Degree of Difficulty

[Tip Tank]

Hi guys, I'm looking for a little help here.

I have about 10 years experience in the field. Clean record, no busts, 5000+ PIC-Turbine, a couple of type ratings and a good work history. The only thing missing is my four-year degree.

I did my B737 type last fall, and I hope to get a call from the SWA PD sometime soon. I've heard that SWA is one of the more lenient employers when it comes to possession of a four-year degree, but should that not pan out, I need options!

I'd like to finish out my degree, online. It seems to me that no one really cares what your major is, it's the diploma that counts. With that said, I'm looking for the shortest path to attaining a bachelor's degree.

Here's my questions:
1. Any recommendations on remote learning universities? Thoughts on Riddle?

2. Do any of you know which colleges give credit for life experience in the field (ATP, Types, work experience, etc...)?

3. Does anyone have any leads on grants & scholarships available for family-supporting working stiffs in the aerospace industry?

4. If you did the same, what was your experience like finishing your degree online?

Thanks fellas,
-TT

 

[English]

My spouse is doing the online degree right now through Embry Riddle. What we've found to be the most effective is to get all the general education coursework done at a community college's distance learning program (this is more like $17 a unit) then transfer the units over to Embry. In addition, Embry will grant 30 or 40 units for life experiences.

You can apply for financial aid at Embry, just like at any other school. The deadline is approaching...check it out at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Doing the online degree is great if you are a self-starter and organized. You can finish a degree much quicker than through the traditional classroom setting.

 

[LearLove]

Why is that everyone wants to get on with SWA now? Pre 2001 not many gave SW a second look.

Looking at your profile, I'm sure you had the SWA mins pre 9/11, why didn't you apply then? It would have been much easier then w/o a degree. In the spring/summer of 01 3 guys from ALG went to SWA non had any college.

 

[Tip Tank]

English,
Thanks for the info.

LearLove,
Actually, I did apply. Right before the slow down.

In all honestly, I did not pursue the airlines whole-heartedly when I had the mins because I was very happy hauling freight. Call it a trap if you want, but I was well paid and well treated by my employer. Besides, I was starting a family and home everyday - hard to give that up! The airline lifestyle DOES have it's draw-backs you know.

I don't regret waiting. I wouldn't trade that time at home with the little ones for anything - even a job with SWA!

 

[HMR]

Run a search on FlightInfo for "online degrees". There have been some helpful posts over the years.

Check out www.degreeinfo.com/ . I remember finding one or two accredited schools that gave credit for flight ratings.

www.clepbuster.com/ This site gives good info on how to test out of alot of classes. It could save you a bunch of time.

Good Luck!

 

[dojetdriver]

Why is that everyone wants to get on with SWA now? Pre 2001 not many gave SW a second look.

Great point, one of the funniest things I ever saw happened JS'ing on a now bankrupt airline, me and a Southwest pilot were commuting transcon. One of the days we both go down to check in with the CA, I'm a regional guy so they treat me like trash. The SW guy talks to the CA, the FO says in a rather arrogant tone of voice, "We're hiring you know?" The SW guy says nothing.

The next week, same thing, we both go down to chat with the CA about a ride. Same thing, only a differnet crew this time. Same thing from the FO in the same arrogant tone of voice, "We're hiring you know?" This time the SW guys says;

"Yeah, so are we"

Classic, this was so funny to watch.

 

[Mach 80]

I know of several SWA pilots who got on without a 4 year degree. I know from talking to a couple of them that the issue never even came up in the interview. In another case the guy explained that it was due to a family situation.

 

[Tip Tank]

MACH 80,

Like your post, this message board was very helpful when I was deciding on whether or not to get my B737 type. I noticed that SWA was indeed hiring pilots without a four-year degree, and they continue to do so to this day. Hearing first hand accounts of success led me to go ahead and invest in the type. Thanks four your encouragment.

I did go to college, for a year (not that you asked, but I type way too fast to control myself). I really wanted to go military from the get go, but my eyesight dropped below medical mins my senior year in HS, and there were no waivers at that time. So, I was forced to look down a different road. I enrolled in a large state university with a flight program and pursued a heavy course-load in the aviation department. I soon discovered that at that time, very few graduates coming out of the university were getting jobs - even as flight instructors! It was the early 90s, in the height of the pay-to-play era. A job at Continental Express, if you could get it, would cost you $10k out-of-pocket in training and they paid you $12k the first year! My career forcast looked gloomy at best. Too many pilots, too few jobs. The abuse of the situation by everyone was rampant and I really wanted nothing to do with it.

In hind-sight, I should have realized that there is a definite cycle to this industry, but I honestly did not listen to that advise. I was more depressed than anything else - first the military thing doesn't work out and now the commercial aviation industry is a complete mess! As early as I can remember, I've wanted to fly, but the situation at hand looked nothing like my dreams! Many guys trudged forward, despite the odds, and I admire their courage. The only benefit I saw in staying at the university was an internship with a major airline. I however, did not want to fly for TWA. I did not have the United pie-in-the-sky thing going at all. I wanted to do something a little more "hands-on". "You can keep the money", I wanted to have fun. I soon stumbled upon an opportunity to get a job flying freight and I took it. I'm older now, and the fun meter hasn't pegged for some time. I've enjoyed the ride, flying freight that is. I've pretty much got the fun-seeking all out of my system, and a job at a healthy major airline sounds great (like that needs to be said in this forum).

BTW - You sour pilots out there that love to pick on everyone at every chance you get, HAVE AT IT! It's good interview prep! You'll only help me get the job that you can't get because of your attitude!

 

[captcaveman]

I'm in a similar situation...
I was in a large State University and had to pull out in my senoir year for family reasons.
Ran out of money when I had the chance to go back and finish off, but got a job flying falcons which was great for my flight time but lousy as far as allowing me time for school...I wound up accidently working my way up the flying ladder but never having time to go back and finish.
After 9/11 I had to come over to Europe for work since the majors were in such a bad way in the States. Now I'm a B 737 capt for an airline here looking at getting back to the states, but not a sniff from anyone over there yet. It wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't the degree issue.
Unfortunately you have to get as far as an interview to be able to explain the reasons why you're lacking the degree!
So I'm still trying to find a school who will take acount of previous credits etc to actually get the thing finished somehow...Frustrating!

 

[Quagmire11]

Regent's/Excelsior

Ok take this for what it is worth. I was in the military and getting out soon. I needed a 4 yr degree. I had an associates. I went to the education counselor and told them I needed the fastest, easiest, 4 yr degree. They told me, Regents (now known as Excelsior). They accounted for all previous experience, then gave me the option of testing out of any remaining credits (CLEP/Dantes). I took tests for a couple of weeks and passed all but one. I got my degree from an accredited college in less than 5-6 months and only paid 400 bucks! (1000 but VA paid for 600). The tests were free for military but I think they run about 100-200 bucks a shot. Nobody has asked me anything more than, do you have a degree? Answer: yes. That is the extent of it... Anyway, if you want a faster degree, there isn't one.

https://www.excelsior.edu/portal/page?_pageid=57,1&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

 

[kingaira90]

more options

A great resource is a book called "Distance Degrees” you can get it at www.collegeathome.com. It has a lot of very good up to date info about distance degree programs across the country, including price. Easy to read and tells you if the place is accredited, very important! Another very quick accredited place is Thomas Edison State College www.tesc.edu. You can test out of every class they offer (CLEP, Dante’s, and their own in house tests for the rest). They take life experience including your ratings if you do the aviation technology degree. Got the info from the book then contacted them directly; I plan on signing up very soon. There are places on the web that offer online study sessions for the CLEP exams, set up like studying a Gleim CD or something. Makes it very quick and painless. Good luck. If you can post againt when you decide which way you will go, and how it is working. - Kingaira90

 

[FN FAL]

I had a two year degree under my belt before I started with my current degree program and I have been working full time on the bachelor degree on line. It's been great, but it is a real ass kicker on your free time.

 

[cappydd]

Guys,
I feel for everybody here. I am in the same boat---lotsa experience, but no degree. Unfortunately, I do think it can be a show-stopper for getting the interview. Once you can get the interview, that is your chance to explain to the interviewer the reasons for not finishing college, be it family, ran out of money or job or whatever the case. There are valid reasons some of us did not finish college.
For me, I started college. I have 1 year of college, but also seeing all these people graduate with no jobs, decided to take the faster route and just go to flight school. During flight school, I wound up getting married and had a child. NOW all of a sudden, I have a family to take care of which demanded a job to put food on the table. I have worked hard to provide for my children (as we all do). I have tried to move up within the ranks of the companies I have worked for, constantly showing a desire to do more with a great attitude. Eventually it landed me with a Check Airman position, then Chief Pilot. However, over time, the job was too hard to leave with the amount of time away from home, but you are in that trap with the money being good and all!!!!.
Now with my children older, I am hoping that I can find the time to pursue the degree. Just hoping my time has not ran out?
Good luck to all in this situation, regardless of the reasons.

 

[LittleDeuce]

4 Year Degree

I would take a hard look at Thomas Edison. I think it still might be a little cheaper than Riddle with a lot more flexibility.

It was a true goodsend to me, and that was when there was no internet like there is today!

The great thing about Edison is you can get get your credits from any accredited college and apply it towards your degree.

Good luck!