2 or 4 year degrees

[cougar6903]

I have to decide in the next few weeks if I should go to a 2 or 4 year college for a aero science degree. Just wanted to see what the folks in the 135 cargo biz have. My ultimate goal like many is a major airline, but I would be happy with a cargo company like UPS, FDX, DHL, ABX or Atlas to retire from. Should I go for the 4 year degree right away or get the 2 year one, get "established" then go to school for the 4 year degree?

 

[UPS Capt]

My ultimate goal like many is a major airline, but I would be happy with a cargo company like UPS, FDX,

News flash.....UPS and FedEX are major airlines. Without a 4 year degree..forget it.

 

[Flywrite]

I dont mean to bust on you, as your profile paints you as an FNG (as we all were once), but there are many, many "major airline" pilots who would also be very happy at UPS or FDX (actually these are both considered Major Airlines). These are two of the most sought after jobs in the industry, even before things went south.

As for the degree...go for the 4 year. I'm fininshing mine now, wishing I had earlier.

Good Luck!

 

[Flyingdutchman]

quote:
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''News flash.....UPS and FedEX are major airlines. Without a 4 year degree..forget it''

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UPS Capt,

Is that for sure?? Is there NO way to get hired without?

g'day

 

[Flyingdutchman]

And does anyone know what the minimum qualifications are to fly the 208 with fedex?


Thanks!

g'day

 

[UPS Capt]

Is that for sure?? Is there NO way to get hired without?

Yes, there is a small chance. You have about the same chance of getting hired by UPS or FedEx without a 4 year degree as you would at United, American or Delta without one.

The reality is that about 95% of ALL major airline pilots have a 4 year degree or higher. That means you have roughly a 5% chance of being hired without one. Those are terrible odds anytime and especially post 9/11.

You want to stack the odds in your favor? Get a 4 yr degree! Doesn't matter what accredited college you attend or what your major is in. What matters is that you can check that "4 yr degree" box on the airline's application. It's merely a weeding out process and a number's game.

Ask yourself why the airline should hire you without one when they can choose from thousands of other qualified applicants who have one"?

 

[Flyingdutchman]

Capt,

Indeed, and thanks for your answer..

g'day

 

[pilotyip]

4 years in college

A college degree has nothing to do with one's ability to fly an airplane, gray matter that thinks good does. JB does not require one, SWA does not require one, AirTran doesn't, Spirit doesn't, even FedEx will hire witihout a degree by givign the equivelent for life experience, one year turbine PIC ='s one year of college, completion of a military flight flight progarm equals two years of college. I have had pilots in class with 4 year degrees from major aviation university's very slow learners and failures in flight training, I have had a number of pilots with no college who were above average studnets and excellent line captain's. I would take an Army WO without degree over a 4 year degree any day.
You have to ask yourself when its comes to hiring are you better to be 23 years old with 300 hrs+ and a 4 year degree or have 2000 hours with maybe a 1000 turbin PIC becasue you started flying right out of High School. We have had a couple of these guys working for us they are now at passenger nationals flying Captain. No they probably won't get hired by a major, but how many will? Is Captain at AirTran a bottom feeder job, because it is not a "Major"?

 

[Trout]

My ultimate goal like many is a major airline, but I would be happy with a cargo company like UPS, FDX, DHL, to retire from.

I think he has it backwards, the ultimate goal is UPS, FDX, or DHL and if that falls through, then settle for a pax airline!

 

[mrvmo]

What all these guys are saying, if you can cut through all their Bull#%$t, is go ahead and get that 4 year degree. With competition the way it is right now you would be a lot better off. It would be real tough to get on at a major without one. Good luck with your decision.