO on that shinny new F-28 jet. The going back to college to finish my degree plan ended up in the toilet.

Out of my 29 years at Continental/United I've been in left seat for 17 years and I'm currently in the 15th percentile of our seniority list and I'm projected to retire number 13 at United in 14 1/2 years.

Additionally, I left Comtinental twice early in my career to work for different airlines through a company offered leave of absebce program and was very fortunate to keep my original seniority number with no adjustments.

All of the above said my two cents on this topic:

My absolute biggest regret of my adult life has been not finishing my four year degree! I can't tell you how much I agonized and sweated it out during my 20's, 30's and 40's that if Continental went out of business (and we almost did more times then I care to count) how disadvantaged I be to get a comparable job. Also worried about if I ever lost medical what would I do.

Yes I could have finished my degree, I tried through Riddle's independent study program, but I lacked the motivation to finish as life got in the way.

Hind sight being 20/20 I actually faired most likely far better then If I stayed in college. If I graduated in 87 most likely I wouldn't have been competitive flight time wise into the early to mid 90's during a down cycle in the industry.

I guess I can say at 50, I've finally worked my way over the hump as I'm on the back side of my career and where I stand today career wise. Even if I lose my medical, I'll make enough through LTD and retirement savings to live reasonably good quality of life from here forward.

Having said all of the above the absolute biggest regret I have in my career was not finishing my degree. If I could go back in time and change my decision and not left school and finished my degree, I would do that in a NY second.

I'm a senior captain at United and I'm not even competitive to interview today for a new hire pilot position at my own company.

I beat the odds but just by pure luck and it easily could have gone the other way. My advice to those contemplating no degree that is that's an extremely poor choice. Get a degree that you can use if you lose your medical or you lose your career through the ups and downs of this very unstable cyclical industry or at least a degree that will qualify you for a Masters in something that will give you an alternative career path.


Good luck to all!

iFlyRC

Money is not everything, this would be a horrible choice for myself.

comrcap

Well said. That was my point all along.

135Pilot

Being at SkyWest myself, I've flown those overnight trips and that's accurate along with our growth. We're still getting E175s every month. Chicago and San Fran are junior for E175, Chicago and Minnie are junior for CRJ.

Grumpyaviator

It's also required for the pathway at ual. I stopped looking for reasons not to finish school and finally did, with a 4.0; while working two jobs, commuting, raising a family and staying involved in volunteer work at the job, in the community and church, including my family as able.

For all of you who still refuse to be as competitive as possible to get a better job, thanks, it's less competition.