The "DEGREE"

[klhoard]

From the glue arises yet another miracle horse.

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ROTFLMAO!!!!!

 

[Freddie Spencer]

I think Fedex requires some kind of agricultural, or metal bending degree...

 

[pilotyip]

Yes you may need a degree for Fedex or UPS, but of the nearly 151 companies presently recruiting they are the only ones that make the possession of a piece of paper a show stopper. So you have to ask yourself, "Do I fell lucky?" Do I get a degree for two of the 151 operators presently recruiting or do I learn to fly and build experience and save tons of money to go for the other 149 jobs.

 

[WyoHerkdriver]

I can tell you that you are smart to go to college and get the degree. Not just any degree, but a degree that you can actually use in case the flying thing does not work out (for whatever reason). I was furloughed from a major airline following 9/11 and thanks to the fact I had a decent degree to fall back on I was able to find a non-flying job in the field I studied in college. Besides, given the intense competition for flying jobs, the pilots with the four-year degree will have the advantage over those that did not bother going to college. Do not listen to those that say you should not go to college as I am sure that a large number of those probably regret NOT going to college.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Yes you may need a degree for Fedex or UPS, but of the nearly 151 companies presently recruiting they are the only ones that make the possession of a piece of paper a show stopper. So you have to ask yourself, "Do I fell lucky?" Do I get a degree for two of the 151 operators presently recruiting or do I learn to fly and build experience and save tons of money to go for the other 149 jobs.

What a total misrepresentation of reality. Just goes to show you how people can twist numbers to make their point. It's not a total show-stopper in most places, but it's an almost show-stopper at MOST. Get real. Get a degree. Sure, there's nothing wrong with going to night school while on reserve somewhere, but sorry, if you just go out and don't get a degree, get 3000 hours, and then expect to be competetive at anywhere other than USA Jet, you are out of your freaking skull.

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

That's the way the game is played

I agree a degree is the way to go because that is the way the game is played. It also could be of use should anyone's aviation gig go south. However, my cynical side thinks a degree (for the 18-24 year old group) keeps the unemployment numbers lower by delaying their entry into the working world while employing high minded college professors who couldn't compete in the "real" world. Again, being somewhat cynical.
Having a kid going to college next year it is humorous to hear the University of Florida and University of Central Florida say how they only take the "best/brightest". That's like saying Delta only hires the bestest of the best. Besides, there are probably 80,000 students at these two schools and everyone is a genious? Also think it is funny how college tuition continues to go up. Kind of goes hand in hand with all those easy loans. End of rant.
My degree(s) helped get my foot in the door. That is the extent of their nutritional value for me personally. Got them in Kentucky so I speculate that would equate to a junior high education in most dignified states!

 

[Aubie]

Pledge Tappa Kegga Day

Whether you like it or not, not having a college degree will usually hold you back in the professional world - because in most cases a person will not get as well-rounded an education in the same 4 (or 5, or 6) years working a job, surfing the net, watching t.v., etc that they would have in school. While we all joke about parties and girls, we (mostly through osmosis) did refine writing and speaking skills, and more importantly better learn how to approach things analytically and make logical arguments. These are skills that help in virtually every field. Education isn't supposed to be just about getting you a job (and therefore $$$), but about expanding one's depth of knowledge and ability to ask the right questions to make good decisions. And majors don't really matter - ecology and economics are really studies ofthe same principles.

Bottom line, college is a good investment no matter how you do it, and most airlines, whether some think it fair or not, desire employees that have reached that level of educational accomplishment.

But anyone offering an entire degree for "life experiences" is an opportunistic fraud exploiting hiring requirements and the internet to steal your money for a piece of paper. Non-accredited university credits are about as useful as an incomplete condom and employers recognize this - hence the reason they want to see transcripts.

 

[kilroy]

I know alot of guys with masters phd,s you name it but they are the most stupid muthaf()ckers with absolutely no idea how to get by on a day to day basis. I wouldn,t let these educated a$$es drive my lawnmore never mind fly an airplane. But yet is a requirement for alot of these aviation companies. I wish they would take personal experience and time in aircraft as consideration when a candidate does not have a degree You can learn a he(( of alot more about aviation from a 9000 hr captain then a 4 yr degree 2500 hr pilot.

 

[LJDRVR]

I can't believe this is being brought up again!

For those of you who are thinking you can make it without the degree, allow me to give you some advice: You won't. You can have thousands of hours of international turbine command experience, impeccable references, been published, worked in every facet of aviation and have been hired by every airline that ever interviewed you, but without the bachelors degree, you will not get invited to interview for the very best jobs. You will then be playing "catch-up" by completing your degree online.

I'm happy with every choice I've made and have had a lot fun on the journey. I wouldn't change a thing. Those of you starting out though, quit your flimsy rationalizations and get the degree.

 

[pilotyip]

Stand by beliefs

I know pilots who have been hired at UAL, NWA, JB, SWA, AirTran, Spirit, Netjets, and a couple corporations without degrees. They were hired in front of other candidates with degrees. Do not tell me you cannot succeed unless you have degree. BTW I have nothing against a college degree, by all means if you want to get one, go get one. If you want to open all the doors get your degree on-line while you are flying. Then you will have both quality flight time early in your career and a degree to match by your late 20’s. But I stand firmly on my belief it is not needed for success in the aviation industry. Remember success is defined by the individual and not by others imposing their views upon that individual. For those of you who feel college is not for you and you just love flying airplanes. Go fly airplanes and do not let the narrow politically correct college degree only thinking of this board guide you in the wrong direction. Think outside the box.

 

[English]

Think outside the box.

Ironic statement from someone advocating not getting a degree.

 

[350DRIVER]

Yes you may need a degree for Fedex or UPS, but of the nearly 151 companies presently recruiting they are the only ones that make the possession of a piece of paper a show stopper. So you have to ask yourself, "Do I fell lucky?" Do I get a degree for two of the 151 operators presently recruiting or do I learn to fly and build experience and save tons of money to go for the other 149 jobs.

The above is pretty much on the mark. . . Don't worry so much about it, get the turbine time, experience, and try and diversify your background and credentials. Many have been hired on without a degree.

3 5 0

 

[pilotyip]

English, the box is well defined on this board "College only people need apply" is the loud and clear message, if you don't support that I would say that is outside the box.

 

[English]

No one has made that statement. The statement has been, why limit yourself and make yourself less competitive?

Do you also advocate not getting an ATP, because it is not required and some people get hired without it?

Sorry my friend, but your thinking on the subject of degrees is very much inside the box - a very little, small, limiting box.

To each his own. I'm just trying to make more glue for Hugh Jorgan.

 

[thruthemurk]

I know alot of guys with masters phd,s you name it but they are the most stupid muthaf()ckers with absolutely no idea how to get by on a day to day basis.QUOTE]

Do they know you?

You have my vote for presenting the best argument (in absentia) for why someone should go to college.
Murk

 

[FN FAL]

I think Fedex requires some kind of agricultural, or metal bending degree...

I don't care what FedEx requires...I'm getting my technical degree in machinegun repair, there has to be a sh!t ton of money to be made in headspacing HK-21E beltfeds!

http://www.subguns.com/classifieds/index.cgi?db=nfafirearms&website=&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=5346&query=retrieval

 

[Nalo Boy]

You can get by without it, but its better to have one than to not. Especially in times like these, you've got to do what you can to get one of the "good" jobs. There are way more good pilots than good jobs, (even more sh1tty pilots with good jobs) and a degree might be the dealbreaker. Remember, lifes not fair. Just because you have a degree and 20,000 space shuttle landings and an Armani suit doesnt mean youre gonna get hired, but it only helps.


$.02

 

[FN FAL]

You can get by without it, but its better to have one than to not. Especially in times like these, you've got to do what you can to get one of the "good" jobs. There are way more good pilots than good jobs, (even more sh1tty pilots with good jobs) and a degree might be the dealbreaker. Remember, lifes not fair. Just because you have a degree and 20,000 space shuttle landings and an Armani suit doesnt mean youre gonna get hired, but it only helps.


$.02

Hoot Gibson doesn't have 20,000 space shuttle landings and he landed a job at a fine regional...could it be the college degree?

 

[pilotyip]

Hoot would have been hired without a degree

If Hoot did not have a degree he still would have been hired by SWA. SWA is a progressive airline and they do not let a piece of paper stand in the way of hiring the right stuff. I know I am going to here the argument Hoot could not be Hoot without a degree, USAF required one.

 

[pilotyip]

Do not understand English

No one has made that statement. The statement has been, why limit yourself and make yourself less competitive?

If the degree makes you so competitive, why were the guys I listed hired in front of those with degrees? Could it be skills, flight time, and lots of 121 PIC TJ experience, great personalities, and 10 years of air carrier experience by the time they were in their late 20's and early 30's