Is losing your medical common?

[taro]

Hey guys,

First post here - I'm just wondering if losing your medical is as common as everyone is saying it is. I'm currently doing a 3 year degree in Environmental Sciences and I plan to get my licenses and ratings in my second year of university. But everywhere I've looked people are always like get a degree that you can use as a backup in case you lose your medical. Is losing your medical a frequent occurence?

Also, is a 3 year bachelor's degree going to make any difference when applying to airlines? Or should I go for the 4 year honours bachelor?

Thank you guys!

[North Shore]

At age 25, straight out of Uni/College, no, not common; at 55, after 30 years of poor sleep patterns, crappy meals, and less-than-optimal exercise routines, then it becomes more of a real worry. 'Course by then, your degree is 30 years out-of-date!

[Bede]

Is losing your medical a frequent occurence?

Losing your medical temporarily is relatively common. Go in for a surgery or some banned medication and you'll lose your medical and go on disability until you have recovered and are cleared to return to flying duties. Losing your medical permanently so you can no longer work as a pilot? Very rare. (I only know of one who had an accident and was rendered quadriplegic.)

But everywhere I've looked people are always like get a degree that you can use as a backup in case you lose your medical.

Lot's of people say that, but IMO, it's pretty bad advice. Get a university degree because it's intellectually fulfilling. If you're going to spend 3-4 years on an education as a back up, why not just wait until the situation arises? There's a big opportunity cost of pursuing and education in lieu of working as a pilot. Also, who will hire you with a 20 year old degree, but no relevant experience? No one.

If you lose your medical and need another career, pick up something at that time.

Also, is a 3 year bachelor's degree going to make any difference when applying to airlines? Or should I go for the 4 year honours bachelor?

Absolutely not.

[JBI]

Also, is a 3 year bachelor's degree going to make any difference when applying to airlines? Or should I go for the 4 year honours bachelor?

Absolutely not.

As someone who lost my medical for a year, I would say that it's relatively common to lose your medical for a short to medium period of time. And while most folks I know who lost their medical eventually got it back, I will say that having a second career option was really nice when I lost mine and wasn't sure if I would be getting it back.

Airlines in Canada likely do not care if you have a 3 year or 4 year degree. Having a degree (3 or 4 year) may help you in a few situations. Air Canada previously would grant additional points for a degree or a college diploma from a recognized aviation college for determining interview offers. Back in 2016, Air Canada gave precedence to granting interviews to candidates with a degree over those without a degree (even with significantly higher hours). At the moment, with the extent of hiring going on, flight experience is far more important. At this exact moment, I'd argue you'll do more for your pilot career flying that year than spending an extra year in University (and I say this as someone with 2 degrees and a diploma).

However, two notes of caution on that advice:
1- Airlines in the United States STILL do care about having a "4 Year Degree". For example, Delta's general hiring requirement page on PCC includes the following:

* Graduate of a four-year degree program from a college or university accredited by a U.S. Dept. of Education recognized accrediting organization.

* Degrees obtained from a non-U.S. institution must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees by a member organization of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

So, if you have the right to work in the US and want to keep that as an option, having a 4 year degree will help you.

2- While I agree with both North Shore and Bede's thoughts about getting a current degree, I'll disagree with them slightly in that if you get a 4 year degree, at a later date it will be easier to apply to Masters or post-Degree diploma programs (even if years down the road). While some M.A.'s and M.Sc's will want more recent experience, having a degree completed does make it easier to get right into a Master's or post-grad if you do lose your medical (or if you just want to continue with school).

Whether that makes sense for your personal situation depends on lots of factors.

[rookiepilot]

But everywhere I've looked people are always like get a degree that you can use as a backup in case you lose your medical.

Lot's of people say that, but IMO, it's pretty bad advice. Get a university degree because it's intellectually fulfilling.

Intellectually fulfilling?

Forgive me, what a dumb reason to spend 3-4 years and better than 100K (some places 200K), to sit in a classroom and book learn from someone who maybe never did anything else but sit in a classroom. But you get indoctrinated with a healthy dose of woke culture, no extra charge!

I’d rather chew broken glass.

Travel, volunteer, speak / teach (OUTSIDE of a classroom) and read a lotta books by people who HAVE done something meaningful in life — some of my avenues to become intellectually and mentally fulfilled.

A lot cheaper, lot more relevant, lot more fun.

[photofly]

Nothing of value ever happened at a university?

Asking for a friend.

[Castorero]

I would not worry about losing your medical down the road, much like i would not spend any time over being hit by a bus six years from now. Life just happens as we go...

Now spending time at a university is a different story.
I will say that even spending a few weeks at a university is Not a waste of time, regardless of one's field of study.
Simply the exposure to the atmosphere, new people, new horizons, the parties, new dates, etc, is well worth the price of entry.

In the end, unless enrolled in a professional school, time spent at a University teaches one how to learn, a skill that will last an entire life. I am all for it.

[rookiepilot]

In the end, unless enrolled in a professional school, time spent at a University teaches one how to learn, a skill that will last an entire life. I am all for it.

Oh my. Kool-aid well and truly drunk.

[JBI]

But everywhere I've looked people are always like get a degree that you can use as a backup in case you lose your medical.

Lot's of people say that, but IMO, it's pretty bad advice. Get a university degree because it's intellectually fulfilling.

Intellectually fulfilling?

Forgive me, what a dumb reason to spend 3-4 years and better than 100K (some places 200K), to sit in a classroom and book learn from someone who maybe never did anything else but sit in a classroom. But you get indoctrinated with a healthy dose of woke culture, no extra charge!

I’d rather chew broken glass.

Travel, volunteer, speak / teach (OUTSIDE of a classroom) and read a lotta books by people who HAVE done something meaningful in life — some of my avenues to become intellectually and mentally fulfilled.

A lot cheaper, lot more relevant, lot more fun.

Honestly curious what your post-secondary education experience is.

Not everyone should go to University or college. Especially in aviation, I know some absolutely amazing pilots who have no formal education above grade 12. And, I do think that right now many High School kids go to University just because that's what they're 'supposed to do' when really a good dose of travel, working and reality is probably what they need most.

However, having been someone who has travelled, volunteered, taught and given talks outside of a classroom and, before I had kids, read a lot I can say those things are great, but SO was getting my degrees. I found university immensely intellectually fulfilling. Both through the courses and life outside of the classroom I learned lots and really enjoyed myself. In many of my courses, my professors had had very accomplished careers both inside and outside of academia.

It sounds like university wasn't for you. That's great. Honestly. But just because you didn't find it (or think you would find it) intellectually fulfilling doesn't mean others won't.

[rookiepilot]

Lot's of people say that, but IMO, it's pretty bad advice. Get a university degree because it's intellectually fulfilling.

Intellectually fulfilling?

Forgive me, what a dumb reason to spend 3-4 years and better than 100K (some places 200K), to sit in a classroom and book learn from someone who maybe never did anything else but sit in a classroom. But you get indoctrinated with a healthy dose of woke culture, no extra charge!

I’d rather chew broken glass.

Travel, volunteer, speak / teach (OUTSIDE of a classroom) and read a lotta books by people who HAVE done something meaningful in life — some of my avenues to become intellectually and mentally fulfilled.

A lot cheaper, lot more relevant, lot more fun.

Honestly curious what your post-secondary education experience is.

Not everyone should go to University or college. Especially in aviation, I know some absolutely amazing pilots who have no formal education above grade 12. And, I do think that right now many High School kids go to University just because that's what they're 'supposed to do' when really a good dose of travel, working and reality is probably what they need most.

However, having been someone who has travelled, volunteered, taught and given talks outside of a classroom and, before I had kids, read a lot I can say those things are great, but SO was getting my degrees. I found university immensely intellectually fulfilling. Both through the courses and life outside of the classroom I learned lots and really enjoyed myself. In many of my courses, my professors had had very accomplished careers both inside and outside of academia.

It sounds like university wasn't for you. That's great. Honestly. But just because you didn't find it (or think you would find it) intellectually fulfilling doesn't mean others won't.

I’m curious when this was. I did go one year, many years ago. Yes, It was productive.

Because things have completely gone off the rails at post secondary institutions. Universities are too often toxic landfills for young minds.

Instead of teaching, they are indoctrinating and causing tremendous damage to young people, all while the quality has followed the quality in countless other products, gone straight downhill.

Meanwhile, the cost has gone up to such a degree, its criminal and puts the graduating student under bone crushing levels of debt.

All to feed the rich. Harvard, if I remember correctly, has an endowment in the 50 billion dollar range. Higher education has too often become a massive scam and way to bury the lower classes in permanent debt.

[Bede]

But everywhere I've looked people are always like get a degree that you can use as a backup in case you lose your medical.

Lot's of people say that, but IMO, it's pretty bad advice. Get a university degree because it's intellectually fulfilling.

Intellectually fulfilling?

Forgive me, what a dumb reason to spend 3-4 years and better than 100K (some places 200K), to sit in a classroom and book learn from someone who maybe never did anything else but sit in a classroom. But you get indoctrinated with a healthy dose of woke culture, no extra charge!

I’d rather chew broken glass.

Travel, volunteer, speak / teach (OUTSIDE of a classroom) and read a lotta books by people who HAVE done something meaningful in life — some of my avenues to become intellectually and mentally fulfilled.

A lot cheaper, lot more relevant, lot more fun.

Nothing positive has ever come out if universities. Better to stay at home and read Robert Kiyosaki books.

[Castorero]

Ouch... Bede

[rookiepilot]

I Don’t know that guy Bede, seems like you have read him enthusiastically.

Assuming a massive amount of more for no clear reason as a young person seems the height of stupidity.

By the comments though, it seems some have happily looted the bank of Mom and Dad and wasted time in school.

Its tough to grow up and be an adult, I get it.

[Ash Ketchum]

I can tell you from first hand experience during COVID that getting a job with a degree that you haven't recently used is an uphill battle. It took me 6 months to land a software development job after only being out of the field for 5 years working as a pilot. I think the best bet for a safety net is starting or buying some sort of business and running it on the side while flying. This is what I am focusing on now.