Is the Bachelor Degree a MUST?

M

MarNas

Well-Known Member
I have one question to do to you, american pilots! =D
Is a degree programme a MUST in the USA to get a job in a major airlines?
If yes, a two year degree or a four year degree?

PS.
I have no intention to find job in the USA, except as Flight Instructor, as I am an European guy. But I win a Green Card why not!?:D
Although I may be interested to attend a College or University as it is a good thing for a pilot in Europe as well.

Many thanks in advantage!
 
More or less.

You have no idea how many good people don't qualify for certain jobs for lack of having one.

Yes you can fly an airplane with a 4th grade education.

Yes you can be well-rounded and dropped out of high school.

But the best jobs in aviation are very competitive and highly sought-after and one way of saying you're not dedicated to being hired by an employer is by not meeting their minimums. (well, more or less)
 
It's all supply and demand. Too many pilots in America. The HR people need to pick the best candidates from the 20,000 plus resumes. If I were in your shoes and money wasn't an issue, I would go to party university. The girls will love your Italian accent. :beer:
 
ackeight said:
Majors yes. 4 year. That goes for any higher level flying job.
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I would strongly disagree. I know plenty of pilots, including myself, old and young, hired during this new era, flying good equipment for good pay in well respected part 91 flight departments without a 4 year degree.

That being said, unless you have a very compelling reason, or an offer for a G550 type next week, there is no reason not to get it, but if you don't it's not the end of the world.
 
jspeed87 said:
It's all supply and demand. Too many pilots in America. The HR people need to pick the best candidates from the 20,000 plus resumes. If I were in your shoes and money wasn't an issue, I would go to party university. The girls will love your Italian accent. :beer:
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Hey it could be an idea!
Well, I already thought of going to an university to get the licence and a Bachelor Degree once, but the matter is the admission as I have no idea how it works, and VISAs.

I heard that Flight Safety Academy at Vero Beach has many Degree Programs, is this true?
I know also Embry Riddle and many friends of mine said me it is the most expensive! Is this also true?

I'd really like to get a flight licence + a Bachelor Degree (maybe in managment as I am strudying finance and marketing at school). What could be an avarage prive of all the package?
 
Look at it this way...

Yes, you can still obtain a very desirable flying job, but there will be less opportunity. The old saying, the only way you can guarantee to not get hired is to not apply, and if a degree is a requirement, well your sort of screwed.

Forget flying though...There is a lot to be said about moving out of mommy and daddys, having responsibility, and living on your own with people you may or may not like, or are comfortable with. I dropped out of college with 119 of 122 credits completed for a flying job...I am very happy that I have a great job right now, but man, do I regret not taking that last stinking class, and I can promise you, it only gets harder to go back and finish as the time goes by.

If I were you i'd start to look into schools that have a gigantic football stadium, and where girls wear tank tops and shorts year round.

=)
 
I think many underestimate the importance of a four-year degree. Yes, you need one if you want to work at a major. Can't speak for the Part 91 corporate jobs, since that's much more about who you know.
 
A lot of airlines require them, a lot don't.
It's not been a hurdle to me at this point and probably won't be at my next 121. That being said that airline will not be where I retire from. I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel on my associates and looking hard for a smart woman to marry so she'll finish by BS for me.Any one with a math savy JapAnese wife looking for part time work 8 months out of the year taking online classes?
 
In a recent DAL newhire class of around 30, 8 people had a masters degree and one had a doctorate.

Unfortunately the BS is the new GED. ;-)
 
ZapBrannigan said:
In a recent DAL newhire class of around 30, 8 people had a masters degree and one had a doctorate.

Unfortunately the BS is the new GED. ;-)
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There's a lot of truth to that. Oftentimes I'm the only guy with a BS in the cockpit.

To everyone else: A BS around my airline is almost like a GED whereas a lot of guys have advanced degrees.

At least at my airline, if you have a bachelors, you can check the box and move on. If you don't have at least a bachelors degree, you will absolutely not be considered for employment.

This profession is absolutely "nuts". If you're furloughed from an airline that didn't require a degree, you might find yourself where the only airline hiring requires a four year degree. You really don't want to be that CMR captain that left high school, went straight to the academy and may get furloughed when Delta is hiring and requires that degree you didn't think you need.

My best advice in this profession is to prepare yourself to take advantage of every career opportunity and have a "Plan B".

I happen to be of the opinion that a solid four-year degree from an economical state university is the way to go.

Don't spend 40 years of your career bemoaning your career limitations.
 
Doug Taylor said:
There's a lot of truth to that. Oftentimes I'm the only guy with a BS in the cockpit.

A BS around my airline is almost like a GED whereas a lot of guys have advanced degrees.

At least at my airline, if you have a bachelors, you can check the box and move on. If you don't have at least a bachelors degree, you will absolutely not be considered for employment.
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Looks like I'll be starting that online MBA soon then....blast!

If you have the opportunity why would you not earn the boxcheck? It would be one thing if there were a national senority list but most of us will bounce around a bit until we have some quality time under our belts.
 
esa17 said:
Looks like I'll be starting that online MBA soon then....blast!

If you have the opportunity why would you not earn the boxcheck? It would be one thing if there were a national senority list but most of us will bounce around a bit until we have some quality time under our belts.
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A couple of thoughts:

Some airlines, much to my surprise, don't see online degrees counting on the same level as in-person, sit-in-classroom degrees. That kind of blew me away when I heard that but I guess preferences are preferences. I presume it's less of a stigma for advanced degrees degrees though. Hopefully it 'checks the box' for a competitively-qualified applicant and doesn't negate.

On the other hand, with the oft-assumed "ease" of obtaining a bachelors degree through online or distance learning, now there's probably even less of an excuse for not having one when it comes to the application filtering process.
 
From who I have talked to and the pilots I know. If you want to fly 91 an education doesn't matter. It is all about who you know, not what you know or how good you are.

I know the reason I landed my 135 job is because I have a 4 year. That is why my resume was on the top of the stack and why I got to interview first. It is an easy way to weed though hundreds/thousands of resumes. Once you are in the system it is about experience. But it is really helpful at getting you a good start on your career.
 
walljer said:
If you want to fly 91 an education doesn't matter. It is all about who you know, not what you know or how good you are.
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I don't believe this is true at most Fortune 500 flight departments. These jobs open so infrequently that qualifications for hire often far exceed airline requirements.
 
Doug Taylor said:
A couple of thoughts:

Some airlines, much to my surprise, don't see online degrees counting on the same level as in-person, sit-in-classroom degrees. That kind of blew me away when I heard that but I guess preferences are preferences. I presume it's less of a stigma for advanced degrees degrees though. Hopefully it 'checks the box' for a competitively-qualified applicant and doesn't negate.
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I'm wondering how they tell, or even if they care, it's an online degree if it comes from a brick and mortar university? My wife finished her MAC online and it worked really well for her and her schedule.
 
MarNas said:
What does BS stand for?
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Bachelors of Science.

In the US we have "Bachelors of Science" and "Bachelors of Arts".

BS/BA is basically indicative of having earned (or cheated your way through) a four year degree program at a University.
 
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