kingairfun

I think college degrees are just a bunch of HR bs. I have one, in Criminal Justice, and during my last furlough I applied for the city police department. Aced all the tests and physicals, had been flying for years, had a family and never had been in trouble.( basically a well rounded, respectable adult vs. a 22 yr old kid) I didn't make it for one reason or another. ( I blame it on few spots for hundreds of applicants, and Equal Opportunity standards)

Yet I am allowed to pilot a 265 pax a/c.

My degree has nothing to do with flying and has no bearing on my skills, or knowledge of aviation.

However, Legacy carriers have to have some way of sifting through thousands of résumés. ( the HR effect). Flight times, college degrees, and recommendations are a necessary evil.

LRSRanger

I spent most of my 20's running around the desert doing Uncle Sams bidding. That's my excuse. Now I'm 30 and playing catch up.


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chrisreedrules

I went to college off and on for almost 5 years. I decided to pay as I went because I'm averse to debt and I was barely making any money and working long hours in my early twenties. I've almost got enough random college credits to equal a whole bachelor degree haha. I've almost got 2 separate Associate degrees finished now.

So here's what I did instead of going to finish college. I started a business. I was successful at said business and eventually had 2 storefronts. I lucked out and sold the business at the right time and decided to learn how to fly airplanes. I've also managed to acquire some other assets in the process and now my primary residence is paid off and I have some investment properties. I can honestly say that my money was MUCH better spent NOT finishing college. And now, knowing what I know about real estate, I'd be much better off buying a couple more properties for what I would spend to finish a degree. I also have the privilege of working a second job that involves my favorite hobby and let's me make my own schedule.

College is for certain people. The way the economy and job market is going, I would almost say that it is just as much a gamble as anything else in life. Except with the crushing debt that comes with school nowadays, the stakes are high. I have friends that I grew up with that are welder a and electricians. They make more money than any of my friends who spent the money and time on a 4 year degree, save the small handful that got engineering or medical related degrees.

College does teach valuable lessons and life skills. I'm not discounting the experience by any means. I'm only saying it isn't for everyone, and it honestly shouldn't be considered a barrier to entry for a job that is essentially a technical skill. If you have the means to pursue an education and do so without crushing debt, by all means, DO IT. If you are going to start your life off post-college with a ton of debt, think carefully about it. What was the norm for generations prior does not necessarily mean it is still the same today.

Out Of Trim

No complaining here at all sonny. In fact, you aren't even talking about me because I just retired from another profession a few months ago to try this one. So, I have NO seniority, and didn't enter at a bad time either. In fact, I see being able to fly for money at ANY time as a pretty good time. Yeah, it sucks that I just paid a plumber at my house twice my hourly wage to wrench on some pipes, but that's the way it is. And, I already knew that when I took this job. That's why I don't complain. Obviously the shoe fit with you somehow. Maybe the mommy & daddy thing ... who knows. All I was saying is that complaining about your situation while feeling like the world owes you something is a jacket that seems to fit the younger crowd a helluva lot better than the older ones as you suggest. Nobody is envious of you, they just get tired of hearing constant sniveling about seat upgrade times, flow times to majors, pay levels, etc, etc. If those are all such a problem then quit and go back to mommy and daddy. Grow a pair and just be happy you're a professional pilot.

sweetholyjesus

Mostly irrelevant. I was just showing you how silly your post was by showing you the other side of the coin.

Otterbox

The college vs no college degree is an interesting discussion. Do you guys feel the same way when it comes to paying for a type rating/ training out of your own pocket?

chrisreedrules

You should never pay for a type rating out of your own pocket unless your a career contract pilot. A "hired gun" if you will. That is the only time I would deem it acceptable. Most of the places that require a pilot to pay for their type or to pay for training is not a place where you want to work. If they are trying to be cheapskates about training costs, what else are they being cheap about?