Is there a specific degree that is needed at a major airline or is the requirement for any four year degree?
Scott,
The Majors want to see degrees from legit schools. They don’t care as to the field of study. In fact I always encourage people to get a degree in something other than aviation as a Plan B.
Adam
Scott,
Any college degree will work. The majors just want to know that you can be dedicated to something for four years.
Chris
Why get a degree though? Let’s say I got a degree, and started pursuing becoming an airline pilot. Suddenly I lose my medical and can’t fly anymore. Who’s going to hire me when they see that I have no experience in my degree field and a huge gap? I definitely would have forgotten most, if not all of what I learned. There’s also the factor of time and money. Time and money that could be spent towards becoming an airline pilot. What are your thoughts on this?
I ask because I’m at a crossroads right now. I have about 2 more years of my computer science bachelors degree, and I’ve just realized that I have no interest in doing computer science. The goal I’ve always had in mind was becoming an airline pilot but I’ve just been going back and forth the past couple of years. I’ve finally decided that becoming an airline pilot is what I truly want to do. The problem is, I have zero motivation to continue the degree. Why should I spend my blood, sweat, and tears on a piece of paper that I will never use when I could be working towards what I’m truly passionate about?
The only reason I can think of for getting the bachelors degree is that the majors prefer/require it; however, aren’t there programs like ATP that can streamline pilots to the majors? Or is this not true? I’m confused on this because there’s a lot of conflicting information.
Vince,
ATP streamlines pilots to become flight instructors. From there the CFIs teach the next generation of pilots while they build time for their ATP rating. The regionals provide the training necessary to obtain an ATP license and type rating.
From there it’s pretty much up to each individual to decide how they are to get themselves from a regional to a major. The requirements for a major are actually quite clear. The requirements are listed online for all to see.
Major airlines require/prefer a degree because it shows that the individual can follow through with a commitment and is teachable. There’s still time to choose a different degree or postpone it. A lot of pilots obtain their bachelor degrees online while flying for a regional. Might be something you’re interested in?
If something happens that prevents you from flying and you’re not interested in pursuing a career in the degree you earned, who’s fault is that? What advice do you have for those that received their degrees in aviation management? What’s worse? Getting a degree is something you loathe? Or something difficult to fall back on because of its similarities to the career that just got pulled out from under you?
How passionate are you really? How much experience do you have? At this stage, infatuated probably. Who isn’t? 
But I think I see what you’re trying to say. Your interest in aviation outweighs your interest in CS.
So, finish out your degree or finish it later in something else. Either way, finish. If flying doesn’t work out, you’re going to have to start over anyway no matter which field you choose.
Tory
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Appreciate the reply, Tory. I don’t really buy that idea of the majors preferring/requiring a degree to prove their worthiness. Is going through the extensive training and working at a regional starting from the bottom not enough? Just my opinion though. I can’t change the fact that we’re basically required to have a bachelor’s degree to be competitive when applying to the majors. I probably will push through with finishing my CS degree and perhaps work towards my PPL at the same time. And then I will decide which path to take to get to regionals, whether that be ATP or somewhere else. Again, I appreciate your insight! Thank you!
No problem, Vince.
Whether you agree with it or not, that’s the reality. The airlines also use it as an application filter. No degree? Bottom of the pile. The fact is that so many pilots have a degree that even if an airline says they don’t require one, the applicant with the degree will get a call before the one without.
Tory
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Vince I’m curious what you’re basing your opinion on? As Tory said, you can agree or disagree but it is the reality. I know because I’ve participated in hiring at two airlines. They don’t check your grades or transcripts or even give much thought to the field of study. What they do is electronically sort the application and those pilots that checked YES to the question “Do you have a 4 year degree” go in one pile and those who checked NO go in another. And while they may get to the NO pile it’s not till they’ve gotten through the YES pilot first.
As for your first question when I say Plan B I’m not talking about 30yrs later when you lose your medical, I’m talking about 6mos-2yrs from now when you decide maybe flying isn’t for you or wash out of training. While aviation isn’t rocket science the reality is not everyone can or should be a pilot. Some simply don’t enjoy it. Regardless having a degree in something you enjoy or have interest in, even without work experience, can open more doors than you think.
Adam
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Vince,
You are correct about your degree becoming stale over time, especially in regards to a computer science degree. Like it or not though, the majors will want to see that four year degree, so I would plan on getting one if the majors are your goal.
Chris
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Thanks for the reply Adam.
I phrased that part wrong. I don’t mean that I don’t believe that they require it. I meant to say that I don’t agree with the need to require/prefer it. But it is reality and there’s nothing I can do to change that as you said. The problem is, I don’t really know what else I’m interested in to get a degree for, so I’m kind of stuck in a rock and a hard place. I think my best course of action right now would be to push through with the computer science degree, despite my lack of interest for it. I’ll have to make the best of it whether I like it or not to become an airline pilot, so it is what it is. I appreciate everyone’s insight. This truly helps. Thank you!
I would finish your current degree, no need to get bogged down by changing your major.
Let us know what other questions you have.
Chris
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I agree Chris. I will most likely take the advice of you guys and finish the degree.
I’ll probably have more questions in these two years, but what’s your general view on ATP versus other flight schools/paths? I have heard good and bad things about ATP. For example, many say that ATP is the way to get it all done ASAP. There’s also others that say there are flight schools that do the same thing as fast, but cheaper. And it also sounds like there’s a general consensus that ATP pays their CFI dirt. Also I have a question about ATP’s claimed flows to major airlines. How realistic is the flow to, for example, United?
Thanks,
Vince
Vince,
First a disclaimer. You may not have noticed but in the upper left hand corner (under the AirlinePilot Life logo) you’ll see an ATP logo. This is ATPs forum and all the mentors on here are successful grads and current airline pilots. None of us are trying to sell you on ATP, BUT, we were all where you are at one point, trying to choose a flight school amongst the dozens out there. We all settled on ATP (for a variety of reasons), were all successful and therefore are fans of the program.
I trained with ATP over 16yrs ago. What’s important about that is there was no pilot shortage. Right now things are the best they’ve been in decades (possibly ever). Everyone who qualifies is getting “hired” regardless of where they trained and virtually EVERY flight school in the country has an “agreement or partnership” with some if not all the Regionals because they need bodies. Back when I enrolled that was not the case. Just getting an interview was a HUGE accomplishment let alone getting a job. While doing my research I discovered that ATP was one of the only flight schools that had an agreement with any airline. This was before the 1500hr Rule and ExpressJet (the Regional of my choice) mins varied between 700-1000hrs depending. Because I had trained with ATP I was hired with 500, far less than their posted mins. The reason was because they found that ATP students were capable and prepared to handle the pace of airline training (ATP was created by airline pilots to train airline pilots) while others were not. Fast forward to now and again everyone has relationships, everyone has created a “Airline Pilot Program” but the Regionals are also experiencing higher failure rates than ever. I honestly do not believe I would be where I am (an Capt for a Major airline) if it wasn’t for ATP. To that end ATP has placed over 600 pilots with airlines in the last 12mos alone. There’s no other flight school that comes close to those numbers. While I’m sure there are “cheaper” options, no flight training program is cheap and I’d rather spend a little more for a proven commodity than gamble with a copycat with no history.
As long as I’ve been participating in this forum there have been people (not pilots) trash talking ATP. The truth is that despite what the purple dinosaur and mommy and daddy said not everyone can or should be an airline pilot. It takes a certain amount of intelligence and coordination to do it ATP does a fine job of weeding some people out. That however is a tough pill to swallow and it’s far easier to point a finger at ATP then to accept that perhaps it was the individual themselves but chances are if you can’t keep up with ATPs training you won’t be able to when you get to an airline. It’s not just about getting hired, that’s easy, it’s getting through training that’s tough.
ATP GUARANTEES all successful students an instructor position and there are few other flight schools who do. Are there better paying gigs out there? I’m sure there are and you’re more than welcome to pursue one. Thing is not everyone lives near an airport and maybe there aren’t any you can find. ATP pays a fair wage and if you want to start building hours immediately flying state of the art well maintained equipment ATP has a spot for you. If not go crazy and find something else. Your choice.
Finally I defy you to show me ANYTHING in any ATP literature that talks about a “flow” from ATP to United? There is none nor do they claim one. There are again relationships and you will have the ability to interview with a Regional that has a flow and receive Tuition Reimbursement with as little as 500hrs. That in itself is a pretty great deal but ATP doesn’t make promises they can’t keep and United (one of the largest Major airlines in the World) isn’t going to guarantee any freshly minted pilot a job without you building some time and experience.
Adam
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Again, thank you for the detailed response, Adam. Really appreciate it! I can definitely see why people would talk down ATP due to their own shortcomings. I’ll definitely take all of this into consideration to decide in the future.
Vince
Vince,
All of the mentors on this website went to ATP and instructed there, so are answers are of course based on our experiences. We are also all successful airline captains, so we do have some idea what we are talking about 
ATP has literally turned out tens of thousands of airline pilots over the last several decades, there is not one single other school that can begin to compare. They are very good at what they do and at doing it in an expeditious manner. Are there other places that are a bit less expensive? Maybe, but maybe not. Many schools quote FAA minimums and not the actual flight time that most students need to obtain their licenses. ATP quotes a flat rate that should enable you to obtain all of your ratings. I would be very cautious about small schools. Many of them are good at turning out Private Pilots, but really fail when it comes to the higher level certificates.
ATP does not have flows to any airlines, major or regional. No school does. ATP has hiring alliances with several regionals that in turn have their own flow agreements to the majors. In the case of American Airlines, those flow agreements are relatively tight and should at some point ensure a pilot a place at American. United’s is more of a guaranteed interview program. Check with the specific regionals for precise information on this.
Chris
Thanks for your insight, Chris. It does seem to be that the general consensus is ATP is the fastest path. And I did research up on the regional flow programs and saw United’s regional flow program as well. It’s just that ATP’s description and advertising sounded like they had a flow agreement directly with United.
In terms of the guaranteed CFI job, I’ve heard most people say that they don’t pay enough (as low as $7.50/hr). Would I have an option to be a CFI at somewhere else that pays more? How exactly does this work? And what would you recommend?
Vince,
As I said above, you can instruct wherever you like when the time comes. ATP simply gives you the option. As for pay (and any other questions) I suggest you check ATPs website rather than just listening to others. This is a HUGE and expensive decision, you need to do your research. https://atpflightschool.com/airline-career-pilot-program/guaranteed-cfi-job.html
Adam
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