How to be competitive?
12-16-2025 | 11:31 PM
#11
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 250
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When I interviewed in 2017, the four year degree (if you had one) was only accepted as a "4 year degree) if the institution was named on their list of "accredited universities". I never looked at the list as I was confident it was (large state school). May be something to look into and see if that is something they still use or not. May be good knowledge to have before you start pursuing a degree.
12-17-2025 | 06:02 AM
#12
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CRJ Driver
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 7
Likes: 2
From: CRJ FO
When I interviewed in 2017, the four year degree (if you had one) was only accepted as a "4 year degree) if the institution was named on their list of "accredited universities". I never looked at the list as I was confident it was (large state school). May be something to look into and see if that is something they still use or not. May be good knowledge to have before you start pursuing a degree.
01-12-2026 | 03:34 AM
#16
On Reserve
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 28
Likes: 6
It’s a points-based system — once you earn enough points, you’re selected for an interview. A bachelor’s degree is heavily weighted, so it takes a significant amount of leadership and flight experience to offset not having one. Yes, you can get hired without a degree, but traditionally it required thousands of hours of TPIC and some additional qualifications, such as check airman, chief pilot, or similar roles, to make up for the absence of a degree.
If you’re serious about Southwest, I’d recommend working on the degree. In addition to receiving credit for your FAA certificates and taking classes at a local community college, you can also test out of many credits through CLEP and DANTES exams. Schools like Thomas Edison and Excelsior College don’t have residency requirements, so you can transfer in as much credit as possible.
If you’re serious about Southwest, I’d recommend working on the degree. In addition to receiving credit for your FAA certificates and taking classes at a local community college, you can also test out of many credits through CLEP and DANTES exams. Schools like Thomas Edison and Excelsior College don’t have residency requirements, so you can transfer in as much credit as possible.
01-12-2026 | 05:46 AM
#17
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,109
Likes: 34
Not true. I work with recruitment , the degree is not an easy descriminator anymore , recruiters understand there is people who could not or can not afford both flight school and college. The degree thing is not an issue anymore anywhere. Its all about TPIC and leadership experience.
01-12-2026 | 10:32 AM
#19
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,559
Likes: 125
From: Left
Not true. I work with recruitment , the degree is not an easy descriminator anymore , recruiters understand there is people who could not or can not afford both flight school and college. The degree thing is not an issue anymore anywhere. Its all about TPIC and leadership experience.
I am throwing the. BS. FLAG.
I am not sure working with recruitment qualifies you as to how they pick candidates . The CPs are not sure of the formula, no way that you know .
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