i agree with this at the moment a degree is not necessary but whos to say that wont change in the future?
Airlines want people with relevant practical degrees to make their managers in the future.
Later in life when youve done so much flying that you dont even log hours anymore and your eyesight starts to go or any other medical issue which comes with age could cause you to loose your licencse. At this point what do you do? If you have a degree you have that qualification to fall back on putting you ahead of others in the airline without degrees for the management/ operations roles. Therefore a degree is a distinct advantage as you are higher qualified and you will mature and change as an individual through an experience as a student.
Aeroeng i too am an aeronautical engineering graduate!gd luck with the studies you couldnt be in a more relavent field for an aspiring pilot.