college degree

[Jmmccutc]

this is just a thought i've been toying with...in the "real word" what is prefered for prospective airline applicants...a 4 year BS, or a 2 year Associate? the reason i'm asking is i've debated on transfering to a cheaper flight school closer to home and all they offer is a 2 year, or should i stay and finish my 4 year degree at a higher cost?

thanks
jmmccutc

 

[Alchemy]

With the option of a 2 year degree with an aviation major or a 4 year with a non-aviation major, I'd take the 4 year. Most employers feel the same way as far as I know.

 

[bobbysamd]

Four-year degree

Despite some advice to the contrary, stay with your four-year degree program. The majors look for a four-year degree. A four-year degree is proof that you can complete an academic program. Moreove, the bulk of your competition will have four-year degrees, so it makes no sense to disadvantage yourself at the outset. A four-year degree from an accredited college will open doors to other vocations besides aviation. If you must choose only between a two-year aviation degree and a four-year non-aviation degree, I would choose the four-year. Why don't you investigate four-year aviation programs?

Good luck with your efforts.

 

[pilotyip]

Oh boy! what a great thread

A college degree has nothing to do with flying an airplane, do you want to be a pilot or school teacher? more to follow

 

[nosehair]

Let's rock!

Pilotyip, obviously you have "too much time on your hands", and I agree 100% with your statement, but surely(don't call me Shirley) you know EMPLOYERS use the dee-gree to filter out the chaff...

 

[banned username 2]

Get the 4 year degree... Don't even contemplate anything less...

 

[350DRIVER]

If you want to fly for a major some day in the far off future then you are going to need a four year degree, regionals, charter, 91, you can get away with not having one. In today's market however I do not think I would want to take many gambles on chancing your luck. The whole degree issue is nothing more than a variable in the equation of weeding out applicants but the case could just as easily be made for applicants that lack multi-engine turbine pic, 135 time, etc, etc. Even in a present day market of over saturation of qualified pilots the regionals continue to higher relatively "lower time" guys without a degree, without turbine time, etc, etc. A lot is also going to depend on how the market is when you finish your training. This is nothing more than a game and the more marketable that you make yourself then the better your chances are to be able to land that job. One thing that you have going for you is that the KSU aviation program has a few agreements with a "select" few regionals that will allow you to be hired at "reduced minimums" versus having to compete with guys coming from off the streets. I would weigh all of your options before you consider a transfer, you almost have the Commercial training completed so why leave now when you have come this far? If you were in your pvt/inst. semester then maybee contmeplate such a move but you are now coming down the home stretch..



I would seriously think about this long and hard..



3 5 0

 

[pilotyip]

Do not listen to 350

350 like Falcon Capt has a narrow view of the road to success in aviation. This following example in the model of success in
pursing a flying job. We just hired a 20 year old pilot, 1 year of on-line college credit completed, started working the ramp pumping gas in high school, got hired hauling cargo in SA-227 as an F/O, at 18, got promoted to 208 Capt at age 20, he has 1600 TT, 1100 MEL, 350 Turbine PIC, 1450 total turbine, he is starting as a DA-20 F/O at 33K per year, he will be a DA-20 Capt the day he turns 23, he feels he will have his degree completed by the time he is 25 or 26 years old. At that time he should have 5200 TT, 4700 MEL, 5050 Turbine, 3200 hours 121 time, 1200 121 Turbo Jet PIC. He will have his on-line BS degree in Aviation Management, and no debt. He will be interviewing with the 4 or 5 year traditional college graduate for his first airline job, The traditional 4 yr degree guy who has TT 1200 350 MEL 15 Turbine. Who is the more competitive? Bottom line if you want to be a pilot FLY!!!, do not waste your time on campus, do on line while building time.

 

[vclean]

There are valid points for either position. My advise is to have some other skill (degree or not) to fall back to if aviation doesn't work out. Remember, you are one medical away from a new career.

 

[350DRIVER]

Jmmccutc,

I think most on this board will tell you the same as I. It is quite obvious that yip is an older salt who has never flown for a major airline nor does he have any concept of what it takes to get hired at a "major". I surely would take his advice at face value and that ain't much. Yip, if I were you I would keep the day job as a DO or whatever that current title is for ya. If you are going 91 or 135 as a career then you are fine and can let it slide, I do agree with you on that one yip.

3 5 0

ps> you cannot a freight operator's hiring preferences with an airline, completely different ballgame. I am a tad surprised by your post but oh well I shall not loose much sleep over it.

pss> I do not agree with falconcapt on most issues so dunno where you came up with that comparison.

 

[CrewDawg]

You half way there why quit now?

 

[banned username 2]

pss> I do not agree with falconcapt on most issues so dunno where you came up with that comparison.

Yeah, I heard 350 doesn't even like BBQ!

Say it isn't so!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

nobody cares where or how you get your degree. Just get it (4yr).

Anything else with seriously limit you to lower end aviation jobs.

 

[de727ups]

Pilot YIP is recommending a degree

Now I've heard it all. He's still recommending a degree, just get it while you work, on-line. I think that's great.

I think, if you want to aim low, forget about the degree. You want to aim high, you'll need the degree.

A career at USA jet isn't aiming high in my book...but that's just me. No disrespect intended to anyone.

Pilot YIP, do you encourage your young new pilot to continue his education knowing that there is a good chance he'll move on one day if he does?

"got hired hauling cargo in SA-227 as an F/O, at 18"

Nice, was he doing the Amflight or KeyLime right seat program? If so, I'd hardly say he was "hired hauling cargo". Again, no disrespect intended and these programs aren't PFT in my book. But you could hardly say it's a real job at the same time.

 

[bobbysamd]

I can live with that . . .

Now I've heard it all. He's still recommending a degree, just get it while you work, on-line. I think that's great.

The bottom-line is to get the degree from an accredited school. If you have the discipline to keep up with on-line courses, great.

I submit that most people do not have that discipline. They need to earn it the traditional way, on-campus, and get it finished. But, once more, the important thing is to get a four-year college degree.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

I agree 100%

I have seen many people say "I will get the degree slowly"...

does not work 99% of the time. You get a "decent" job then quit the school b/c you are too busy with work, family...etc...

then that job dies and you are hurting w/out the dumb degree...

Just gotta play by the rules, and these days that resume is going in the can w/o a degree!

 

[flybrowntails]

Does a degree (BS, BA) make you a better pilot?? (thinking...)
No. Does it make you a more well rounded person?? (thinking...)
Maybe. Does it check another box??
Yes.
Don't limit yourself. Get the degree, have fun.

Just my opinion--I had a blast.

FBT