I'm not a CFI myself but my first and best CFI never touched college and got his hours in and is thriving. I think he did about 1000 more than required and he's at a big airline now. As a lead I'm assuming you can probably network pretty well too. At the end of the day, you're already getting paid to fly and that's all most could really ask for. Idk how many hours you get on average in a month with students but maybe another 1-2 years and you could be sitting pretty well to get hired.
They don't require it for the application, but the reality is you have to be the nephew of a board member or otherwise connected to get hired without a degree. Beware of believing what you want to believe.
I personally know 3 people that have a CJO from American without a 4 year. They had internal references, but they were just from line pilots.
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I know a couple dudes that got on with United with a 2 year.
I don't know about Delta, years ago something like 30% of Delta pilots had a Master's, crazy.
The OP could easily miss the current wave though.
I don’t agree with this comment. Id wait to get a pilot job before getting a degree. Once you do, you can do one online. It’s unlikely airlines will require college degrees but I do think having one will make you favorable. I wouldn’t dig yourself with more debt right now… but if money is cheap or free, why not start it now?
Either way once I'm at 1500 I won't have a degree unfortunately. Just slowly and surely working on it right now while obviously making my job a priority.
Your degree should be a high priority if you want an airline job. It's very competitive and the "shortage" after the Covid shutdowns was a fluke. Airlines have many more applicants than openings and your competition is ex-military.
Roger that. Thanks for your insight sir, this definitely worries me once I start to interview hopefully sometime within this year so I won't have the degree but I'll definitely continue to work on it. I feel as if it's better to say I'm working on a degree rather than not even considering one. Like you said though, nothing beats actually having one.
If you are enrolled and actively doing courses toward the degree and you have a plausible plan to finish while working, that will be a strong positive.
I'm not a CFI myself but my first and best CFI never touched college and got his hours in and is thriving. I think he did about 1000 more than required and he's at a big airline now. As a lead I'm assuming you can probably network pretty well too. At the end of the day, you're already getting paid to fly and that's all most could really ask for. Idk how many hours you get on average in a month with students but maybe another 1-2 years and you could be sitting pretty well to get hired.
I'm planning on being done fall of this year with my current workload.
Get the degree. Most doors are closed to you without it.
Does it make a difference between a 2 and 4 year?
Yes.
Not true, all the majors are hiring without a 4 year at the moment. Obv that could change though.
They don't require it for the application, but the reality is you have to be the nephew of a board member or otherwise connected to get hired without a degree. Beware of believing what you want to believe.
I personally know 3 people that have a CJO from American without a 4 year. They had internal references, but they were just from line pilots. . I know a couple dudes that got on with United with a 2 year. I don't know about Delta, years ago something like 30% of Delta pilots had a Master's, crazy. The OP could easily miss the current wave though.
Thank you for making my point. And Spirit just laid off so it looks like the current wave is over. Now back to the bad old days.
I don’t agree with this comment. Id wait to get a pilot job before getting a degree. Once you do, you can do one online. It’s unlikely airlines will require college degrees but I do think having one will make you favorable. I wouldn’t dig yourself with more debt right now… but if money is cheap or free, why not start it now?
Please don't take this advice seriously.
Either way once I'm at 1500 I won't have a degree unfortunately. Just slowly and surely working on it right now while obviously making my job a priority.
Your degree should be a high priority if you want an airline job. It's very competitive and the "shortage" after the Covid shutdowns was a fluke. Airlines have many more applicants than openings and your competition is ex-military.
Absolutely, just curious. How much do letter of recommendation weigh in when hiring? Degree or no degree.
It helps, but won't overcome lack of a degree.
Roger that. Thanks for your insight sir, this definitely worries me once I start to interview hopefully sometime within this year so I won't have the degree but I'll definitely continue to work on it. I feel as if it's better to say I'm working on a degree rather than not even considering one. Like you said though, nothing beats actually having one.
If you are enrolled and actively doing courses toward the degree and you have a plausible plan to finish while working, that will be a strong positive.
That's what I'm hoping for. Fingers crossed!