Yes, the subject of continuing education comes up often on this thread as I've seen lately. I'll never understate the value of an education, but the question does surface for me that, if one doesn't have a degree prior to transitioning to the a regional or major airline, does the airline, under their benefits programs, pay for a pilot, F/A, or any other employee's education? Even if I didn't have my degree before being hired, with the increase in distant learning educational programs, attaining a degree is possible. . .not necessarily easy but possible. So, if one wished to pursue continuing education, does the company pay?
Education. . .When & Who Pays
- Thread starter MFT1Air
- Start date
kellwolf
Piece of Trash
That I've seen, not really. I think XJT MIGHT have had a tuition re-imbursement plan for books for their CSAs/ramp agents, but not for the pilots (as far as I know). SWA didn't have anything, and PCL doesn't either.
I'm finishing/finished (depends on what kind of credits I have as of now) my degree on-line, and I've either used government loans or cold hard cash out of my own pocket to fund it.
I'm finishing/finished (depends on what kind of credits I have as of now) my degree on-line, and I've either used government loans or cold hard cash out of my own pocket to fund it.
That's rather disconcerting. With all the advantages of continuing education in order to produce sharper employees, seems as if the airlines, despite the other pressures, would try to ensure a higher employee retainability rate by offering these types of benefits to employees.
Heck, Starbucks does it!
. . .and you're saying SWA doesn't?
BobDDuck
Island Bus Driver
...would try to ensure a higher employee retainability rate by offering these types of benefits to employees.
Heck, Starbucks does it!
Airlines don't want to retain employees. It is much cheaper (outside of flight crew costs) to have people quit after a year and keep everybody a new hire on first year pay. It does tend to kill the quality of customer service and efficiency but that is not a worry to most airlines.
I think you will find that Starbucks is a better employer across the board then most airlines.
kellwolf
Piece of Trash
Having a wife that works for Starbucks, I can definately tell you they KNOW how to treat their employees. They've got some killer benes (health insurance is okay, but not the best as far as co-pays go), and they'll work with you if something comes up. One of her co-worker's house burned down, and Starbucks gave her a fairly decent chunk of cash to help out.
And nope. SWA doesn't have any tuition re-imbursement. I would have been all over that when I was there. They do have a $1000 scholarship for people in flight training that occasionally pops up, but that's sponsored by the pilots at SWA, not the company itself.
And nope. SWA doesn't have any tuition re-imbursement. I would have been all over that when I was there. They do have a $1000 scholarship for people in flight training that occasionally pops up, but that's sponsored by the pilots at SWA, not the company itself.
Italianaviator
Well-Known Member
Its ashame that It's like that but hopefully not for long.
kellwolf
Piece of Trash
There are a very few airlines out there that actually DO want to retain employees. SWA is one of them. The three years I was there, I never really moved up in seniority, and the guy on the bottom STAYED on the bottom. The thing is that with SWA on the ramp, tuition re-imbursement wasn't a highly desired benefit. The profit sharing, annual raises, flight benefits and healthcare were, though.
. . .and I thought that would be the case with SWA. Kinda now wondering, from a pilot perspective, how many of their pilots are degreed. Even moreso, kinda wonder how many were military as well?
WAFlyBoy
Well-Known Member
This would be my guess as well.... and also my assumption as to why education reimbursement is not a pilot benefit.
Education benefits (in any industry) are typically only offered if the education you are getting will improve your job skills with respect to your employment at the company that is offering the benefit. Airlines probably assume (correctly, IMO) that another degree isn't going to make a pilot better at his/her job. At least not better enough to be economically justifed.
With all of the cutbacks and concessions done in recent years, I really doubt that any airline would be offering that. However, if you do find a company that does offer tuition reimburstment, that seems to be a reliable indicator of a great company to work for. I am paying for mine out of my own pocket, charging it to a credit card that offers reward points and then paying it off right away. At least I'll get something out of it.
Another reason the analysts were all crowing about JBLU's low labor costs.
Yeah (at the time) no employees over a few years, no retirements to pay out and lots of money flowing in because of the "LCC" tag.
Niiiice.
WAFlyBoy
Well-Known Member
Airwolf? Dude, seriously....
That's cool.
I'm working my way through the first season. I have to say, cheesiness and brilliance have never come together so perfectly in any other television production. (Possible exception: Kingdom Hospital)
Sorry to be off topic.
Maximilian_Jenius
Super User
My favorite Airwolf episode is the one where their attacked and they actually get hit with a missle. But the missle isn't designed to explode on contact but release a toxic gas into the cockpit to kill the flight crew...classic!
I'm not sure but that might be the only time Airwolf ever got hit by a missle...or hell anything!
Tim
New Member
Delta has changed their over the years. At one time for an A=100%, B=75%, C=50% for reimbursment. Then it went to a flat $2000 a year. When I left I cant remember if they had cut it again or not.
Steve I am like you using uncle Sam's money to enroll and then pay him back later. Looks like though my degree want be as expensive as I thought to finish. Less than 1 yr to go and I can be a Riddle grad like Doug.....but not nearly as famous.
Steve I am like you using uncle Sam's money to enroll and then pay him back later. Looks like though my degree want be as expensive as I thought to finish. Less than 1 yr to go and I can be a Riddle grad like Doug.....but not nearly as famous.
WAFlyBoy
Well-Known Member
Yeah that episode is classic. Arc Angel was co-piloting "The Lady" that day and he beat the gas-missile out of the fuselage with his cane!! LOL I love that dude's eyepatch. And how he brings a highball along for the ride. Nothing like a booze 'n cruise in a Mach-plus chopper. Freakin' sweet.
We should start an Airwolf thread.