Bbourne2009

I aspire to one day be a cheif pilot / director of flight ops. How important is having a masters degree to get into that?

galaxy flyer

An MBA can be helpful. The Director of Aviation reports to a V-P; nearly always an MBA-type. You need to speak the language, understand aviation law, FAA regulatory environment, be a leader of people and manager of assets worth millions. Not absolutely essential, but a big help.

I wish I had now, but too late. My boss doesn't have one, btw.

GF

NowCorporate

Likely not a requirement, but any higher education is a good thing IMO - especially if your employer pays for it.

While it works great for me, beware that in many larger operations a management role means you may not fly very much. Be sure that an office type gig is what you want.

7700

Graduated-92 with very expensive aviation degree.

Instructed for 2.5 years. Way dangerous, made no money, had a blast and met great people.

Then had an 18 year corporate career. 8 jobs with 6 type ratings and sprinkled contract work. Awesome jobs with incredible people and great equipment and experiences but made almost less than no money and several failed retirements. Never went a day without a paycheck but always lived paycheck to paycheck.

At 41 started flying cargo and almost lost my house during "training pay and probation year". Now I make more money than I can count but told I am a spoiled 1%er and need to share it with strangers. Which after taxes is slightly better than paycheck to paycheck. My awesome benefits, retirement and healthcare are under daily attack. But I work for an awesome company with incredible people and gigantic aircraft.

I have had an incredible run but know I am lucky and this is not what I expected 25 years ago when I started.

FlyFastLiveSlow

Seems popular to demonize people with large salaries these days. Nobody points out that most worked really hard for years to get those jobs. They also spend those large salaries at businesses that employ fellow Americans. I wish we would go back to the land of opportunity...

7700

I just don't know how many Doctors we would have in this country if a Residency lasted 25 years. I always thought I wouldn't mind taxes if I made this kind of money but after so many years you have a very short amount of time to pay for your kids education and prepare for retirement.

Lucky8888

I would certainly agree with Galaxy Flyer and NowCorporate. All of our pilots have at least a B.S. degree (a hiring requirement). A Masters isn't all that important, IMO. As has been said; you have to "talk the talk" and appreciate the overall goals and objectives of the company as our pilots are every bit as important as our other employees. In our case, the CP is a company VP and reports to the CEO (me).

Otters

Hi,
Not sure what old is but I probably qualify.
Graduated UND
7 years USAF KC-10's(4 years in the reserves as well)
12 years UAL
-727
-737
-DC10
-777
-A319/320
Instructed about 8 of 12 years there.
Now flying G550/V for a Dow 30 Company

Bbourne2009

So is it safe to say the 121 to 91 myth is not true then regarding companies not wanting to hire airline pilots.

BoilerUP

Depends on the personal biases of the DO/CP of any given operation.