Contrary to that "popular" belief, getting into an Academy or a full ROTC scholarship is not so flippantly easy as you make it.

I don't pretend to know how that would be scored, but if you have zero type ratings, I believe it would be helpful to demonstrate your ability to train and succeed as a jet PIC. Based on other comments, perhaps there are some guys out there that aren't aware WN has forgone the B-737 type requirement for a number of years. Even if Delta perceived that credential as a precursor to targeting Southwest as a career choice, so what? I think airlines love to poach from each other's talent pool. I did not read back to see if you gave a snapshot of your quals earlier in the thread, but I'd say if your are a regional captain with a type on your certificate, or a military AC, the 737 rating might not be worth the time and money. I got they type 26 years ago with Southwest as my goal and I was stuck in the right seat of a Saab 340. After getting a turboprop type rating also, the 737 type got me an interview and offer at WN, and I think it may have been a factor in getting me "in" at NW/DL. Certainly nobody seemed to view it in a negative light during the interview, and it could have been a big plus.

If you'd like to have the type in order to go on the international contract market or fly BBJs later in life, keep in mind you have high odds of getting a 737 type once on the property at Delta. I put off buying a house to fund my type, but eventually I did purchase a home as a regional F/O. I was unsure of the investment wisdom for many years. But looking back and recognizing that it may have sealed a deal for me and now allows me to do some fun side work, I have zero regrets.

You're not wrong. I agree, it's not easy to do either of those things. I also can't imagine trying to work during school to pay for tuition and rent; sounds grueling, but people do it. It's not impossible.

Besides, if you're competitive enough in ROTC to garner a pilot slot, you're almost certainly eligible for a scholarship; if not before you enroll, then certainly after your first year or two. AND, if you have the sort of grit required to sustain yourself and get decent grades, again, you're probably highly competitive for a scholarship.

I'll concede that ebbs and flows... but in today's climate, I think that correlation largely holds true. I can't speak to the Academy; doubt I was smart enough to get in.

Well cbreezy, since you seem to have a reading comprehension problem ,or are intententionally butchering what I wrote....I also said ...OR WHAT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS DID.

I had an ROTC scholarship....my son went to the academy. IF , I hadn't had rotc, I had saved enough to do it on my own. My other kid, non pilot, had a scholarship. You could join a guard outfit...enlisted...and then get in.
The diff between whiners( not to be confused with winners) and doers is results( I crack myself up). That you defend the whiners, pigeon holes you in my book. Are you out protesting ICE and calling for it's abolishment, cause it seems your head is in the clouds(not a bad place to be if you are a pilot)?

For god's sake...just quit the whining and do what 18,000 (who have an app in at Delta)others have done or just quit and give up....Delta will NOT have any trouble finding highly qualified pilots. So many in fact that they have shut down classes. And to think, only 3 years ago I heard ....delta can never keep up. If you look at the retirements in the future, Delta has mitigated any bump. After approx 2025 the retirements avg 250-350 per year out to 2050

My prediction ....NO classes until Jan of 2019. Why? Cause in the busiest months, summer, they are 500 over and. No need to ramp up till the python has shat out the hog that it devoured....another six months....they have a very slow digestive process

Delta won't even have to acquiesce on the 4 year degree or pay for hotels in initial training. EXTREMELY highly qualified pilots are cutting off their left gonad to get hired by Ma' Delta(not quite sure what the females are doing)

Most of this is tongue in cheek, but I would be disingenuous if I didn't admit to believing the basic premise

I’m gonna raise you and say no hiring til March or April.

What on Earth are you talking about? The answer to "I can't afford college" isn't "well get an ROTC scholarship or go to an Academy." Simply speaking, one, it isn't that easy to get either and two not everyone is capable of joining the military. The military also shouldn't be the only answer if you can't afford college.

Other than that, the rest of your post was full of incoherent nonsense.

While there are certainly exceptions, by and large with the average price of tuition, the working your way through school isn't nearly as doable as it was 20 years ago. Plus, aside from a part time gig for spending money, a student in college should spend the majority of his efforts studying, not struggling to stay afloat. Otherwise they are going to struggle to complete their studies in a reasonable time with a satisfactory GPA.

The average kid in college spends more time partying than anything else. Go your first two years to a JC, work part time. Apply for all the non loan aide you can get. Transfer to a 4 year state school. Take two night classes a week and two day classes. Make up the extra classes in summer school and between semester classes. Again apply for all aide available. Plenty of time to work part time or even full time and graduate in 4 years with no debt.

How the hell did you get to protesting ICE in this rant?

Because entitled snowflake, millenial, #metoo, triggered!!! Going back to my safe space.