oldmako

Felonies didn't stop me.

NCR757dxr

I was told of a guy who was hired in during the last days of the strike in 85. He didn't have one. The strike ended before he could officially cross. He was able to join ALPA soon after the strike ended.

Could have the story slightly messed up because I'm going from memory but I do know he didn't have a degree.

MEMbrain

Aint that hard.... got hired at two majors without one.

flyboycpa

I think the original poster was looking for relevant and RECENT hiring data re: the 4-yr degree. Of course there are people at both L-CAL and L-UAL that have been on property for years without a degree. What matters is what is going on currently.

My experience was that prior to July 2007, Continental didn't require a 4-yr degree in order to be offered a job. Their website always showed that it was "preferred"; however, after July 2007 internally it became "required" to get the interview. I was applying during this period and my sponsor [for lack of a better word] called me the day it changed just to verify that I did indeed have the degree [which I did].

Now, as to whether it is relevant to 121 flying, oldmako, I don't think it is. What I do think it is relevant to is 121 training. I would bet money on the statistics that if a person has the determination to complete a 4-yr degree program (whether basket weaving, nuclear physics, whatever) then you probably have a higher chance of successfully completing a new hire training program than the "silo" of applicants who, for whatever reason, didn't complete a 4-yr degree.

that's my $.02 and I respect the fact that you might disagree

Airhoss

That cuzz James got talent....

Airhoss

Congratulations you are miniscule.

Probe

MEM;
You are obviously well connected. You wouldn't have been called for an interview, by any major, in over 25 years without having those connections.

A degree does not make you a better pilot. It does make you a far better pilot applicant.

LAX Pilot

I have to agree here. There are 10,000+ applicants. They can all fly airplanes. Might as well pick the most educated ones that have spent time trying to improve themselves instead of the ones just looking for a flying job.

satpak77

Great post. I might add that there will never be a "pilot APPLICANT shortage" at the legacies. Not many years ago, lots of folks were MF-ing AA and how they were bankrupt and "lowest pay" and blah blah

Flash forward, 2013, app window is open, we have ??? 10,000 apps on file.

I am pretty sure there are enough college degrees in that pile to fill all the slots AA has.....

oldmako

My comment was a response to the "chicken" post. I don't know what this company wants in a new pilot, other than zero spine, perfect attendance and a hatred for organized labor.

As for this threads topic, I fully realize how important checking that box on the application is. Better than many I'd bet.