I'm very sure they'd choose someone who can fly rather than an academic
How about someone who can do both by the time they're 21?
If anyone honestly believes that studying CRM, Risk Management, Flight Safety and host of engineering subjects on everything from engines to metal fatigue, in addition to all required theory and practical up to and including ATPL (frozen - whoops, did I say that forbidden word?) is going be seen as a disadvantage by any employer then I'd like to see some solid reasons why.
