finish college degree or take an upgrade

[SW4guy]

I work for a 135 company flying as a captain on their king air C-90, jetstream 32, and also as an SIC on their Lear 35. I have 5000 TT, with 3000 PIC turboprop. I have been offered to upgrade as captain in the lear. If I take the upgrade, I would have to quit college ( schedule). The pay difference is about 10k. I would like to work for a major someday. ( even though it seems like a pipe dream ) 32 Years old. I appreciate your inputs. God bless.

 

[chazman]

Without even reading your post... Get your degree. It will open more doors than any upgrade.

Just my two cents. I am sure there will be those that disagree

Chaz

 

[BoilerUP]

Maybe an online degree would be an option? That might take longer, but could give you the best of both worlds.

 

[Frac Daddy]

?

How close are you to finishing you degree?

 

[SW4guy]

about two years left to go, can't afford online college.

 

[DrunkIrishman]

Get your degree if you want to go to the majors. It is possible that you could get hired at a major without it. I believe 1% of all people hired at the majors do not have a four year degree...do you feel that lucky? Besides, you are still building PIC Turbine. Good luck!

 

[Dep676]

Have you checked UVSC. They are online and distant learning. I think the tution is only 130 an hr.

 

[enigma]

about two years left to go, can't afford online college.

I'll suggest that you search a little more for affordable online degrees. There are more out there than the UofPhoenix and ERAU.

Good Luck,
enigma

EditS, I have a friend who is a recent Jetblue newhire. NO DEGREE!!!!!

 

[English]

Online degrees are not more expensive. I did an entire second bachelors degree for $9000. That included the laptop and all books.

If you are in California, distance learning courses through your community college (or any community college in the state) are $18 a unit. That is the same price as doing the class in person.

Take the upgrade. I did two type ratings while in my last term, which was 16 units. It wasn't easy, but I still made the Dean's list. It is attainable if it is important enough to you.

 

[lostplnetairman]

Take the upgrade but find a way to continue with college. Either by withdrawing from some courses for this semester or using the FMLA, talk to the school. It won't make you fly an airplane better but you need the degree in this competative environment. I myself don't have one but I'm the exception not the rule.

 

[boxjockey]

As someone else here mentioned, the Utah Valley State College is a good idea. I took three classes there last semester. They are about $400/class and are quite easy to complete, even on a demanding schedule. http://www.uvsc.edu

box

 

[njcapt]

You gotta do both, Bud. The extra 10K ought to pay for many more correspondence courses than you can take in a given year. If you hit it hard, you can knock out the whole two years' worth in about three of actual time. Jet PIC time will look very attractive to a major when things stabilize in a couple of years, though I would remain serious about getting the degree. Even though jetBlue will hire you without a four year degree, many airlines that would in the past no longer will without some serious pull from the inside (ATA, SWA, AirTran).

 

[SWA/FO]

Find a way to do both. The extra cash is good. You already have enough PIC to apply to SWA - just worry about your degree and how to spend your extra cash.

 

[crashpad]

Sounds like you're already building great experience at your job and you can still get your degree. Turbo-prop PIC+ Degree means a whole lot more to the good airlines than Lear PIC + no degree. No matter what your degree, it will also help you at the next level that demands you be the consumate professional.

 

[PurpleTail]

If you could do both I don't think you would have posted for input on this board. With that said you have to get your 4 yr degree, it is priceless and a must for the majors. You are still young enough to have a 20-25 yr career with a possible top 10 airline/cargo company.

At FedEx, turbo-prop PIC is just as good as turbine PIC. The extra 10K to give up a 4 yr degree doesn't even seem comparable IMHO. You have the flight time, get the degree.

 

[TonyC]

I vote for BOTH also...

The extra TEN GRAND a year will go a long way towards correspondance courses, or other distance learning options.

UPGRADE, and go for the easiest bachelor's degree you can find.

 

[spanky2]

Another motion for the degree. You never know what wrenches life will throw at you.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

get both.

college degree and very little PIC time = slim chance of interview

No degree and lots of PIC time = slim chance of interview

degree and lots of PIC time = now you are like everyone else.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

As previously mentioned, if you thought doing both was something you wanted to do, you probably would not be asking our opinions. At this point, your flight experience is quite competetive and you are current. You'll need the degree. If you only do one or the other, get the degree. You are still flying, so you'll be current, and if, after your degree is complete, the big boys aren't hiring, you can always upgrade then if the opportunity still presents itself. Folks, he's logging Multi-PIC, Lear SIC and working on the degree. I'd say that's pretty good!

 

[TexaSWA]

Easy guys, youre going to cause pilotyip to have a stroke.

If you cant do both do the degree.