Degree - "NOT REQUIRED"

[Mugs]

"Okay fine, so I may not know what it's like to get wasted at a Frat house and go streaking through the Quad."

Come off it. If that's what you think college is all about, well then maybe its a very good thing you didn't waste anybody's time by attending one.

Fight it all you want, but the bottom line is that a college degree helps one get along in life. Not having one doesn't make you a bad person, and none of this has any bearing on flying skills in general. I just don't see how it could hurt the profession to require that airline pilots earn a degree first.

Doctors, Lawyers, TEACHERS...they all must complete a degree. Why shouldn't we?

I agree with you Herman.

The Florida and Arizona pilot mills can pump out all the non-college high school graduates that the industry will ever need. Why would any airline manager ever pay a decent wage / benefit package to someone with this background? There will always be plenty more eager beavers in the pipeline and where else would they go anyway? Welcome to the world of the indentured servant. But at least you might get a shot at 15 minutes of fame if FlightSafety puts your picture in one of its magazine ads. College? Who needs it.

 

[SYXDude]

" Riddle me this BATMAN" - why do three out of the four military flight schools require a four year degree? Why do the Majority of the "Major Airlines" require or prefer, applicants with Four year degrees?

It's all about supply and demand, man!! The only reason airlines require a degree is to cut down the number of resumes they have to go through.

Ding, ding, ding...we have a winner!

Why should HR go through 20,000 resumes for a pilot position when they can go through maybe 5000 instead? By requiring a degree, it's a filter to weed out people HR arbitrarily deems unfit or unworthy.

Ever wonder why SWA doesn't require a degree? They figured out that sometimes the best pilot for the job doesn't necessarily have the degree. And last time I checked, SWA was one of THE places pilots want to get hired.

So, I guess all those pilots at SWA without a degree should resign now.

Later

 

[VABB]

I am not a big conspiracy guy, but--- I have noticed in the last 4-5 years at the so called "Regional Airlines" that the majority of the pilots being hired only have a two year degree or none at all? While I do not believe it takes a "Rocket Scientist" to fly these jets, I do prefer a college graduate at the controls. It gives the career and the profession a more respectable position, and the ability to demand a professional pay scale. I believe that the Airlines are actually looking at hiring the two year degree or no degree applicant to fly their jets. This will allow them credibitly with the NMB during negotiations to throw out - well only 25% of the pilots at XYZ airline have a 4 year degree. So we should look at non professional payscale - and turn this into, forever, a 60,000 a year job. Just a thought - KJ

All you need is a GED and a check for $10,000.00 and that should get you in the door.

 

[pilotyip]

SYXdude right on

Smart companies to do not let a piece of paper, that has nothing to do with flying an airplane, stand in the way of hiring the right pilot.

 

[lawfly]

Degree-Not Required

I have undergraduate and graduate degrees and my own bias is in favor of a degree "requirement". I am not currently in a flying job, however. I'm posting to comment on licensing requirements. Some have commented on doctors, lawyers, teachers, etc. Degrees are required for licensure in those professions. The general eligibility requirements for the ATP, 61.153, do not currently include any formal (high school or college) education. Didn't the ATP eligibility requirements once include "high school or its equivalent"? Again, my own personal bias is in favor of degrees, and back when I was accumulating ratings and hours, a four year degree was required or strongly preferred by the majors and others. I am simply reminding all that the FARs, which govern pilot certification, do not require any diplomas or degrees. Obviously, higher education for pilots is a matter of personal choice and industry mandate or lack thereof.

 

[Daveman]

Hey, what about those "college educated" pro athletes. You know, they can barely form a sentence when being interviewed. Double negatives and such. Ya naw whut I'm seyn'. Gee, just think, if they only had an ATP they could be airline pilots. Howz about those PA announcements.

 

[FN FAL]

I am just saying why someone would spend $100,000 when you can get same thing at some small university for $25,000. I spent 25 gs and there were guys in my class that had spent 100 gs. Same thing same place same time for 75 more?

I hear you Tooslow! Bargain shopping can go a long way towards making the experience of an aviation career less painful...especially if you have to make use of a non-aviation related education to make ends meet after a furlough, losing interest in the career or a loss of medical.


I have been reading all the posts here and it is an interesting topic of conversation. I too feel that a degree does not make a pilot a better pilot...in general. However, I do feel the degree makes for a better employee.


I had an non-aviation related associate degree from way back in the 80's and when I stared out in aviation in the early 90's, I knew the associate would help. I am working on finishing my bachelor degree on-line now and I am having quite a lot of fun with it. It is hard work, interesting and it makes you think. Education is a lot more challenging and very different from when I went to school back in the 80's. Completing team assignments has been most challenging and at first, I did not like them. Now I cannot wait to meet my on-line classmates and see what is going to happen next. It is a great experience working on a project with people from all over, of different backgrounds, ethnicity and age. You learn a lot from them, and it is hard to get a team project done, having never actually met the team.


I chose a non-aviation related degree because I felt that I would pursue what interested me with more enthusiasm and I also felt that if I chose to seek a higher job in aviation, the degree would just be more a of means to an end. I also chose a degree that was non-aviation related, because I wanted to have other options available to me.


The employers asking for degrees are looking to find persons who have a well-rounded life experience, a higher education and a record of accomplishment showing ability to learn...they know that the degree is no guarantee of piloting skills.


Good luck to all of you, whether you have a degree or not! I hope that if you choose to get yourself enrolled in a continuing education program, you will have the patience and opportunity to see it through.

 

[Daveman]

"I have been reading all the posts here and it is an interesting topic of conversation. I too feel that a degree does not make a pilot a better pilot...in general. However, I do feel the degree makes for a better employee."
Quote from FNL.

I feel it's the PERSON that makes the better employee rather than a degree.
I've seen the under educated slob work 10 min.s over 'cause he took a long lunch.
Then I've had the big-wig on board braggin' how he "handled" business, as long as he was on a "private Jet".
I know you know what I'm sayin'.

 

[Mugs]

Smart companies to do not let a piece of paper, that has nothing to do with fklying an airplane, stand in the way of hiring the right pilot.

Smart pilots would never let that piece of paper from the FAA be the basket in which they throw all of their eggs into.

 

[pilotyip]

Mugs?

Smart pilots would never let that piece of paper from the FAA be the basket in which they throw all of their eggs into.

Please explain, did not copy your last

 

[FN FAL]

Smart pilots would never let that piece of paper from the FAA be the basket in which they throw all of their eggs into.

I got it! And I dropped out of the 12th grade...

 

[FN FAL]

"I have been reading all the posts here and it is an interesting topic of conversation. I too feel that a degree does not make a pilot a better pilot...in general. However, I do feel the degree makes for a better employee."
Quote from FNL.

I feel it's the PERSON that makes the better employee rather than a degree.
I've seen the under educated slob work 10 min.s over 'cause he took a long lunch.
Then I've had the big-wig on board braggin' how he "handled" business, as long as he was on a "private Jet".
I know you know what I'm sayin'.

It is, what it is.

 

[GVFlyer]

Degree or not degree, that is the question...

The trend is toward requiring a professional degree for a professional position - at least in the corporate / aircraft manufacturer's arena. I have never worked anywhere that didn't require a four-year degree for their pilots. Most corporate Human Resources directorates have a hard time understanding providing a six figure salary and benefits package to a high school grad.


GV

 

[Flyingdutchman]

The trend is toward requiring a professional degree for a professional position - at least in the corporate / aircraft manufacturer's arena. I have never worked anywhere that didn't require a four-year degree for their pilots. Most corporate Human Resources directorates have a hard time understanding providing a six figure salary and benefits package to a high school grad.


GV

They pay a type rated ATP not a 16 year old high school grad..

 

[Uncle Sparky]

They pay a type rated ATP not a 16 year old high school grad..

I know that you probably mean well but you're not helping the cause.

A 16 year old grad MIGHT BE desirable. They're called Prodigies!
Try 17-18 for the average age of graduation.

..........and it's witness......not whittness ..........WITLESS!

Correct me if I'm wrong but the College graduate and the High School laggard both take the same FAA written tests and checkrides don't they? While on the subject of prodigies, if I happen to be one and decide to CLEP all of my classes in order to obtain a degree, does that mean I should be paid less as well?

 

[FN FAL]

...if I happen to be one and decide to CLEP all of my classes in order to obtain a degree, does that mean I should be paid less as well?

No, but being a CLEPtomaniac could lead you to becoming introduced to the criminal justiced system. Then you'd be shaking hands with the sheriff.

 

[minitour]

So what I'm understanding is this:

Once I finish my training and start my CFI "carreer", I can go to PSU...get an interior design degree and right away I am more desireable to a Major Airline?

WTF does that have to do with flying an airplane?

-mini

 

[Uncle Sparky]

......better appreciation for cockpit ergonomics and awareness of seat
and carpet color conflicts........

 

[Uncle Sparky]

No, but being a CLEPtomaniac could lead you to becoming introduced to the criminal justiced system. Then you'd be shaking hands with the sheriff.

........not sure what those big words mean.......after I graduated high school I chose to enlist in the Marine Corps and forego college, therefore rendering my brain incapable of further development!

 

[minitour]

......better appreciation for cockpit ergonomics and awareness of seat
and carpet color conflicts........

LMAO

Thanks
minitour needed that

ACK
I just did the third person thing!

Pass me a beer.......

-mini