Getting to the Career...

V

voltage1256

Well-Known Member
Hello Everyone,

I am currently a student at a Part 141 University and am curious as to how much of a roll they truly play in hiring and "fast tracking" into an airline flying career. I am currently considering transferring and getting a degree in something completely seperate than aviation. I want to get my EMT and Pre Hospital Emergency Medicine Degree. I am currently a volunteer fire fighter and my second greatest passion to that of aviation has become emergency services. As are all parents concerned with their child's decisions I feel confident that getting a degree in something other than aviation, yet still going on to get all the necessary training in a Part 61 setting will eventually land me in the same seat as anyone else but my parents are wondering if my thought process is correct. The way I am looking at it, I am leaving myself with a college degree and two career choices. You are the ones sitting in the seat I've looked at since I was 3 years old. I appreciate any advice you can give me on the situation from the bottom of my heart.

Does a non-aviation related degree yet all the necessary hours and training impede on the career choice of flying for a 121 carrier?

Best Regards - J
 
While I am not an employee at a 121 carrier, I just thought I would make one comment. In the long run, I feel like a degree in aviation will not matter. Due to the recent changes to first officer hiring requirements, there may be the potential for someone who attends an accredited aviation college to have reduced hiring minimums. As the proposed rule-making suggests, someone who attended an avit college could get hired with a minimum of 700 flight hours versus a part 61 pilot who would be required to have 1500 hours. But again, that is just proposed rulemaking.

All the best and good luck with your decision.
 
middies10 I appreciate the prompt response! As it stands right now these "reduced hiring minimums" as it has been displayed to us were a suggestion of the accredited schools. I went to a meeting about the NPRM and congress/ FAA are requesting that said 141's have a level C simulator and they would consider reducing the minimums and as you can imagine (they would rather not be purchasing a Level C). As to my knowledge on the subject (which is little in the scheme of things) It's one of the reasons I want to go for Airline pilot full steam ahead and yet have it on the back burner at the same time as little sense as that makes. I'd like to find myself with my paramedic degree and be working on ratings taking my time. I planned on finishing my PPL ASEL here and once that was done exercise it, work on my achieving my degree and once things there are "smooth sailing" continue on to other ratings.
 
with 57% of college grads out of work, I wonder how long it'll be until the next generation decides college isn't necessary for all jobs and instead fulfills 4yrs of hands on experience rather than college. Maybe that college degree will no longer be required if this post grad unemployment rate keeps up?

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nocturnalaviator said:
with 57% of college grads out of work, I wonder how long it'll be until the next generation decides college isn't necessary for all jobs and instead fulfills 4yrs of hands on experience rather than college. Maybe that college degree will no longer be required if this post grad unemployment rate keeps up?

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edit: 57% of those unemployment attended college

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You do not need an aviation related degree to have a successful career as an airline pilot. You also do not need to be a part 141 student either. All the airline really looks at is: 1) Does the applicant have at least a 4-year bachelor's level degree? 2) Does the applicant hold the required pilot certificates and flight hours/experience?

If you can answer YES to both of those questions, you should have no problem, provided you don't have something in your work/criminal/checkride history that will come up to cause problems.
 
I highly encourage to pursue your second passion and obtain your EMT or paramedic license. I am 121 pilot, and I am a firefighter in the Air national Guard, and I love it. Having the paramedic degree will be a great back up. And as you progress in your aviation career, instructor and as a line pilot for an airline you can pick up per diem shifts at an ambulance company to keep yourself current and make some extra money for yourself on the side.

Ever think about just getting your RN?
 
Thanks nocturnalaviator! please keep the input coming guys! Blee256 I haven't really thought about the RN side of things, my passion lies at flight level but I also love being "code 3." I was however considering after medic, a bachelors in emergency management to go along with it and all the flight ratings. From what I have been told when the time comes for a 121 carrier they enjoy coming across people with backgrounds other than aviation as well because its a different perspective. I also think being involved in EMS or Fire builds great people skills, a better understanding of dealing with the public, and of course problem solving and safety!
 
I think getting the degree/training in EMT is a great fall back/addition to having a flying career. The degree checks an important square for the best jobs in the biz. The airlines could care less where you trained or what your degree is in.
 
DE727UPS said:
I think getting the degree/training in EMT is a great fall back/addition to having a flying career. The degree checks an important square for the best jobs in the biz. The airlines could care less where you trained or what your degree is in.
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Not to be ignorant, but honestly then why is it required?
 
Having a degree shows the HR folks you are teachable.

Many, many pilots have flunked initial classes, which costs several thousand dollars per ass in the seat.
Someone brain stormed having a BA/BS degree improves the pass rate.
 
Nark said:
Having a degree shows the HR folks you are teachable.

Many, many pilots have flunked initial classes, which costs several thousand dollars per ass in the seat.
Someone brain stormed having a BA/BS degree improves the pass rate.
Click to expand...

Fair enough.. sigh not to hijack the thread but does 2yrs count? (Riddle mistake) debt and can't afford to finish at the moment. Would high logbook totals and aircraft training/types change change their view on being teachable? Or will the majors not budge? Thoughts?

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nocturnalaviator said:
with 57% of college grads out of work, I wonder how long it'll be until the next generation decides college isn't necessary for all jobs and instead fulfills 4yrs of hands on experience rather than college. Maybe that college degree will no longer be required if this post grad unemployment rate keeps up?

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2
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You can reduce your student loan debt by getting four years of hands-on experience WHILE getting your four-year degree, just sayin'.
Nark said:
Having a degree shows the HR folks you are teachable.

Many, many pilots have flunked initial classes, which costs several thousand dollars per ass in the seat.
Someone brain stormed having a BA/BS degree improves the pass rate.
Click to expand...
Yep.

You can rage against degree requirements, or just go get one. Hell, I have a BS in computer science and a BA in political science—none of that has ANYTHING to do with moving an airliner (well, okay, it's a very politically involved business, but still, not from my seat). State universities are wonderful things.
nocturnalaviator said:
Fair enough.. sigh not to hijack the thread but does 2yrs count? (Riddle mistake) debt and can't afford to finish at the moment. Would high logbook totals and aircraft training/types change change their view on being teachable? Or will the majors not budge? Thoughts?
Click to expand...
No and no, respectively.
 
voltage1256 said:
Does a non-aviation related degree yet all the necessary hours and training impede on the career choice of flying for a 121 carrier?
Click to expand...

No. I don't have an aviation degree and I've had two different airline interviews and I was hired at both with less than the minimum hours. (no internal recs)
 
Well guess ill just have to go deeper in debt then and hope for the best. Or else keep digging ditches the rest of my aviation career.

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In short:

Get a degree in something else as a backup plan...

Stay away from debt!

Don't read into hiring agreements with flight schools too much, a lot of 61 schools also have these "agreements." Its really just a big flashy way to rope more people in... the truth is the airlines hire who they want, when they want, how they want... and these agreements have no legal bearing. Just follow the rules, be safe, build your flight time and you'll get there.

Good luck!
 
DE727UPS said:
I think getting the degree/training in EMT is a great fall back/addition to having a flying career. The degree checks an important square for the best jobs in the biz. The airlines could care less where you trained or what your degree is in.
Click to expand...

X2 to that. I have non aviation degrees and no regrets about doing it that way. A lot of guys and gals in flight deck do have aviation degrees and that's ok too, but if the nursing/EMT stuff is a passion of yours I would most definitely pursue it. It won't matter to HR departments at the airlines.

Just speculating, but that sort of degree is a bit unique and might make your application stand out. Plus it will entitle you to open and use all of the cool stuff in the emergency medical kits all 121 birds carry. Personally I've been gunning to jab someone with an epi pen. :D
 
I believe that for many, the aviation degree the most effective method to finance their flying careers. Otherwise they might pursue other degree options, outside of building time and getting ratings.
 
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