agree with tupues, better to get plumber or track driver qualifications etc. Degree could sometimes, especially with smaller companies, work against you.
Absolutely disagree. While I agree with the argument that people who wish to totally avoid all debt and have no wish to devote time to academic studies should not do so, it is a complete fallacy to suggest that better prospects for the future could be gained through avoiding a degree and becoming a plumber or trucker.
So long as you do not announce your intention to jump ship to a prospective employer, you degree and interests will not count against you at any decent firm. If anyone suggests that a degree might count against you, the firm is not worth your time or the job is below your skill level.
If you want fulfilling work (aside from flying), that is not the same for 40 years, you need a degree. If you reasonably intelligent and want career prospects in a profession aside from flying, you need a degree.
Clearly this does not apply to everyone, and it is not meant to be a cheap shot at those who are content and good at jobs that do not require degrees, and who hold aspirations to fly.
However, I am not going to beat about the bush - the OP is clearly a clever and motivated young person - for his/her personality, advice from people to avoid univesity is unhelpful and should be ignored.