Yes, another four year degree post...

[skidz]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Proud to be an Eagle! Ha! You know I still have that keychain?

Another proud Eagle here, I have a led light key chain, would get a bumper sticker too but I hate any stickers on my car, might get a license plate frame though

[skidz]

Originally Posted by athomeinthesky

Bachelor degree is like the new high school diploma anyway, its a requirement for a lot of jobs that don't need it really.

This is so true, as there is inflation with everything, there is also inflation of degrees, when you look 100+ years back people who could read and write were considered educated because most people didn't have any formal education. I think college degree will eventually become standard for formal education like what high school diploma is today. The degrees will probably be easier to get too with flexible scheduling and online classes.

[OldComputerGuy]

Originally Posted by v1valarob

What is a good place online to finish up a 4 year degree? I pretty much have my associates right now.

-Rob

I did mine at Everglades University.

http://www.evergladesuniversity.edu

[falconvalley]

I did mine at ERAU online. I highly recommend it to rated pilots. It has gotten so much better since old days of through the mail. I especially recommend it to people who have GI Bill. I had active duty GI Bill. After GI Bill and "The Kicker", which paid my bills, I had 100% tuition reimbursement throught the WI ANG. I made money in that program. I just Guard Bummed for 2 1/2 years for extra cash. It was...the fine life....

[scramjet]

Yeah, a bachelor's degree IS basically the new high school diploma. Still, I think only something like 20-30% of the US population actually has one. Kinda says something about Americans!

[LoadMasterC141]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Educati..._United_States

[Airdale]

College makes you more rounded, but military service and training does nothing.

[LoadMasterC141]

Truthfully, I became a better person because of my time in the military. No other experience has come close.

I learned more from classes at community college.

I am more recognized in interviews because I did my last two years at an Ivy League school. What did I actually learn there? That I hate a system that favors the rich over the poor.

[jtrain609]

It's funny to me when some people say that college isn't for them.

If college isn't for you, then I'm willing to bet that the study required to be a professional pilot probably means that being a professional pilot isn't really for you.

Just some food for thought.

[aerospacepilot]

Originally Posted by Seggy

Talking to a recruiter at Colgan who is friends with a lot of the recruiters at the majors, they said at a few recruiter meetings at the AIRINC, seminars, etc., it IS unanimous, but by the end of this year ALL Majors/Legacies will require a four year degree.

No if, ands, or buts about it.

Get it.

Originally Posted by Nick

To those reading not convinced that the thread starter advice is legitimate, I recently flew with a captain with 4000 TPIC and 7000TT who is working on his degree online because he hasn't gotten any calls. Four thousand turbine PIC was not enough.

I'm certain many more can provide similar examples

Originally Posted by Seggy

For the High School guys and gals, look into a nonaviation degree in a traditional brick and mortar type of school. The experiences you gain there will prepare you a lot more for this career than getting hired at a regional at 19.

Yes, college is not for everyone, but you are going to need it if you want your career path to take you to a legacy airline.

Originally Posted by Aero_Engineer

You are absolutely right, nowadays you better have a degree.

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I know a lot of guys that have approached me about working for Southernjets. [Delta]

But without the four year, love it or hate it, you have a 0% chance.

Originally Posted by troopernflight

Your degree might have nothing to do with aviation (as is mine), but it shows that you are disciplined and can handle a high workload. I can fully understand why they are wanting Bachelors. It's also good to have a degree in something non-aviation related in the event of a furlough.

Originally Posted by jtrain609

It's funny to me when some people say that college isn't for them.

If college isn't for you, then I'm willing to bet that the study required to be a professional pilot probably means that being a professional pilot isn't really for you.

I would agree with everything said above and more.

No 4 year college degree = No flying for a major airline.

Get it. And getting it at 18 years old at a real college is better than an online degree. (Unless you are already 30 with a family/job, then get it online).

[clearsky76]

Thank God for this website! Before I became a member of it a month ago, it was my plan to go to Flight Safety Academy, take a pre-approved $80k loan at 12%, and NOT have a degree to fall back on. After reading many posts here(and plugging the numbers into a loan calculator at bankrate.com ), I've decided to begin my training at KOSU, my local FBO and get my butt back into school! I have a couple of friends that fly biz jets and regionals and swear to me that a degree is not that important. I was also in a frenzy becuase of the "big hiring spree" going on right now in aviation, and I was afraid I'd miss the boat. I think I'd rather get my degree, and take my time with ratings and be a better rounded and safer pilot. Not to mention having something to fall back on if I can't find gainful employment as a pilot.

A big "Thanks!" to everyone that makes a contribution to JC to help us newbies out!

[skidz]

Originally Posted by Airdale

College makes you more rounded, but military service and training does nothing.

Depends what you do, I've learned a lot in the military as an aircraft mechanic, if someone from civilian world wants to be an aircraft mechanic I don't know how college is going to help him, he'd get to eventually work on some cessnas and maybe a light twin, but in the military you get to work on some real stuff. Same for the other jobs, I wouldn't even know where to start in civilian world if I wanted to be air traffic controller, in the military they bring you up from Joe recruit to a guy who can get out and get a job anywhere as a controller. Military does a lot, even if you're carrying guns and fighting in Iraq it's still an experience that can get you a job as a cop or something real easy when you come back. I believe there are probably some jobs in the military that are hardly transferrable to civilian world, but I think most of them are.

[skidz]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

It's funny to me when some people say that college isn't for them.

If college isn't for you, then I'm willing to bet that the study required to be a professional pilot probably means that being a professional pilot isn't really for you.

Just some food for thought.

I agree on this 100% College is for the most part willingness to learn, if one isn't willing to learn then any job that requires learning is pretty much out of the picture.

[LoadMasterC141]

Originally Posted by skidz

Depends what you do, I've learned a lot in the military as an aircraft mechanic, if someone from civilian world wants to be an aircraft mechanic I don't know how college is going to help him, he'd get to eventually work on some cessnas and maybe a light twin, but in the military you get to work on some real stuff. Same for the other jobs, I wouldn't even know where to start in civilian world if I wanted to be air traffic controller, in the military they bring you up from Joe recruit to a guy who can get out and get a job anywhere as a controller. Military does a lot, even if you're carrying guns and fighting in Iraq it's still an experience that can get you a job as a cop or something real easy when you come back. I believe there are probably some jobs in the military that are hardly transferrable to civilian world, but I think most of them are.

I was not really talking about any job skill learned from the military.

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by Seggy

A lot of guys I know have used UVSC or ERAU to finish the four year degree online. You get a certain amount of credits as well depending on your certificates.

For the High School guys and gals, look into a nonaviation degree in a traditional brick and mortar type of school. The experiences you gain there will prepare you a lot more for this career than getting hired at a regional at 19.

Yes, college is not for everyone, but you are going to need it if you want your career path to take you to a legacy airline.

AND corporate likes it aswell.

[Firebird2XC]

The real irony is that a degree does not prove a person educated or having achieved- just that he or she 'checked the block' for a long enough period.

Am I running down those with diplomas? Not at all. Just saying it's just raising the bar on pedigrees. A college degree is damned expensive- drawing the line with a degree really only raises the economic bar in alot of ways.

Nevertheless, I'm bumping along, working on mine. Just re-enrolled at ERAU online. Nice program that gives credit to rated pilots.

I'll have an associate's (AS) soon. Any weight given to that for an individual with a prior military background as well?

[LoadMasterC141]

Nope..you're still enlisted with a 2 yr degree

[PCL_128]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

It's funny to me when some people say that college isn't for them.

If college isn't for you, then I'm willing to bet that the study required to be a professional pilot probably means that being a professional pilot isn't really for you.

Just some food for thought.

I guess I should just hang it up, huh? After 8 years of professional flying, I'm going to have to just accept that "being a professional pilots isn't really for" me, despite my excellent training record and never having failed a 121 checkride. Without that fancy degree, I just don't have what it takes.

Despite what you seem to think, the reason that many people say that "college just isn't for me" doesn't have anything to do with being unable to study hard and learn complex subject material. Many pilots have gone to work at the legacies over the years and spent entire careers with perfect training records without having spent a single day on a college campus.

Disclaimer: I still recommend that all newbies get a degree, but I don't believe that a brick-and-mortar 4-year school is the panacea that so many graduates like to pretend it is. I hated the idea of a traditional college, but I've enjoyed the distance-learning degree program that I've used. One solution doesn't fit all.

[Airdale]

My point was, that while my fellow high school grads were pissing their parents money away while getting drunk every night on a college campus working on a BS degree - some of us were growing up, fighting wars, doing Law Enforcement, protecting America both overseas, on the high seas and at home. Yet nobody (meaning HR people) gives a crap about that.

"Do you have a degree?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"Because my parents couldn't afford to send me to college, so at the age of 20 I decided to join the service. I proudly served my Country for 4 years, going through countless hours of training and discipline to conduct Law Enforcement, Search and Seizure of Illegal weapons and drugs, Search and Rescue, Environmental Protection and Escorting Naval War Ships. But, I have $50,000 from the military for College that I plan on using."

"OH."



I think every "kid" should spend a few years in the military. They teach you life skills, not have you read a stupid book and write a report on why the author chose to write the book.

[C150J]

Originally Posted by Airdale

My point was, that while my fellow high school grads were pissing their parents money away while getting drunk every night on a college campus working on a BS degree

I did college and law enforcement concurrently and definitely appreciate your service. However, that kind of statement alienates a lot of civilian people who have served in other capacities. Or the group of college students that yearned to equip themselves with knowledge to eventually help society in great ways.

I went to an Ivy League school and saw some of what you're talking about (rich kids being wastes of space), but I saw a whole lot more of scholarship-earning, hard-working kids who wanted to make a difference. ROTC, Americorps, medicine - they're all in that group. Many will do much more than I ever will when it comes to helping out.

Yes, your service should definitely be valued and it's unfortunate that some don't realize how important your work was. Just don't crap on everyone who took a more mundane path to later contribute wonderful things. Not everyone can go out on patrol, and not everyone can wade through medical textbooks.

[OldTownPilot]

What if it takes more than 5 years to get a '4 year degree'? Does that mean I'm super special?

I should get a legacy job just for that.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

It's funny to me when some people say that college isn't for them.

If college isn't for you, then I'm willing to bet that the study required to be a professional pilot probably means that being a professional pilot isn't really for you.

Just some food for thought.

While study is an important part of college, there is plenty more to the experience than just that. Maybe, just maybe there are parts of college aside from study that they don't like.

Now if someone said I didn't like college because of the studying, then maybe you'd be on to something.

Just some food for thought.

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by PCL_128

I guess I should just hang it up, huh? After 8 years of professional flying, I'm going to have to just accept that "being a professional pilots isn't really for" me, despite my excellent training record and never having failed a 121 checkride. Without that fancy degree, I just don't have what it takes.

If I was involved in hiring, and I've been involved in hiring, then having a degree would count for a lot. What can I say, I busted butt through a tough program and learned A LOT about how to study during those four and a half years. Call me an elitist if you will, I'll probably just call you a hack.

Despite what you seem to think, the reason that many people say that "college just isn't for me" doesn't have anything to do with being unable to study hard and learn complex subject material. Many pilots have gone to work at the legacies over the years and spent entire careers with perfect training records without having spent a single day on a college campus.

It doesn't have anything to do with being able to study? Then what is it? You didn't give a follow up to your statement.

Disclaimer: I still recommend that all newbies get a degree, but I don't believe that a brick-and-mortar 4-year school is the panacea that so many graduates like to pretend it is. I hated the idea of a traditional college, but I've enjoyed the distance-learning degree program that I've used. One solution doesn't fit all.

Like flight instructing, the only people that don't advocate it are those that didn't.

Oh wait, you did Gulfstream too eh? Do I need to say much more or are you gonna bury yourself on the next post?

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by JEP

While study is an important part of college, there is plenty more to the experience than just that. Maybe, just maybe there are parts of college aside from study that they don't like.

Now if someone said I didn't like college because of the studying, then maybe you'd be on to something.

Just some food for thought.

You're not giving yourself much to stand on, Jim.

I would call those people anti-social, and if you can't carry on a conversation in the cockpit about something OTHER than aviation then honestly I don't want to be flying with you. College helps develop that.

Or was there another point you were getting at?

[JEP]

Originally Posted by jtrain609

You're not giving yourself much to stand on, Jim.

I would call those people anti-social, and if you can't carry on a conversation in the cockpit about something OTHER than aviation then honestly I don't want to be flying with you. College helps develop that.

Or was there another point you were getting at?

You likened people not liking college to the studying required of a professional pilot. There could be any number of reasons that people didn't like college apart from studying.

Just because one thought that 'college wasn't for them' does not mean that they can't or won't have the study skills required of a professional pilot.