But I though a college degree was the only way to ever make any money? Isn't that what the college only crowd has been telling me for 6 years now, I am now trying to think in a politically correct manner, How am I doing?
The degree is just a paper shingle on the wall. The ones from Harvard cost alot, the ones that come from state schools cost less. The degree is not a "way to make money", that would be satisfying a need or skill that is in demand. The ability to see that a need exists could potentially be enhanced by having a degree. But no guarantee.
Airlines ala SWA, UPS, FDX, pay big salaries because of the historical union campaigns and thats what the market place calls for. Regionals/Commuters pay ALPO wages because, they can. Period.
An AA captain making 250K to fly a 777 is not paid this due to his huge intellect or dare I say, supreme abilities to engage the FD/AP at 500 AGL. He gets that because that is what AA pays him.
Spirit MD-80 pilots get what they get because that is what Spirit pays. Want higher pay to fly an MD-80? Go to AA or DAL.
Your/our salary worth is not determined by us, people. It is determined by the company you work for. That may bruise some egos and people will beat their little fists on their chests and get mad, but thats the truth.
If you "are worth" XXXX a year, you need to go start your own company.
Don't be mad that you were on the Riddle Flight Team and got an A+ on your paper concerning Human Error and Accidents and discover you will be making 15,000 a year flying Navajos for Scare-Exchange. Nobody past mommy and daddy who are paying your tuition care.
As long as your work for someone else, your fate is in someone else's hands, regardless of illusions of seniority, etc.
A college degree is not a key to "riches" anymore that not having one is a key to non-riches.
Being a pilot is at times a very highly paid, and fun, blue-collar job. No, making 100,000 a year does not make it white-collar. If that were true, crack dealers, Lexus salesman, busy welders, and porn stars (another fun job) would be on the Fortune Magazine "White Collar Jobs" list. They are not, for white collar jobs typically get that way do to an education requirement, not certification requirement. I met an EMT the other day who had like 10 different licenses, from EMT Basic to Paramedic to Emergency Room-something to firefighter. Does this make him "white collar?" No. He also was a licensed plumber. Still no.