Work as an engineer, make lots of money, buy plane.

SkyHigh

"I understand that airlines require a degree but is my degree in MechEng ganna help me?"

Anything above a Bachelors degree is unnecessary as far as the airlines go. Knock yourself out, though, if that's what you want to do. The type of major is not important.

"Is being a minority a hindrance, an opportunity or will not affect me at all in this industry?"

Well, I think there was a time and place where it was an opportunity. Anymore, I don't think so. At the same time, not a hinderance at all.

awww i see.. thanks for feedbacks

Working on a graduate degree while doing flight training could be done but your flight training would progress more slowly, which may not be a big deal. You would be pretty well loaded up with work.

A technical degree will give you a slight advantage as it is more challenging than a non-technical degree and better prepares you for airline training.

A masters degree will give you a hiring advantage at a major airline.

It is common for airline pilots to have other jobs, usually somrething with a flexible schedule, ie software, real estate, consulting, construction contracting, military reserve, etc.

It would never be a hinderance in the airline world unless you are talking about small private operators in the deep south, and even that would be somewhat unlikely. It is likely that you would get some affirmative action preference, but probably not as much as being black, hispanic, or any variety of female (if you are a female asian, you will find it very easy to get airline jobs!).

this is interesting... i wonder how this thread will turn-out.

I visited every school in Phoenix, and Tucson and decided not to go to any of them.
Here is a dose of reality, it doesn't matter what kind of aircraft you fly during training. Multi time is important of course, but in an interview. It won't matter if you fly C172 or Cirrus. I am doing my training at a nice small school in Kansas for about 1/2 the price of most places. I get one on one training, no problems getting flight time, and its a flexible program.
Just something to think about before you go dropping upwards of $40,000 on your initial training.

I see, I havnt looked for a flight training school yet but ill keep that in mind deserdog71