College Educated Pilots vs Management

[pilotyip]

It is 90% because the college degree has become universal almost everyone has one. They have become the equal to a high school diploma in the 1940’s. The 90% is much in line with Kit’s published numbers. In the cargo and regional level, the number of degreed pilots goes down in the 70% range.

 

[SWAnnabee]

So AirInc is the source of these numbers?

 

[Ty Webb]

Why don't you quit playing with your sheepskin and do a little research, "Mr. Collegiality"?

 

[FR8mastr]

It seems to me at the regional level the pilots most willing to work for less or even pay for the privelage are the college graduates coming out of the academies. The guy that has been flying freight for years is generally not willing to work for free or pay for a job. But your average pilot factory graduate is. This is why they are "hiring" 300 hour pilots for these entry level jobs. These are the only pilots willing to work for those wages. So if the industy is "dumbing down" It is not because a small percentage of pilots dont have a degree.

 

[Draginass]

Irrelevant discussion. It's all about competition for the available, good well-paying jobs. A college education in itself is not the point. The point is that the college degree will get you into a better flying job earlier than otherwise. The sought after flying positions (majors, etc.) generally have a degree as a de-facto competitive requirement. As far as military training goes . . . companies know the quality of training as well as rigorous screening process prior.

Some of those without college degrees carp and put-down those with military and/or college degrees with irrelevant BS. But, it just doesn't matter. If you want to get hired by a competitive company, a college degree is almost essential and a military background is a plus-up.

 

[YGBSM]

Your first mistake is the misconception that an airline pilot is a "white collar" position. We are strictly LABOR brother.

Edit: ps , that was a quote told to me personaly by a NWA 400 pilot

Cool. How has arguing for less respect and less pay worked out for you so far?

 

[Ty Webb]

Some of those without college degrees carp and put-down those with military and/or college degrees with irrelevant BS. But, it just doesn't matter. If you want to get hired by a competitive company, a college degree is almost essential.

Maybe ten years ago . . . but right now, it's all about the time, the types, the contacts, the perseverence, and the luck. Look at who is hiring, and look at who they are hiring.

 

[PCL_128]

Does Airtran pay much attention to whether you have a degree or not?

 

[jafo20]

Although having a bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering doesn't directly affect your ability to fly an ILS, the ability to think critically in multiple dimensions does. Guys with degrees or substantial life experience tend to be more adaptive and flexible in the cockpit. Others tend to melt down when they need to do something that doesn't have a published checklist associated with it.

There's a lot to be said for the security of being able to pay your bills if your eyeballs or heart go bad, too.

 

[jafo20]

Someone said that 90% of the pilots in the majors have college degrees. Remember, this includes people who get degrees in aviation from flying universities. If you look at the numbers of pilots who have degrees outside of aviation (physics, microbiology, business, poli sci, etc.) those numbers drop precipitously.

 

[capt. megadeth]

There's a lot to be said for the security of being able to pay your bills if your eyeballs or heart go bad, too.

Agreed. I don't know why people don't get this concept....it seems like a no brainer to me.

Oh well, why should I care? I got my back up.

 

[jafo20]

When I was in college, I was really frustrated that I wasn't flying. Now, two years out, I'm in about the same spot I'd have been in if I'd never gone. So, I've come out by getting the degree.

As for quality of pilot, I'd say people who push hard to get something done have similar mentalities. People who are born into money have entirely different mind-sets.

The guys I meet who worked their ass off at the University of STATE, climbing enlisted ranks to go to O school or moving back home with mom and dad to scrape up enough dough for a multi-engine rating all tend to be decent sticks. More importantly, they usually have some integrity.

People who are the sons/daughters of admirals, have mom and dad send 'em to ERAU with a Porsche or pencil-whip their time tend to be **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**ty sticks. More importantly, their lack of integrity can be seen before you even talk to 'em.

I'm getting preachy. Somebody throw a rock at me.

 

[SWAnnabee]

Why don't you quit playing with your sheepskin and do a little research, "Mr. Collegiality"?

College Educated Pilots vs Management. The premise of this topic was to post opinions on whether or not the recent trends to make a college education optional in the application process could be interpreted as a desire by most airline management teams to create a pilot group less capable of dealing toe-to-toe with airline management, especially concerning contractual issues. So, while I quit "playing with my sheepskin", why don't you wipe my man-spackle out of your eyes enough to read more carefully, Mr. Jackassity.

 

[Ty Webb]

Your point was refuted in almost every way imaginable, and with multiple examples given. No one agreed with your premise. . . . except you.

Common sense says that it is wrong . . . . pilots who did not go to college presumably have more industry experience, not less, and are probably more familiar with the nuances of contracts, scheduling, rigs, "Soft Time", and the like . . .

Speaking of "Soft time" . . . . I hear most of your time is soft time . . . at least, that's what you wife told me.

 

[Ty Webb]

Does Airtran pay much attention to whether you have a degree or not?

From what I have seen, it is not part of the pre-screening process. What weight an individual interviewer puts on it, I couldn't tell you.

I think if you get the interview, and are reasonably articulate, it's probably not an issue.