Is a pilot worth anything without a degree?

[pilotyip]

Good for You

Good for you peanut, you are an exception. My age 25 example is one year away from finishing his degree and has close to the same flight and no debt. Plus the company has been paying for a lot of his schooling. But best of luck to you, there are many ways to skin a cat.

 

[CaptainMark]

Good for you peanut, you are an exception. My age 25 example is one year away from finishing his degree and has close to the same flight and no debt. Plus the company has been paying for a lot of his schooling. But best of luck to you, there are many ways to skin a cat.

looks like today you need that degree to make some big money more than ever...otherwise ..yes..you can be happy flying airplanes for a lot less...just not me...

 

[pilotyip]

Capt Mark go back to your 250 hours a year flying and let the real world eat it self alive, while living on poverty wages of $100K per year.

 

[CaptainMark]

Capt Mark go back to your 250 hours a year flying and let the real world eat it self alive, while living on poverty wages of $100K per year.

i would say most pilots out there are not even making 100k a year....i hope it changes because that is a disgrace to the profession...my lawnboy makes 100k cutting yards...

 

[1013dot25hPa]

I just realize that I'm a total looser reading those 8 pages at this time of night, discussing absolutely nothing. And now I even feel compelled to give my 2 cents worth in this thread. Sad indeed.:bawling: Just can't help my self.

I completely agree with G200 and Capt.Mark. It would have been nice to some if their replies were formulated differently.:blush: Both of them are trying to get across a point and that is that an aspiring pilot can do better in today’s aviation job market by obtaining at the minimum a 4-year degree.

Capt.Mark & G200 are not saying that pilots without degrees are in any way less of a pilot or human being for that matter. A degree does not make you fly any better. However, it CAN open more doors for a pilot in the future IF the pilot in question chooses to do so and has met all of the other requirements the hiring corporation has set for new hires.

In order to get a flying job, you don't necessarily need to obtain a 4-year degree. As a matter of fact, it is very possible to get a rewarding flying job without one. But for the pilots that have always dreamed of flying for a major airline like FedEx for example, not having obtained that 4-year degree will disqualify you for even being able to obtain an interview let alone get hired. Keep on dreaming.

If flying for FedEx or the like is not your cup of tea, then that's fine. I'm sure you can be very happy not flying for FedEx. It is also fine to make less money if you so desire. Also nothing wrong with that. Just be happy!

Just don't tell young new pilots not to finish a degree they have been working on or aspiring pilots not to bother getting a degree just because you are happy with your current situation as far as your employment is concerned or life. Instead encourage them to go get that degree because it MIGHT make them more marketable in the future and MIGHT open some big doors for them in the future that would otherwise be closed.

If you cannot obtain a degree because you lack the funds or for whatever reason, you can still be a successful pilot with a rewarding career, no doubt about it in my humble opinion. Try and get a degree online if you can and wish to open that door that is now closed.

Cheers :beer: ,

Alex

PS: Read this excellent article about College and Why you should go in AOPA's Online Magazine. http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/startfly/whycollege.html
Just scratch out the word Aviation in Aviation College.

 

[pilotyip]

capt M and 1013, I know too many non-degreed pilots making the $100K number, some in their 20's. They appear happy, if they are happy, then others may find happiness following the same path to such places as AirTran, JetBlue and SWA. Airlines that do not let the degree stand in the way of hiring the right pilot. Go to school if you want, but do not judge someone who elects to pursue a different path.

 

[FN FAL]

i would say most pilots out there are not even making 100k a year....i hope it changes because that is a disgrace to the profession...my lawnboy makes 100k cutting yards...

He's in the SOD business? Damb, who would have knowed SOD would have turned out to be the career of the future?

Is there an ab initio training program for that type of thing?

 

[CaptainMark]

I just realize that I'm a total looser reading those 8 pages at this time of night, discussing absolutely nothing. And now I even feel compelled to give my 2 cents worth in this thread. Sad indeed.:bawling: Just can't help my self.

you know you had fun reading 8 pages of this crap...don't lie..and on top of all that u write the longest entry and the one that summed it all up...nice job!

 

[1013dot25hPa]

...Okay, I'll admit it, I did have fun! :laugh:

PilotYip, you are still not getting it. Nobody is saying that you can not be happy without a college degree or that you can not make $100K+ as a pilot in your 20's without that degree.

All we are saying is give peace a chance . But seriously, all we are saying is that some doors will be closed to a person without that stupid degree. That's all. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[pilotyip]

Do whatever, but it is not stupid.

If person wants a degree they should by all means get a degree. If a person does not want a degree, then they should also be supported in their decision to go about a different career pursuit. However it seems on this board the only path one can pursue without being told how stupid they are, is the college only route. To get a degree run up big debt and only do it to check a box on 1 out of 100 applications seems counter productive to me. But then I am old fashioned and do not care if anyone has a degree or not.

 

[bubbers44]

Pilotyip, Yes, I agree.

 

[pilotyip]

Give Peace a Chance?

BTW 1013 Prime Minister Chamberlain gave peace a chance and killed 50M people

 

[CaptainMark]

looks like the old-timers are in agreement...

 

[Ready2Fly]

If you get a job at a regional with a flowthru, you don't need a degree to get on with a major.

 

[flx757]

If you get a job at a regional with a flowthru, you don't need a degree to get on with a major.

Ready2Fly is TheGuat, Rhoid, IHaveAPension, LucyFurr, E170GuppyKiller, TheGuppyKiller, GuppyKiller, The MissingLink, ABXpert, UPSer, RJDC, OUT, 410Dude, BR549, FreightNazi....etc...etc...