Hello, I just got accepted to ATP at the Denver location. I’m very excited as I got accepted without a degree because I have 5+ years aviation experience. However, I’m concerned that I wont be able to apply at certain airlines because they might require a 2 or 4 year degree. The last thing I want is to spend a ton of money at ATP then still need college classes afterwards. Has anyone graduated from ATP and gone on to work at a major airline like United eventually without a degree? Thank you in advance for any information!
Chris,
You will not need to have a degree for the regional airlines, you will most likely need one for the majors. There are of course pilots that have gotten hired at the majors without degrees, but they are very few and far between. If your goal is a major airline, I would make sure that a four year degree is in your future. And forget about two year degrees, they are a half way there certificate.
Chris
As bummed as I am to read that I’m sure glad it’s all clear now before I got too invested with ATP. I really do appreciate your response and your time!
Chris,
Frankly I’m surprised having gotten to the point where you’re enrolling that you’re surprised. This question is covered in the FAQ section and gets asked and answered daily. Failure to obtain a 4yr degree can and will seriously impact your career.
Adam
Yeah I’m definitely not to the point of enrolling I just did an admissions flight is all. I was told by a few people that major airlines didn’t necessarily require a 4 year degree but didn’t know how rare it is to get hired on without one. I’m already close to a associates so it shouldn’t be too bad.
I’m in the same situation as Chris, I currently have 10 years working experience as a flight attendant for AA and I was told by ATP that a degree is NOT needed to work for majors since you’ll be placed in the flow trough program and currently on average a person stays in the flow through program about 4/5 years. Now either ATP is just trying to get me to spend the money and join or someone one here is misinformed. I’ve read on many forums that a degree isn’t needed and once you’re in the flow through program you only interview once. If anyone has more info please let me know because I’m about to make a huge decision regarding my life not just financially but also I would be giving up on my 10 year career with AA and starting from scratch at 33 yrs old so its definitely a big concern on my end. Thank you.
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Hey Luca, I’m in almost exactly the same situation a you are - 33 y/o 10 years senior FA trying to make that same decision! Would love to talk more… Matt
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Luca,
No one is lying and yes it is possible to get hired by one of AAs Regional partners and participate in a flow without a degree. Here’s the problem, you’re literally putting all your eggs in that flow basket. Right now they may be quoting 5yrs for the flow but that is absolutely not guaranteed. Depending on many factors it could take considerably longer. Flows can also be canceled. You could simply get a bad taste in your mouth and change your mind that AA is not where you want to go. You could have an incident or accident at the Regional which would invalidate the flow or maybe after doing all your training the Regional with the flow simply doesn’t hire you.
What I’m saying is if for any of a dozen reasons the flow doesn’t happen what then? If you’re an FA for 10 years you should have some idea how things change in this industry and options are always a good thing. If you’re content with not having any it’s your dice to roll. Me I like options.
Adam
What I’m saying is
So pretty much going into this career without a degree is a huge risk. This isn’t how it was explained to me from ATP over the phone AND in person when I went to visit 2 different locations. Honestly there would be no way that I could afford ATP’s loan PLUS a 4 year degree loan. It would be a financial suicide on my end. This really hurts. I had my hopes up. But I do appreciate your honesty Adam. You tell it how it is. ATP should learn from that.
ps: hey Matt if you want to get in contact with me email me at aquilotti1@hotmail.com
my email is aquilotti1@hotmail.com if you like to get in contact with me. we’re pretty much in the same exact situaton .
Luca,
I really wouldn’t say it’s a HUGE risk but it can definitely limit your options. This career can be incredibly rewarding but you do need to have your eyes open. I also wouldn’t “hurt” quite so bad. Let’s go a little deeper.
First off there is the chance you can get a flow and all is G. Again I wouldn’t put all my eggs in the flow basket but it’s def possible. But as I said above if it doesn’t happen honestly life at the Regionals really isn’t that bad. Don’t misunderstand I’m stoked I made it to the Majors but if I hadn’t my life was still pretty good. I got paid pretty well (low 6 figures) to fly a really nice airplane with some really nice people all around this country.
Second flow or not there are people who are hired without degrees. You’d probably have to wait considerably longer than others but later is better than never and it can happen.
Finally no one wants you to commit financial suicide. How about you get trained, get hired at a Regional agreed while you’re there you pursue an online Aviation degree. There are schools that will give you a fair about of credits for your licenses and ratings cutting down on the cost and time. I know quite a few people who went this route and were very successful.
That all said Luca this career requires a huge amount of dedication and hard work. If you truly aspire to fly you shouldn’t be so easily discouraged. I don’t believe anyone at ATP was trying to be dishonest or “sell” you. I’ve just been doing this a while and have learned a few things.
Adam
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Another thing to keep in mind is this:
https://atpflightschool.com/airline-career-pilot-program/college-credit.html
If you already have a considerable amount of college credits that are transferable (i.e. you didn’t take Beer Pong 101 for 6 semesters straight), you can transfer those credits and add them to the ones granted by Utah Valley or Embry Riddle. That leaves you with about 4-6 semesters of coursework you’d need to get a BA, which is manageable to get accomplished online. Food for thought.
Luca,
If you called ATP and asked what your options are without a degree, they were correct in telling you about the flow through to AA. The problem is that is your only option. Think about it, you are trying to get into a career where captains easily make $300k+ per year, you are going to need a degree for that type of job.
I wouldn’t be so quick to write off the whole degree option either. Take a look at the link that Sergey posted.
Chris
This was really helpful Adam!! Luca I do agree that if this is something you want to pursue and is your dream, don’t let it stop you. Also, don’t forget sometimes having great experience is what people look for as well over a degree which Adam is saying is possible.
If not, once into regional making money and/or going into Tuition reimbursement program that will help pay a bit of your tuition will allow you to get a online degree or atleast start towards it. While you fly regional for 4 to 5 years should give you enough chance to go for Majors. I am saying this as I am in same boat as you but definitely as Adam said even at regionals having a low 6 figure job isn’t too bad as long your happy flying. I apologize for long message.
Let’s be very clear here, the chance of getting to a major without a degree is extremely slim. Like it isn’t going to happen. All regional pilots have experience, much of it the same. The majors look to people with degrees.
I would suggest using your time at the regionals to work on a degree online and not hoping to be that fraction of a percentage that gets hired without.
Chris
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Yes Chris, I do agree! Once with regional then I can spend time to get a degree. It seems like a link that you, Adam or Tory posted has online classes and the time spent at ATP counts as transferred credit hours so you can be ahead of program. My goal will be to finish ATP and then also start online courses to finish a degree to get to majors.
Certain colleges offer degree programs that will allow for credits to be given for flight training. Here is the link you spoke of:
https://atpflightschool.com/airline-career-pilot-program/college-credit.html
Thank you Chris, this is intriguing to me. Allows to finish ATP then pursue degree while working. As mentioned some of them offer 30 to 35 credit hours for your training.
Hi everyone,
When you talk about a degree, can you clarify? Are we talking about an aviation/aeronautics degree, specifically? I’m a 45 YO considering becoming a pilot. Have a 4-year undergraduate degree and also a Masters degree…neither of which are in a related field… don’t want to waste time. Additionally, is it realistic to aspire to a Captain position on a major, given my age of 45 and the retirement of 65?
Thanks !