Whats better for a Pilots resume? 4-Year University Degree or Aviation Diploma?

In a word, no. My son has a 4-year degree in aeronautical science, airline pilot concentration from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (the "Harvard" of flight schools). He has ratings up to his multi-engine certificate and has about 1000 flight hours. At graduation, had $125,000 in student loan debt, and he was only there for the last 2 years of college; he had to pay through the nose for instructor, fuel, and plane rental every single time he flew (now it's up to $150 PER LESSON!!). He couldn't get a job, so joined the navy to get his hours. Good luck finding a job with a 2-year certificate. These days, not even armed-services pilots with 20 years' experience aren't finding jobs, and they're the first ones airlines snap up. If they do get an airline job, they're stuck as a first officer ("co-pilot") for years at $35,000/year (after making over $100,000/yr in the service) for years. Some never make captain. If they do, it'll take 10 years. I advise you to study something that'll give you the opportunity to own your own plane as a hobby. Any kind of engineering would be a great career and in huge demand; systems engineers are especially so.

If you want to fly for the airlines, you must have a four-year baccalaureate degree. Period. It's not a "recommendation" it is a requirement. Those Aviation degrees are only important to the schools that sell them. Essentially, they are a rip off. The classes they teach can be obtained at any decent flight school, or even by self-study. Flight training can be done at any good flight school. Airlines look for pilots with a well-rounded educational background. Degrees in business, computer science, history, even liberal arts. Study what you're interested in, just get that four-year diploma. Remember, your flying career might not pan out. You could lose your medical, discover a illness, lose an eye, get a couple DUIs; any number of things can ground you from being a professional pilot. With a regular four year degree you can always find another career. Your aviation diploma qualifies you to pump gas or sell maps at your local FBO, that's about it. The other nut you must crack is the flight time requirement. The average airline pilot new hire has about 3000 hours and is in their 30s. They've been flying for 10+ years building up time and experience in ever more complex aircraft. Perhaps starting with teaching in 172 and then moving up to twins, then perhaps a King Air with turbine engines. All the while getting the next rating: Commercial, Instrument, Multi-Engine, then Airline Transport Pilot and type ratings for the bigger aircraft. This is a long road and doesn't pay very well. All that training costs $$$$. But if you don't mind living like a church mouse and going to where the work is, you can make it. Many new pilots go to Alaska to build up time. They work for a company that does fishing charters, or supply runs, or a bunch other stuff. Alaska is always in need of pilots. It's a great place to gain experience in all kinds of weather. Many companies will pay for you to upgrade to the next aircraft. Eventually, you will have what it takes to become an airline pilot. Anyway, good luck to you. Get that four-year degree and learn to fly at your local airport!

All good answers so far. Zaphod has perhaps got the best handle on Canadian requirements. However, bottom line, it would be wise if you got a 4 year degree in case you ever need a decent back-up career. The airlines are not all that stable and extended layoffs are part-and-parcel to many flying careers, plus there are any number of reasons that a flying career could end unexpectedly (health, for example). Remember the Boy Scout's motto : "Be Prepared". You never know what curves life may throw at you.

You'll have to buck up and just get that degree. And stop the tantrum with all the "stupid classes". That's an attitude that, if the airlines pick up on, they won't hire you. What if they put you at some **** hole junior base flying a route starting at 4am? You gonna complain and throw a tantrum? Then no one will want you. General education classes like anthropology and economics are required ANYWHERE for ANY undergraduate degree. Why? So you'll be a more rounded person, who has some knowledge in several areas. That's the way the world works. It's great you're motivated and hard working, but you need to be that way even while you're doing things that you DON'T want to do. That's not what younger entitlement culture wants to hear...but it's true and if you're not willing to do it, you can kiss a flying job good bye. Forget the 2 year "aviation diploma". They are practically worthless, and I know because I have one. You're better off getting an undergrad degree in something like engineering or computers or business, because then you'll have a skill to fall back on if flying doesn't work out. You do know you'll spend YEARS of being poor, right? 4 or 5 years to become captain? Let me say this: If you just finished all your flight training, had your licenses in hand, and spent $70,000 on training, you can now expect to wait about 20-25 years before you will become an airline captain at Big Airlines. I think this might not be the job for you. There's no whining in this industry.

"I REALLY hate the 4 - year university degree, its so freaking stupid, why the hell do i need to take these bullshit courses just to become a pilot" Stop being so lazy. Nobody cares about 2 year degrees. Go to a real, 4 year college. Don't like it? Then don't go. Don't worry. There are thousands of other desperate wanna be airline pilots who are standing in line and waiting for a job (and they all have 4 year college degrees). "I am very hardworking" You are obviously not