FastDEW

Forget all the guys telling you to stay in college because it is "fun". Some have or had it that way, I didnt. I put myself through college while working full-time. It was NO FUN. I worked as a police officer at nights, went to college during the day and tried to squeeze some flight hours in when I could. They didnt have online 20+ years ago.

If you are in the "fun" category, you might want to finish your senior year on campus. But if you are not, then make darn sure you can work full-time and finish online as well. If you can, then I say do it. You will build valuable hours and get your education done. But DO NOT decide to skip getting a 4 year degree. Only take the regional job if you can still complete your education.

I have a two degrees as well. Didnt plan it that way, but ended up going a little longer. It wasn't fun and I wish I could have built hours up while going to school, instead I arrested drunk guys and low lifes.

Without the college however, I would not be flying the Bus. It was a requirement - no degree, no interview, and that means no job......

Which ever you do, I wish you all the best!

Flyinhawaiian

Finish school and keep flying...regionals will still be hiring in another year. As for the online idea, no way you're going to want to study for hours when you get to the hotel and your crew wants to go out drinking.

Jayhawk 023

A few things to remember regarding some of the advice so far....

First: I would approach any advice about having time 'on reserve' or getting a leave of absence with a very healthy amount of skepticism. Most regionals are now in a state of limited hiring even though they are understaffed on pilots. The odds of getting a VLA approved are pretty unlikely and if your reserve life is anything similar to that our company's reserve pilots, you will simply have very little free time.

Second: As already said, life gets in the way--quickly. I know several our company's pilots, some of them checkairmen, that simply have no better options out there because they never got/finished their undergrad.

Moral of the story: Finish college at college. Have fun and enjoy it--maybe even consider going further and completing a masters program...

Car Ramrod

You callin me dumb?

Maybe you were the type of person that doesn't have the discipline and/or brain power to work and go to school at the same time. Don't feel bad though, some people can't even walk and chew gum at the same time.

Seriously though, it depends on the person. If the poster of the original question is positive he will put in the effort to finish school, then when the majors call he will have his degree... and perhaps his 1000pic turbine. If he stays in college and gives away a year of seniority, then he may have missed an upgrade and a chance at a captain position. Then when the majors call, he will be SOL. If I was in his position, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Why not kill two birds with one stone by getting your degree AND gaining seniority? Heck I was flight instructing my last two years of college. I worked harder doing that than I did at my first regional job.

-Car Ramrod

Car Ramrod

Of course my overall advice is finish your degree, get your masters, and do something other than flying.

Zapata

"Dude", anyone that doesn't have the reading comprehension to see that NOBODY in this thread said anything about not finishing school at all is just dumb. If you read again, carefully, you'll see that those of us with an opposing point to yours advocates both.

BTW; Now you, on the other hand, need to go back to school. This time, pay attention when your teacher is talking about the comma.

Tom a Hawk

Finish college first, man. You wont "miss" the hiring window. And if by some crazy circumstance the regionals are not hiring a year from now it would probably mean that they are furloughing so you would be out of a job WITHOUT your degree.

Is this question because you interviewed with a regional and they offered you a job? If so, make some good contacts there and I'm sure they will want you back in a year with a degree in hand.

If you end up instructing after college just pick somewhere where you get to set your schedule and get the CFII and MEI so you can mix it up and not just beat up the pattern for months on end.

Be a senior, work hard in class and at whatever else you are doing to build time. Good luck!

intrepidcv11

Finish college. This career isn't worth turbo speed anymore. Those that argue seniority is everything at your stage are full of it. Reality is you can get hired at the fastest growing regional with quick upgrades and then five years later wonder why your still in the right seat barely breaking 30K.

Wouldn't take back my 4 years for anything in fact I wish I would of done 4+. So for those that didn't have fun, but I wouldn't trade those years for anything. I was super gitty about this career and had a RJ job within 4 months of graduating. When I look back I don't see accomplishment. I just think big freaking deal...