Expert: D. Norkus - 8/16/2008

Question
What are my chances of flying for a major airline one day without going the military route and getting a 4 year degree from Embry Riddle?  *Note I am currently employed in the military but I'm not a pilot.

Answer
John

In the past the military was the prime source of well trained pilots for the airlines. Today this is no longer the case. For many years now the airlines have been increasingly recruiting from the civilian pilot pool. Kit Darby of Air Inc (www.jet-jobs.com) says that today about 65% of new hires came via a civilian background. This is due to two factors: there are fewer military pilot slots available than ever before and the military is making an effort to keep as many of their aviators as they can since they cost so much to train. Pilots from the regional airlines   have jet experience in the airline environment (RJs are more advanced than mainline jets like the MD-80) and often have more flight hours than their military counterparts.  

Re: aviation degree
The airlines do not care where you get your degree or in what subject. They only want applicants with a degree as it implies the person has study skills, critical thinking ability and an apply oneself. If there was a bachelors degree in basket weaving, you could get it and meet the airlines requirements for education. In fact, it is often advisable to get a degree in something OTHER than aviation just in case you ever find yourself furloughed (or laid off, and many airlines are currently doing just that) and must look for a job, you will have your education to fall back on.



Read the basis of what you need to know here http://www.PilotCareer.info
and check out the other career related links at bottom

Hope this helps,
Dottie