College Degree?

[Seggy]

Very interesting posts. I think that i will summurize what i have learned through these posts.
In the airline business, get your degree, because it's just the way it is.
That really bothers me
Thanks for all of the input

Welcome to jetcareers!

Why does it bother you?

A LOT of guys at my company DO NOT have their four year. Everytime they talk about their 'dream job' I ask them if they have their four year. When they say no, it will only be a 'dream job' until they get that degree.

A lot of guys have NO clue about this industry (jetcareers is the PHD course in aviation ). They where shocked when I tell them about Alaska and the no nicotine policy there. I once got twenty bucks from a guy because I bet him they did have that policy!

 

[derg]

It really bothers me that I have to take off my shoes to go into some people's homes.

But if I want in, I've got to play the game and respect their requirements.

 

[Schuin]

It really bothers me that I have to take off my shoes to go into some people's homes.

But if I want in, I've got to play the game and respect their requirements.

That is exactally what bothers me. Look i am a hard worker, and not looking for a pass. The "game" is what makes no sense.
Taking off your shoes makes sense, you know what i mean?
I am not trying to ruffle feathers, but the only answer seems to be is "just do it" And if i have to, then i will, i was just trying to make some sense out of it all

 

[derg]

A LOT of guys at my company DO NOT have their four year. Everytime they talk about their 'dream job' I ask them if they have their four year. When they say no, it will only be a 'dream job' until they get that degree.

There's a lot of truth to this. Quick story real uhh quick. We had an Expressjet jumpseater from ATL to IAH last month and he was talking about how much commuting sucked, how he was unsure about his future because of the loss of flying to Chautauqua and how he was a little hopeless.

I said, "Well, Delta's hiring! You should get your application in because chances are, you'll get ATL off the bat and you'll NEVER have to commute again."

He got really excited and asked how to get an application and what the requirements were.

1000 turbine, four year degree, yadda yadda yadda.

Then I thought he looked shocked one moment and disappointed the next.

"I don't have a degree. I had three more semesters to go when I got hired at ExpressJet and I just quit."

Forgot about the formula where "success = opportunity + preparation"

A lot of guys have NO clue about this industry. They where shocked when I tell them about Alaska and the no nicotine policy there. I once got twenty bucks from a guy because I bet him they did have that policy!

True it is. Smokers need not apply at Alaska.

 

[derg]

That is exactally what bothers me. Look i am a hard worker, and not looking for a pass. The "game" is what makes no sense.

Remember that you don't have to work for an airline in order to fly.

Nothing wrong with getting your HS diploma, starting a business and then buying an airplane. It might be a lot more fun if you just want to fly airplanes.

 

[Schuin]

Correct, it is a requirment, i just wanted to know why.
I want to fly airlines, and again, will get the degree if i have to. The point was not should or should'nt I, just some reasons.
So thanks guys.

 

[Seggy]

On a side note, college was a blast. Oh the parties and going to Knight Club!

 

[Schuin]

By the way, how do you like the 1900?

 

[kellwolf]

That is exactally what bothers me. Look i am a hard worker, and not looking for a pass. The "game" is what makes no sense.
Taking off your shoes makes sense, you know what i mean?
I am not trying to ruffle feathers, but the only answer seems to be is "just do it" And if i have to, then i will, i was just trying to make some sense out of it all

Like Seggy, there are a lot of guys at my company without degrees. They've got 20+ years flying for THIS airline, but no degree. They want to go to Fed Ex, but you know what the odds of that happening are? Zero.

You say you're not looking for a short cut, but your actions are saying something different. If you want to fly for the regionals, you're good. I don't have my degree finished yet, and I'm flying for a regional. If I want to move on, I've got to get the degree finished. The reason isn't "just because that's the way it is." The reason is the HR guys and gals that make the decision are looking for well rounded individuals that have shown a tangible desire to start something and finish it. Getting all of your ratings takes 90 days in some places. I've worked crappy jobs I hated for longer than that, so that doesn't necessarily show that you're a dedicated hard worker. It shows that you can put up with some crap and make sacrifices. Doing it for 3+ years is a big difference. Look how many people get their ratings at a pilot mill, get started at a regional and decided "Eh, this isn't for me." HR doesn't want those people. It's a waste of time and resources.

So, to recap: well rounded individual, desire to succeed and finish what they started, knowledge from your course work that can help you in day to day life.

If you don't want to get the degree, don't. But don't complain when you're at Skywest or wherever 10-15 years down the road and can't get an interview because everyone else applying is more qualified.

 

[Seggy]

By the way, how do you like the 1900?

Love the plane!

 

[mrpennies]

So what about getting on with a Regional then taking online classes. I have my Associates and some credits for my BS.. Would this be a good "option" in your opinions? I look at the fact that I make way to much money to qualify for aid but.... Working for a regional I would qualify. I could then take classes from UVSC or any other online school. Do the majors care where the degree is from?

 

[kellwolf]

So what about getting on with a Regional then taking online classes. I have my Associates and some credits for my BS.. Would this be a good "option" in your opinions? I look at the fact that I make way to much money to qualify for aid but.... Working for a regional I would qualify. I could then take classes from UVSC or any other online school. Do the majors care where the degree is from?

That's what I'm doing right now, although I had all but two classes knocked out before getting on here. The only issue with that is you really, really have to be on top of yourself to get the work done. It's easy after a 15 hour duty day of flying 8+ hours in winter weather in the Northeast to say "Eh, I'm too tired to write that paper."

 

[derg]

So what about getting on with a Regional then taking online classes. I have my Associates and some credits for my BS.. Would this be a good "option" in your opinions? I look at the fact that I make way to much money to qualify for aid but.... Working for a regional I would qualify. I could then take classes from UVSC or any other online school. Do the majors care where the degree is from?

My personal advice: Finish the degree first.

You may or may not have the dedication and/or energy to work on an online degree once you're working 83 hour months at a regional.

I don't know much about online degrees, but I know after a long day of work, the idea that I'd have to log on, do some coursework and work on a paper about 'Hegemony and It's Effect on the Fall of the Ottoman Empire" on a 10 hour layover are pretty negative.

That's just my humble suggestion.

 

[SteveC]

I doubt you will find many people with a (credible) college degree who will say that their time in school was wasted. I use obscure knowledge I picked up in random required classes every day in my job - stuff I never thought would apply to my career field.

Because trust me bro, flying is a VERY small part of being a professional pilot. They're looking for well rounded, well educated individuals.

What exactly would you consider legitimate?

It's about education, life experience, and being an over-all well-rounded person. Not that someone without a college degree can't be educated (learning happens outside the classroom too), experienced, or be a well-rounded person. Just having a college degree adds to your education, experience, and well-roundedness.

Additionally, ground school at an airline is probably unlike any of the training you've done up to that point--it's much more analogous to a college course, where you have to study your ass off in a short period of time.

How College helps me every day:

Every time I write an Irregularity Report (something every airline pilot writes), I was thanking Dr. Gilbert in English Comp 101 for his red ink chicken-scratch notations demanding proper punctuation, grammar and syntax.

Every time I had to address a large number of people (standing in front of a plane load of passengers to explain why we haven't pushed off the gate yet), I thank Mrs. Arnold for her semmingly unreasonable speech-a-week in Communications 101.

Every time I calculate my top of descent or figure out how much fuel we can tanker to get us through Nome, I thank Dr. Armstrong for his annoying attention to detail in College Algebra 201.

While presenting myself to the hiring board, I thank my instructors in college flight training who required me be professional, hold myself to the highest standards, and for gods sakes wear that stupid tie in the 90+ degree east Texas summers!

College isn't about grades and making it through Applied College Physics for Rocket Scientists, it's about learning the high standards of being a productive employee in today's corporate world.

Thanks, that is the kind of real world info that i needed.

Cool! Right about here is where I thought you were catching on, but then...

Very interesting posts. I think that i will summurize what i have learned through these posts.
In the airline business, get your degree, because it's just the way it is.
That really bothers me
Thanks for all of the input

I am not trying to ruffle feathers, but the only answer seems to be is "just do it" And if i have to, then i will, i was just trying to make some sense out of it all

I'm starting to think that you've convinced yourself that the only reason to get a degree is because it is required, you don't like that reason, and you're completely ignoring all the other very good and pertinent reasons that are being posted.

 

[Chris_Ford]

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but...

Maybe you shouldn't go to college.

If you *only* see it as "something I gotta do" you might not do so well. I'm not saying that you're not able to do it, but if the motivation isn't there, college may be borderline impossible.

There's certainly nothing wrong with not going to college, especially if you're willing to work a little harder during that four years that others are attending college.

 

[MDPilot]

I agree with Chris (will wonders never cease?) Maybe you shouldn't get your degree. In fact, I find it strange that we keep trying over and over to convince aspiring pilots to get degrees. Because if your peers are successful in convincing you to get a degree, they are helping to arm their competition for a future job.

So don't get that degree because it is a stupid requirement. Make a statement! If you continue in aviation and hit that glass ceiling at the regional level, you can complain how unfair it is. But, complaining won't change the requirements of the majors. And those who chose to market themselves and worked to meet the hiring requirements will pass you by. And they will thank you for helping to provide the numbers of pilots not hired because they were not competitive.

 

[BCTAv8r]

I don't want to sound like a jerk, but...

Maybe you shouldn't go to college.

If you *only* see it as "something I gotta do" you might not do so well. I'm not saying that you're not able to do it, but if the motivation isn't there, college may be borderline impossible.

There's certainly nothing wrong with not going to college, especially if you're willing to work a little harder during that four years that others are attending college.

Many people only go on to college because it is the "next step" and often what is expected by parents. But like said earlier, a high school degree a few decades ago is equivalent to a bachelors today, so college is almost a must. (If you want to go anywhere).

To be honest, I only started college because it was the next thing to do. I was never to enthusiastic about it. But when I got here that all changed. I honestly enjoy some of my courses like American Gov. and I'm learning a bunch. Plus, the college life doesn't compare to anything. It's great! I'd be missing out A LOT if I hadn't done it.

 

[amorris311]

go to college. it is a phenomenal time!!!!! i mean for me it has been a great thing but for some it is just another step they have to take. no other time in your life will you be able to do whatever you want whenever you want and be looked down on.

 

[staplegun]

I had a lot of fun in college... #^)

I'd give my left ¤ to go back knowing what I know now, heh, heh...

Go!

Kevin

 

[murl]

:yeahthat:

You and me both! I just finished my B.S. and absolutely hated it the first year I was there. Now I am recently out of college and hate that, wishing I could go back. If I didn't need to make money and get a real job I would go back for the heck of it, well beer and girls that is.