My ultimate goal one day is to become an airline pilot. I know the commitment required and the skills needed, and I'm up for te challenge. When I graduate next year I'm going off to flight school and hoping to take a program where I finish, after two years training with all the licenses and a frozen ATPL. But I'm not too sure now. Airlines seem to want a pilot with a history or religion degree over the pilot with more flight experience. I'm not sure whether or not to go get my degree, work for a while to pay off the loan, then do it all over again for the licenses, or do my original plan and maybe work up to a regional pilot after some years, then return to school and get a degree if needed. I was just wondering your thoughts on having degrees and such from some of you experts out there. Thanks.

Hi Nigel,

I'm a collegiate flight instructor and I train young people to get the airline jobs that I couldn't get when I was in my twenties. I got my pilot ratings first and didn't start college until "late" in my thirties--I just want to recommend DON'T do it that way--it has been tough! I love instructing, and I am fortunate to have found a career position. However, if I had gone to college when I was younger I'd be an airline captain by now. Some people will tell you that you can do it without a college degree, and yes it's possible but not a good idea. Some are just trying to get your business, which is fine if you just want to learn to fly, but not the best way to go if it's a career you're looking for.

If you can afford college then by all means do it. There are lots of universities that have aviation programs. I recommend you check AOPA flight training website; they can provide you with all the information you need as well as a list of collegiate aviation programs.

By the way, most college aviation programs use their students as part-time instructors once they get their CFI rating. It sure beats working at the local fastfood restaurant.

There are many colleges that offer four year degrees in aviation and flying.  I originally went to college for Professional Aviation, then switched into Aviation Management once I realized that I prefer flying as a hobby than as a career.  Now I work in management at a small commercial airport.

I've been forunate enough to have made friends with an airline pilot. He's a co-pilot for United Airlines and flies 767 out of Washington. He's my dad's friend's brother-in-law. great guy

He has told me many times that the best way to do it is to go into the Air Force and learn to fly there, as it's unbeatable. I've read that many times all over the internet and others have told me that's the best way as well, but I'm an only child and can't do that to my single mother who has no family in this country.

He said my next option (also the way he did it) was to go to college and get your degree in an aviation field (aeronautical science for me) and get your licenses and ratings at that same college/university. start your career ASAP flying in any way you can for the experience and the hours. my plan is to instruct for 2 years at most then get into regional or hopefully straight into a big company flying internationally, but I doubt it'll go that way

he was lucky enough to have been a Colombian citizen at the time he got his licenses, ratings, and degree. he went straight back to Colombia after college and started flying 727s from Colombia to Miami for a Colombian airline. now he's here in the states flying 767s for United....

I'm in college and nothing is stopping me from becoming a pilot... except maybe the fact that it's harder to get loans nowadays.... but nothing will stop me. determination makes dreams come true. don't forget that. don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

good luck my friend




PS: now to get started on that english paper due tomorrow... grrr

I concur with all the above.   In this day and age you should have a degree to fall back on, however, not just any degree.  My youngest son obtained a BA with a major in philosophy and a minor in German.  Although he graduated summa cum laude, today he works inputing data into a computer all day.  He was luck to get that!