jethikoki

I joined the GUARD as Navigator/WSO and no degree. Just had to promise to get a degree within 8 years after joining. It was a delayed degree entry program.

Something to think about for those that do not have a degree. If we ever get a flow but DAL still has a degree requirement then all expenses for getting a degree are tax deductible since it is a requirement to get the job.

TalkTurkey

Here's the most ironic part of regional v. mainline. Let's say you fly the 200. You have 5 flights today, and an average of 40 pax per flight. Let's see, that's 5x4 and add the zero (college degree stuff)--ok 200 passengers and 2 or 3/5 landings.

Mainline dude flies the 7ER one leg across the country with a load of 168 passengers and gets 0/1 or 1/1 landing.

Nope, I'll; go ahead and say it. Regional pilots PROBABLY have more experience than mainline pilots by way of takeoff/landing cycles, which btw raises our safety exponentially and measurably, and maybe-just-maybe some of us fly more passengers than our superiors, so-to-speak.

Urbandrone

Legal assistant, administrative specialist, most general management positions, operation management positions, sales representatives in most fields, purchasing representatives, insurance underwriter, corporate project manager.... It almost easier to name the jobs that require a specific degree.

Tester130

You'd be foolish to think that what type of degree you get doesn't matter. If all other things were equal between two candidates, but one has a PE degree and the other has an engineering degree, which one do you think they will hire?

You can view the degree as a check in the box if you want, but most companies read a bit more into it. Many want to know how well you did, especially if they are going to invest money into training you. They want to know you have a history of performing well in a training. While physically flying the plane is a monkey skill that just about anyone can learn how to do, knowing all the other aspects of the industry that apply is more book learning. To that end, if you do get a degree in golf or painting, at least you have shown that you can pass a classroom environment and you are a better bet on successfully completing an expensive training program vs the guy who does not have a degree.

TalkTurkey

And don't get me started on situational awareness. I'll keep my comments away from the cockpit and just say, regional pilots stand either in front of or behind their luggage on escalators. Mainline pilots stand beside their luggage so as to not let anyone pass. haha. Go ahead, see for yourself.

madeinUSA

If half of the degree complainers on here took a little time away from Airline Pilot Central each day then they would probably have doctorates by now!

prex8390

I literally have nothing better to do. Haven't gotten called on reserve in over 2 weeks

HighFlight

Some were aviation support (logistics, QC, etc.), but many were not. Most of the jobs I was looking at wanted a degree (any) plus a certain amount of time working in that particular field.

chucknav

I was active duty. Pretty sure there is no delayed degree program for the regular Air Force. I wish I had been smart enough to join the guard first, rather than at the end of my career. Many things are better in The Guard.

Unpilot

I used to be a lurker but registered just to say Bravo this is spot on.
I have a lot of friends that moved on to big brother and can attest to the above statement.