Hello my name is Jordan Thomas I am 21 years and I am in the military. I been thinking about becoming a pilot since I was 17. I join the military right after high school and I heard this program called ATP flight school from an warrant officer. I been searching the internet and YouTube and what keep popping up is that you don’t need a college degree to become an airline pilot but some major it is preferred. Then I saw that some regionals offer a flow-in or a guarantee interview to some major airline. My long-term goal is to be working for a major airline and I wanted to know if I spend money to this ATP flight school can I work my way up to an major or do I need to have a college degree?
Jordan,
If you’ve been researching this subject you definitely haven’t searched on this forum as we always recommend getting a degree. Is it possible to get to a Major without a degree? Yes it’s possible. It’s also possible to win the lottery but that’s a really lousy retirement plan. You’re in the military, can you become a General without a college degree? Chuck Yeager did so it is possible but he had to break the speed of sound and become a national hero to do it.
The point is while it’s possible you will be severely limiting your options for advancement even with flows (which can be delayed or canceled). To be successful in this industry you should be looking to exceed the minimum requirements, not simply have them.
Adam
Jordan,
The only major that you can currently flow to without a degree is American Airlines. So if you get hired at one of their subsidiaries, you could likely flow to AA without a degree. Keep in mind that would be putting all of your proverbial eggs in one basket. AA is a great company, but you might decide that you want to work someplace else, or maybe they do not hire for awhile.
The good news is that many colleges will give you credit for your flight training and you should have time to work on a degree while you are at the regionals.
Chris
Does it matter what type of degree you have to get to the majors? I am one class away from a BA in information technology/ networking. Thanks in advance.
Tina,
It does not. Only that you have one. Yours will be fine.
Adam
Thanks for the quick response Adam!
Tina,
It does not matter one bit. The majors just want to see a four year degree from a reputable college. The field of study does not matter at all.
Chris
What exactly is a “reputable college?”
Nik,
I would believe a “reputable college” is an accredited college. As Chris said, the type of degree does not matter, in fact will want something that can be used as a backup if something with aviation fell through.
Brady
Nik,
I would look for a college with an actual brick and mortar campus. That does not mean that you cannot attend online, just do so at a school that also has a physical campus. Also, I would stay away from for profit schools like ECPI and find a non-profit, which most traditional colleges are.
Chris