Dugie8
Well-Known Member
The same could be said the other way 'round. Don't chop the attitude that you are better than those that went to a 141 university and earned an aeronautics degree, because you aren't
So there, neeneer, neeneer.
Is being a professional pilot really that bad?
- Thread starter EchoPapa
- Start date
The same could be said the other way 'round. Don't chop the attitude that you are better than those that went to a 141 university and earned an aeronautics degree, because you aren't
So there, neeneer, neeneer.
ljg
Well-Known Member
As one of those degree-holders with a "BS" aviation degree, I concur 100%. The merits of the degree aren't marketable in any other field.
Gonzo
Well-Known Member
So you got two jobs at two airlines that most people at the time did want to work for without a degree, great. But times have changed, you have almost zero chance of getting on with any major pax or cargo airline without a degree.
Jet
Well-Known Member
His attitude didn't come across as condescending to me. It's not a waste to get a specialized aviation degree, just a personal choice to put all your eggs in one basket. There are some people that want to learn above and beyond what is needed and that shouldn't be frowned upon or called a waste. To each their own.
Jet
Well-Known Member
US Airways just hired several pilots without degrees, of course it makes you more competitive to have one but it's not required.
cmhumphr
Well-Known Member
Ehh that's not entirely true Slickback. I personally know two guys who are at HAL who are degree-less.
R
Roger, Roger
Guest
If you don't want to get a degree, don't get one. It'll make mine stand out more.
Though, since I did combined A&P and flight, I have a little more of a fallback than a straight flight degree. And with a couple years of real world experience in maintenance, that opens doors to a lot of other career fields outside of aviation.
Though, since I did combined A&P and flight, I have a little more of a fallback than a straight flight degree. And with a couple years of real world experience in maintenance, that opens doors to a lot of other career fields outside of aviation.
ljg
Well-Known Member
Agreed. But that is one of many things that I have learned from this website. If I had found this website 15 years ago, I never would have ever considered an aviation degree. Based on the conversations from that Aviation Advisor at that particular university, my salary should also be well into the 6 figures by now.
Gonzo
Well-Known Member
Did they work for PDT or PSA? Did they have a dad that flies there or was in management? Do you know their back rounds?
HAL is a whole different thing and you know that.
trafficinsight
Well-Known Member
My point was this: Get a degree, or don't.
I think it's possible to get pretty much anywhere without one provided you've distinguished yourself in other ways. It may be harder and take longer one way versus the other but whatever, if you're willing to put up with that, go for it. I have a degree in aviation maintenance, is it more or less useful than a degree in "flight ops" as my school calls it? some would say more, some would say meh.
My dad threatened me with death if I didn't finish college but it was a waste of breath. I got a degree because I wanted to. I plan to get a masters and maybe a second bachelors because I want to, not because I think they're going to get me anywhere based on the fact that I checked the boxes and got the piece of paper.
I think it's possible to get pretty much anywhere without one provided you've distinguished yourself in other ways. It may be harder and take longer one way versus the other but whatever, if you're willing to put up with that, go for it. I have a degree in aviation maintenance, is it more or less useful than a degree in "flight ops" as my school calls it? some would say more, some would say meh.
My dad threatened me with death if I didn't finish college but it was a waste of breath. I got a degree because I wanted to. I plan to get a masters and maybe a second bachelors because I want to, not because I think they're going to get me anywhere based on the fact that I checked the boxes and got the piece of paper.
Jet
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure but they are the only major that doesn't officially have a degree as a requirement that I know about. There was even a thread taking about this on JC back in the summer. US Airways no degree.
Mark815
Well-Known Member
This is not meant to be a shot at all at you, or anyone with a degree, but like previously stated, I and others are holding jobs in aviation without a degree. Sure, a degree will look good on paper, and may help your resume to the top of a pile, but if the owner of that degree doesn't impress the potential employer, than it's not really doing much good is it? I've competed at interviews with people who have degrees, yet I managed to get the job. Just because you have a degree, doesn't mean you'll land a job. And just for the record, I'm not pro or anti degree, in fact I'm about a year away from getting my Bachelors, FINALLY!
cmhumphr
Well-Known Member
Touche' A Pimp Named Slickback.
CzechAirman
Well-Known Member
block30
Well-Known Member
What university are you going to? I agree with the statement about not taking on a lot debt. I have seen several folks who went to ERAU, UND, WMU, etc., who left with over six figure debt. And some of these folks were *lucky* enough to have been hired at a regional in 2006/7, withe a wet commercial and NO CFI. What if you are not as lucky? My point is find cheaper flight training and get your four year degree in something NON aviation. I think this profession has a lot of risk exposure, especially for the compensation. One violation, and your ultimate career dream may done. One failed medical. One mistake your student or your FO makes that YOU as PIC get to take the fall for. This happens.
Flying is enjoyable, unique, and challenging. So in ways it beats making widgets, working in a cubicle, or some other mind numbing job. But because its a "dream" job, folks will undercut you like mad! Especially the young single guys looking to sling shot to that jet job. You will meet some really good folks, as I think pilots are a fairly above average group (for lack of better term) to hang with. I grew up in a real blue collar town, not much class, so being around pilots was a nice change.
I think it is safe to say your mileage will vary gr---eatly in this volatile industry. Do you have family in the industry, by the way? Connections are probably worth as much as any hard work or experience amount to...fortunately or unfortunately.
Flying is enjoyable, unique, and challenging. So in ways it beats making widgets, working in a cubicle, or some other mind numbing job. But because its a "dream" job, folks will undercut you like mad! Especially the young single guys looking to sling shot to that jet job. You will meet some really good folks, as I think pilots are a fairly above average group (for lack of better term) to hang with. I grew up in a real blue collar town, not much class, so being around pilots was a nice change.
I think it is safe to say your mileage will vary gr---eatly in this volatile industry. Do you have family in the industry, by the way? Connections are probably worth as much as any hard work or experience amount to...fortunately or unfortunately.
CzechAirman
Well-Known Member
CzechAirman
Well-Known Member
Does it matter? They did it without.
Gonzo
Well-Known Member
Yes it matters
You posted this
So it matters if they had some very good inside help. For most people it is not BS that you can't get hired without a degree. My guess is in the next hiring wave we will be looking at less then 1% hired without degrees at the big airlines.