Required education

[triplese7en]

I have an ATPL and have completed all but two academic courses for an aviation diploma. What are my chances of being invited for an interview at AC? Do you know of pilots recently hired that don't have a degree or diploma?

Cheers!

[cj555]

If I understand correctly, you completed an entire aviation diploma except for 2 courses, and now you're wondering if you can get away with not finishing them??

This kinda goes without saying: Finish the two courses, having the papers in your hand won't make you a better pilot, but it may open some doors for you in the future.

[LeakyFloats]

To answer the original posters question no you do not need any post-secondary education to be invited for an interview.

[cj555]

... having the papers in your hand won't make you a better pilot, but it may open some doors for you in the future.

I was implying that finishing the two courses will greatly increase your chances of getting called to interview. It says right on the Air Canada pilot job posting:

Pilot applications far exceed job vacancies, so preference is given to candidates with qualifications beyond the basic requirements. Examples of desirable additional qualifications include, but are not limited to:

•University degree or college diploma
•Aviation College degree or diploma
•Commercial or military flight experience
•Jet and/or glass cockpit experience

Having an aviation diploma (or any University degree) isn’t a basic requirement, however not having it means you are at the bottom of the list behind everyone else who does. If you have the requirements, get your application in now. But also finish the 2 courses and your chances of getting called for an interview will increase drastically. Just my 2 cents, take it or leave it!

[chipmunk]

I was implying that finishing the two courses will greatly increase your chances of getting called to interview.

Greatly increase?

Not necessarily.
I got a call for an interview, and I "only" have 3 years post-sec. I would like to think they put more weight on my type rating and time on a heavy twin than my "lack of" education.

Who knows what AC wants these days, but I wouldn't quit a flying job and therefore stop your hour & experience building to do two college courses.

[altiplano]

You won't be at the bottom of the list. I think you can mark off something to the extent of "some or other post secondary" also to get some points... bring your transcripts and explain it in the interview... it won't count against you, trust me.

[BlueSkies12]

Who knows what AC wants these days, but I wouldn't quit a flying job and therefore stop your hour & experience building to do two college courses.

You don't have to quit a flying job to finish 2 courses. Explaining to them in an interview that you were too lazy to get a Diploma will reflect poorly on you and therefore I wouldn't even mention the attempt at it = Total Loss.

[MeAndMrPenguin]

Pilot applications far exceed job vacancies, so preference is given to candidates with qualifications beyond the basic requirements. Examples of desirable additional qualifications include, but are not limited to:

•University degree or college diploma
•Aviation College degree or diploma
•Commercial or military flight experience
•Jet and/or glass cockpit experience

Ummm, if there are other candidates with similar experience, the above snipet clearly explains the answer.

For those that think, type, weight and flying location are the end all...applicants that are interviewed MEET the minimums. Level field. Applicants with the above will be given PREFERENCE!

[altiplano]

You don't have to quit a flying job to finish 2 courses. Explaining to them in an interview that you were too lazy to get a Diploma will reflect poorly on you and therefore I wouldn't even mention the attempt at it = Total Loss.

They won't even ask about your education during the interview. You just bring transcripts to prove you went where your resume says you went... the hiring board will read into it from there and some college/university without a degree won't look bad. People get hired with incomplete university courses on their transcripts - trust me I know - they know everyone's circumstance is different, the fact you showed the desire to try to improve yourself and got most of the way to a piece of paper to put in a frame will reflect positively. If clarification or more info is needed they will call/email you when they review your file.

[aV1aTOr]

Plenty of applicants are being hired without any post secondary ed. Like has been said, not a bad idea to wrap up your diploma, but you're definitely not 'at the bottom of the pile' if you don't.

[+RA]

What would the situation be for someone midway through or nearing the end of a degree through correspondance? Could they apply with that said degree, then bring in the paperwork and explain the situation?