I’m sorry but I don’t think you’re listening. Brady stated it VERY clearly.
“Everyone that I met has at minimum a bachelor’s degree, some CFIs and others just working on their training”.
The fact is none of the Major airlines list a 4yr degree as a requirement, yet Chris said he’s never met a single pilot at UA that didn’t have one. You can apply to the Aviate without one they say that BUT they don’t say you’ll be on equal footing with the dozens of pilots who already have one. Not everyone that applies gets a slot right and they say you must have a degree by the time you start. If they have 50 slots to fill and 50 pilots they know already check all the boxes, why would they risk one of those slots on someone who doesn’t and might not? They wouldn’t. Minimum requirements are just that, the minimums. But if you were hiring someone for a job would you want someone who just meets the mins or someone who exceeds them?
Yeah Adam, to answer your question it is certain that you would want to hire someone with a bachelors over someone who doesn’t. But there are some cases work experience does count for a bachelors, and even if you do not have one I’m sure your energy and motivation for an interview and a good story could get you in as well.
There are a lot of gray areas here. The website clearly states minimums of high school diploma or GED. I was just merely asking the question do they even consider you for an “interview” even if you don’t have a bachelors. Like I said, it’s a gray area.
So the reason for this is that I’m just trying to get the facts. Not gossip or rumors. But the fact. website states minimum requirements for an interview. Brady Fries mentioned all he saw were only people with bachelors degrees. So it does answer my question on what is needed for an interview. So if I apply with a high school or GED, which is the “minimum requirement” and I go to an interview, are they going to tell me that I need a bachelors? You see, there seems to be a gray area there. And that’s what I am trying to figure out, so I can plan strategically. I need all the facts to do that. Do they accept applicants without a degree at the interview? has it been done before? Facts.
I honestly think you’re over complicating this. It’s a matter of supply and demand. Before the pandemic the pilot shortage was raging. Demand high, supply low. The result was people the airlines would never look at (DUIs, busted checkrides, etc) got a shot because there simply weren’t enough bodies and the bar came down. A friend of mine in hiring at a Regional told me “right now if you’ve got 1500hrs and a pulse you’ll get hired”. Then the pandemic hit and all hiring ceased. Things are starting to come back and the interviews are as well but there are a whole lot of pilots who’ve been sitting around and not many slots. Demand low, supply high. That means the bar gets raised.
Long short you won’t know for certain if they’ll give you an interview until you’re ready and apply. As I said if they don’t it’s really not the end of the world, you can simply apply again later or look for another route.
Ok, so to let everyone know. I have done the research to help with my path to make it to United Airlines. I’ve had to change my plans when it comes to college degree but here it is:
Get a bachelors degree at American Public University. They are very fast track, tuition is cheap, and United Airlines does not care what you pursue as a bachelors degree, but they do require that you have a bachelors. I am taking mine in communications, but whatever you prefer as well is just as good. United Airlines emphasizes that communication is key when it comes to team development and it’s one of the required skills they look for.
As for me, get my degree, join ATP flight school in Arlington, TX, then smooth and easy transition over to United Express Carrier as part of the Aviate program with United. I hope this helps!
Yes, technically you can get an interview with Aviate without a college degree. A few things here though, first, that is an interview for Aviate, not United Airlines, it clearly states on their website that a college degree is required before transitioning to United proper. Second, just because a high school diploma is listed as the minimum, does not mean that they will give you an interview for Aviate without a college degree. In fact, they probably will not.
There are almost no cases where work experience counts for a bachelor’s and energy and motivation do not make up for it either. United has tens of thousands of applicants, most of them have college degrees, all of them are motivated and have energy. I believe you mentioned military experience, that does not make up for a college degree either. United will have thousands of applicants from the military, all of them officers with college degrees, many of them with military flight time. There is zero reason for them to hire somebody without a degree.
I looked up American Public University. They are a for profit college who has had accreditation issues and been investigated by the state of Massachusetts. I think it is a fair statement that they are not a well respected college in any way. The airlines want to see a degree from a respected institution, not a paper mill.
You seem to be looking for short cuts, there are none. The major airlines want well qualified pilots with plenty of experience and college degrees. There is no way around that, nor should there be.
Your plan looks good on paper, but I encourage you to keep an open mind along the way. It’s okay to have a preferred airline, but the reality is that there are so many unknown factors that can derail you from ever making it to your preferred airline or it make take a few extra steps than the ones you’ve laid out which is why we’ve been trying to get you to see the bigger picture but you are determined to do it your own way.
Between all the mentors here we have decades worth of combined mentorship. I am beginning to notice that when you receive an answer you don’t like to hear, the harder you try to convince us that your plan is better.
Adam is by far the best mentor on the forum. His responses are always well thought out, informative, and sprinkled with humor. When his tone dramatically changes like it just did that’s your indicator that he’s giving you an opportunity to adjust your approach.
I see no benefit for you to try to convince us that you’ve got it all figured out. We’re just trying to help you see the bigger picture. We promise we won’t steer you wrong, but we can’t steer you anywhere if you won’t let us.
ok but take a look at this video Chris. Ride Report: United Aviate℠ — A Clear Path to United. - YouTube
It’s an Aviate recruiting video with ATP. The HR lady from Aviate, just mentions that you need a bachelors. They go over this in the video pretty extensively. And it is mentioned, that only a bachelors is required. Online or on campus, aviation related or non-aviation. It did not matter. Just as long as you have a bachelors degree.
APU provides a bachelors degree. They are accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC) ([www.hlcommission.org]). I’m not saying major airlines do not have a preference how good or legitimate a school it, but if you watch the video from United Aviate recruiter, She says it does not matter what you get, as long as you have a bachelors degree. And to me, that’s all that matters. Regardless if it is from APU.
We are all trying to impart our knowledge and experience on you. I know what companies say, but I also see what they do. You seem very resistant to hearing what actual pilots have to say.
It really does not matter one bit to me which path you go down. I wish you the best and look forward to hearing how it works out.
Right Chris and I’m listening. I am currently enrolling in courses with Embry Riddle for Aeronautics degree. I’ll start classes April 19th. I was thinking of switching over to the APU side because of getting students to their bachelors cheaper and faster.
So now I know thanks to you guys. I appreciate the advice. It has definitely helped me out.
Switching gears here. When exactly were you planning on enrolling at ATP? Do you have a plan to apply for your first class medical? Have you taken an intro flight yet?
Nope nothing yet. I’m working in Afghanistan as a US contractor. I’ve started contracting since 2007. I’m 38 years old. Been working in warzones my whole life. God Bless America.
But, to answer your question sir, it seems like I will have to complete a bachelors degree with Embry Riddles, I should be able to go there. I really want to secure this Aviate interview, and I’m sure ATP will try to make me fly for another regional company, but that’s not my plan. So I will do 2 years degree here, just save a lot of money, by the time I am 40 years old, I will quit my quarter million dollar job a year here and pursue ATP in Arlington Texas, then apply for Aviate with a degree, and short time over to flying with United Express carrier with them.
So I will try to take the first class medical next time I take vacation to the Philippines. The Covid crisis really barred my ability to take vacation, it feels like “I can’t do this, I can’t do that”, so I have not taken vacation since August 2019. That’s over 1 and half years ago. I work 12 hours a day 7 days a week in a warzone. On my next vacation when the restrictions open up, I will try for a medical certificate in the Philippines somewhere. It’s where I’m from. as far as an intro flight, I will just take that when I start school with ATP 2 years from now when I complete my bachelors degree with Embry Riddle.
Sounds good, Brian. Just to clarify, ATP won’t make you do anything. You will have the same opportunities as everyone else to apply for whichever regional airline you’d like. It’s just a matter of which one hires you.
Hey Brady, hope you don’t mind me asking for some insight on the program. I applied through the family affiliate program back in December. I have a few in company active captain letter of recommendations. Just wondering when you applied, and how long it took for them to contact you to schedule an interview. Thanks
Brian,
Look we’re here to guide you with the wisdom and experience we have so far in the aviation industry. You have your plan and we gave you our advice. No need to justify it to us. Let us know if you have any other specific questions. Otherwise, browse the forum here because there is a wealth of knowledge buried in these threads.
Applied in January, heard back in February to schedule an interview. I took 3 letter of recommendations, two of them being a Captain (one from company) and one from my previous flight instructor outside of ATP.
Dang they must really be prioritizing different ways of applying other than the family program. Nothing back and it’s been about 3 months. I’ll keep checking my email. Thanks!
