PIA - fake pilots and cabin crew
I have 15K+ hours, Type rated on B737, B757, B767, A319 and G-V, G-550. Also check airman on the 737 and Gulfstreams. Applied for a job with a company which operated all those types. No interview even though I had a letter of recommendation. Reason? I do not have a degree. So a degree in basket weaving is better than half a century of accident free flying?
Type rated C525(s), 737 and 747
11,500hrs, hardly a scratch ever.
No degree and I’ll happily argue I’m a prime example as to why you wouldn’t need a degree.
Delta seems to think so.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As a question to the European pilots here, do cadets in Ab Initio programs need a prior degree or do the airlines track their progress throughout training to see if he or she will be a decent fit for them?
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: in the barrel
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A big part of the reason why US companies often require college degrees is that the rules regarding what you can ask a potential employee have become so restrictive. Several years ago when my supervisor was screening people for an opening in my group, he wanted me to sit in on the interview. In order to be allowed to do that, I had to take a class on what I could say, ask, or do during the interview. Questions that you could ask about the interviewee's background were heavily restricted.
So, since you're not allowed to ask many of the questions that might actually demonstrate the person's suitability for the job, they require a degree. It's a poor substitute, but the HR types figure it's better than nothing.
But lying about your qualifications is a pretty good bet to get you fired if you're found out.
So, since you're not allowed to ask many of the questions that might actually demonstrate the person's suitability for the job, they require a degree. It's a poor substitute, but the HR types figure it's better than nothing.
But lying about your qualifications is a pretty good bet to get you fired if you're found out.
I‘ve interviewed a lot of folks here in Europe and we always got down to business.
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
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.
It's been long enough I don't recall details, but what I recall is that we were very limited in what we could ask about the persons past or their previous employment. Personal life was a big no-no.
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.
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although what is being said is correct and work experience far outweighs academic experience, what is also correct is meeting the requirements of visa issue. A lot of the countries around the world have a mandatory requirement of a degree for employment visa issue.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Esher, Surrey
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Although what is being said is correct and work experience far outweighs academic experience,
The work environment was very good and so enjoyable producing real results.
Then there was a merger with a company who had always insisted on a degree for all staff recruited.
Many seemed to think that they were owed a job , did not work hard, had no common sense ( no real experience working with people) and thought they were above all others.
The result was the vast majority of the staff at the first company left for better jobs and I for one had to endure working with many who were promoted beyond their capability.
My children were brought up to be good communicators, were good learners but did not achieve top marks in their exams.
Both were quickly accepted to the very top universities in the UK and did well there. The both have very good jobs.