Hello there, quick question to all the working pilots or flying students out there (especially anybody from Canada). To be an airline pilot, I've been told that you need to have some kind of post-secondary education, including an APL, for your application to be looked at and possibly accepted by the airline. My question is, does it matter if the applicant has a college diploma or do airlines look for applicants only with university degrees, majoring in any field of work (meaning do I have to sit my ass through 4 yrs of uni or will they be fine with a college diploma)?? Thanks credited in advance, to anybody that replies to my question.

I'll address requirements in the U.S. I have no idea about Malaysia, where you're from.

Many major airlines post the basic minimum requirements as follows:

1. 21 Year of Age
2. Fluent in English
3. Commercial Pilot Certificate with Multiengine rating and Instrument rating.
4. 1200 Hours as a pilot and 200 Multiengine
5. College (or University) degree; doesn't matter what disipline
6. Be able to pass FBI background checks and drug screening
7. Possess FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
8. Legally able to work in the U.S. and possess appropriate travel documents

This list varies from airline to airline, but keep in mind this is generally the minimum qualifications. To actually be competitive during the interview and screening process, you shold significantly exceeed these minimums. Right now, the market is extremely competitive. Many airlines aren't hiring period, and those who are are looking for people in the 3000-5000 range with previous airline experience. The job market for pilots depends on, of course, the supply and demand of pilots in the marketplace and the economy as a whole.

1. Lots of cash.... when you think you have enough double it.
2. Acceptance to move every 1 to 2 years
3. Good lawyer for the divorces
4. Other job training as you will probably be doing it for at least 5 years till the airline job market takes a turn for the better.

JET

Money and friends in high places. O ya another job in case you get furloughed.

[Edited 2003-04-21 08:06:00]

thanx to all who replied, but only Jhooper really answered my original question (I'm actually from Canada btw Jhooper). My question has to do with the post-secondary education required to be an airline pilot. I just wanted to know if most of the airlines are looking for applicants with a uni degree in their possession, or do they also accept applicants with a coll diploma?? Again, I already know about the luxuries and most of the requirements to be an airline pilot. I just wanna know if I should be going to college or university in order for me to reach my goal of being an airline pilot in North America.

A university degree is desired but not required. Most pilots I know don't have a university degree, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. It does give you a competitive advantage. I know that some airlines elsewhere require a university degree, but that is not the case with any of them in Canada.

What might be a good idea is for you to work on your degree part time while you do your flying, and by the time you're ready for an airline position, you'll have a degree completed.

I dont have a college degree. Hell.... I only have a GED. My dumb ass dropped out of high school.

Amyway.... lots of flying jobs out there for all types of people.

College... good thing to have

Necessary.... absolutley not

I had a choice to make... finish college, or accept a job as a DC8 FE. I took the job, and it worked out for me.

JET

Umm.. however I think I understand where he is coming from... In Canada, College and University are worlds apart in their meaning... In the US the words get tossed around and interchanged quite regularly... Most US (and Canadian) airlines look very highly upon a 4 year UNIVERSITY degree. Dont cheap out on yourself here man... a good education is a foundation for a successful life.

Cameron

A diploma is still a very good thing to have. It sure beats just having highschool by itself. Don'y forget an Advanced Diploma is just one rung down from a Degree so it's still pretty highly regarded. I'm planning on starting an Advanced Diploma in July this year- full time to complete is 2.5 years, about half the time it takes to complete a degree.

obviously post-secondary education is different worldwide. Here in Canada, college provides diplomas which take 2 or 3 years to complete, depending on the program. Universities provide 3 or 4 year undergraduate degrees, honours degrees taking 4 years. Of course there is also graduate school. University is obviously more highly regarded, and is more strict compared to college.