pilotyip said:
To continue the discussion of the merits of the college degree. It has been posted that I am anti-college degree. Nothing cold is further from the truth. The country needs all the college educated citizens it can have, its raises the level of knowledge to keep this as the greatest country in the world. Real degrees in business, engineering, the sciences, math, and medicine provide a graduate with marketable skills. If you are going to go to college, get a real degree from a real university. Do not spend four years getting a degree in Women’s Studies. However this is not an engineering forum, this is an aviation forum. The college degree has nothing to do with flying an airplane. Many have posted they agree it has nothing to do with the mastering on an airplane. I have admitted that the possession of a degree may open doors at a few select places of employment in the airline industry. If a potential pilot feels they will only be pleased in life if they get an interview with UPS, then that prospective pilot should go to college, however disappointment may follow. Air Inc advertises that 166 airlines and assorted aviation companies are recruiting right now, I only see five that make the degree a showstopper. My assertion that runs contrary to the "College is a must” crowd, is that to be competitive for the other 161 places the degree is not necessary. If a prospective pilots just loves flying airplanes, and would be happy making $70-$100K per year with no debt from college loans, a college degree is not necessary. Many prospective pilots may be steered into attending college when they are not college material, not because of a lack basic intelligence, but because it is not important to them. These pilots want to get on with their lives flying airplanes. I have seen too many non-degreed pilots reach a good career position with out a degree. But then my focus is on job satisfaction and not upon pay, respect, and prestige. It is about the joy of flying an airplane. Others out there may feel the same motivation I do.
"If a prospective pilots just loves flying airplanes, and would be happy making $70-$100K per year with no debt from college loans, a college degree is not necessary."
Well, let's add to this a little bit.
First, the student would more than likely not have any student loan debt from college, but highly unlikely that this person would not owe any money for acquiring certificates and ratings. Unless they have around $15K sitting around with nothing else to spend it on, they are going to owe money when they finish.
Second, these prospective pilots are not going to walk into $70-$100K flying jobs. More likely, they are going to spend at least a few years working for minimum wage wages while they gain experience. Looks like the credit card debt may start creeping up on them at 15%-20% interest rates.
Third, while the prospects of making $70K-$100K are there, one must look at a few other things. Compared to making $250/week as a CFI, even $40K looks good. But, are we talking about $70-$100K in today's dollars when we project 10 years into the future? Chances are that a lot of these companies that pay $70-$100K today, will still pay $70-$100K annually 10-15 years down the road. That may still be good money, or it may not be as much as it is today.
Fourth, what kinds of companies will be paying these salaries and what are the working conditions like. I'm sure some corporate outfits will pay this much, but how about stability. Can you count on retiring from them? Can you count on starting over a few times before you eventually retire? How about quality of life? Is a job that pays $70-$100K going to require you to be on call 24/7 and gone away from home 2/3 of the year?
Now, I see YIP's point about the college degree, and this is not any type of slam to his argument. In fact, I know a couple of people here that do not have a college degree. However, here is my point:
First, like YIP says, get into flying because you enjoy flying airplanes, that way you won't be dissappointed.
Second, regarding a degree, I recommend getting one, but not one in aviation. Get a degree, and more specifically, one which will equip you with a very marketable trade and allow you to work while you are flying or between flying jobs. This could help put a few extra condiments on the dinner table during those slow months as a CFI when nobody else seems to be hiring as well as when you are between flying jobs.
Finally, don't let debt from student loans scare you. I do advise paying cash for as much school as you can, but if you HAVE to borrow, go ahead. Just make sure that you are able to pay it off rather quickly when you graduate. I had a couple of school loans when I graduated, but they have since been paid off. I lucked out, my degree is in aviation, but I got on with a very good carrier 4 years out of college too. Looking back, it was a gamble.
When YIP referenced school debt, it made me think of some of the aviation-universities where one can easily owe over $100K upon graduation. I think those schools are a waste of money, because you don't need an aviation-specific degree to even fly for the carriers which require a degree. You can major in something more marketable for a lot less.
