Experience or college?

Question

If you were a passenger in Boeing 737.

Would you rather have a Pilot who has A LOT of flying experience,without a college degree, or a Pilot who has a BA in World History, and a minimum flight experience?

Answer 1

It all depends on the scenario.  In a regional airline, where you can pretty much train a monkey to do the job I'd take world history-- at least the guy sitting next to me would be interesting.  If you're talking about single-pilot freight, I'd want a combination-- somone confident to fly alone but also with the ability to learn and learn fast.  If you're talking about a crop duster... I really don't care-- probably flight experience-- I wouldn't want to deal with having to maneuver my combine around a crashed airplane when harvest comes.

Flying skills are important... but keep in mind that a lot of flying has to do with the ability to understand regulations, understand duty times, and have the ability to learn.  Question for you:  would you get onto an airplane where neither pilot could complete full sentences, looked like they were straight out of Deliverance, and had no teeth?  

You need to realize that this is a professional career.  Like it or not the majority of major airlines require a degree whether you want to get one or not.  Also, with the technology as advanced as it is... flying skills are going downhill for airline pilots.  It's very difficult to get lost when you have a moving map GPS, full glass cockpit, GPWS, and a variety of other safety devices.  There are many areas of aviation where skills are very important (I fly single pilot freight without an autopilot in all types of weather with a 16,000 pound turboprop--- some skills are required to live)... but the majority of aviation is going more automated-- flight schools included.

Overall, I'd take a combination.  May as well get the best of both worlds.

Answer 2

Not the passengers' call.

Answer 3

That's not the way it works.  Sorry.  It's not a choice between a degree and experience.  When you are riding in the airliner, you will have a crew up front that have BOTH experience and a college degree.  BOTH--not one or the other.

So the question is a false dilemma.  You will never have those two choices as alternatives.  Your crew will have BOTH.

Answer 4

give me the degree with lots of math.an engineering degree

Answer 5

world history doesn't have anything to do with flying the plane. i'm sorry but i don't understand why this question is even asked, i'd def. say more experience though