United and Degrees
 

Currently researching 4 year degrees to complete but I hold a 2 year Associates degree in Aircraft Maintenance. How do they see the 2 year vs. 4 year degree? It will not take long to complete the 4 year degree since I am very close but was just curious. Hear a few different answers thus far but nothing concrete. I realize you are always better with a BA.

No comparison. Every new hire class is full of pilots with four year degrees.

(Yes, a handful do get hired without one but they are the exception that proves the rule.)

OK

Just talked with Reginal Captain who is on cusp of getting hired by either Delta of UAL. He reminded me of a couple of things the younger gen may have not heard.

1. Do not get any DUI, DWI or any arrest and conviction for substance abuse.
2. You must have a four year degree or a huge amount of leadership skill and history (that makes the candidate an old guy).

Basically he said that until they run out of candidates who don't fit these two consider yourself a Reginal Pilot as a career.

There's no short cuts these days.

DAL has hired a few this round.

It's possible , but unusual. Finish up the 4 year degree.

"DAL has hired a few this round."

What, no 4 year degree or a record of DUI/substance abuse?

I wasn't sure from your bolded quote.

Or maybe they had a "few" after they were hired?

;)

There have been some hired with DUI/DWI.

As well as some that had histories of being charged with intersting things that one could think would be a show stopper.

One wasn't a substance abuse, but a substance charge.

I was in your shoes and am now at UAL. Start your work TODAY regarding getting hired AND work on that degree. There is a lot of ground work involved getting your stuff up to speed.

DUIs aren't the show stopper they once were. depends on how long it's been and what the outcome was (deferred adjudication, diversion, wet and reckless, etc). The main issue is that you become a liability flying in to Canada (or your lack of ability to do so).

It seems substance arrests are a different issue. Almost every TSA and FBI background check red flags those, therefore the airlines are abiding by someone else's rules, rather than their own.

I recently had a jumpseater on board that was a long time (20+ year) Captain at a regional. He brought up the subject of not having a 4 year degree and said that he was "offended" by United's requirement.
Well...."offended" or not...those are the requirements and that's what it's going to take to get hired at the present time. There are plenty of well qualified applicants and not checking all of the boxes is not a fast track to employment here.

Definitely, get your 4 year degree.