Originally Posted by
Dan_Brown
Is anyone on board able to inform me and other unwashed, why a degree is needed to operate an a/c??
A degree isn’t needed to operate an aircraft.
But I think the question some are asking is why a degree is needed by some airlines to operate
their aircraft.
An employer only has limited scope to analyse whether you will be able to become a competent operator of their aircraft, and a good employee.
At high school you are spoon fed. To gain a degree you must apply yourself in an unsupervised environment. If you can succeed at this, this is an indicator of your
learning ability and
self-discipline - attributes important of a good airline pilot.
It still doesn’t mean you will make a good pilot, that’s why there are other aspects to the application process, but it means you probably have at least
some of the attributes required, and you will be a lower risk applicant.
The degree doesn’t usually even need to be in a related field, because it’s the attributes that are important, not any particular knowledge.
That doesn’t mean for one second that a non-degree applicant won’t be just as good, it’s just that the employer doesn’t know that at that point.
My employer doesn’t require a degree, but certainly looks favourably on applicants with one.