Darrylpeters;-
You make some good and valid points.
I'm afraid a couple of guys on this thread didn't like what they heard or didn't hear what they liked and decided to abuse those with qualifications or those who advocated getting them. Personally, I couldn't give a toss if if anyone takes my advice or not. At the end of the day its upto the individual to decide what is best for them and whether or not they go to college.
All I will say is that if I had my life again, at the age of 18 or so I would go and get a qualification and have some fun. You would still have over 35 years in which to fly. Yes, college gets you into debt but if it wasn't worth doing people would stop going.
There are plenty of successful people out there without qualifications but there are more unsuccessful people.