Is flying during a snow shower dangerous? I am going back to Los Angeles from Denver on Wednesday, but there is a snow shower.?

It is not only ******* for a VFR only pilot to fly in the IFR system, it is also potentially very dangerous. Even many IFR rated pilots are killed each year from spatial disorientation. IF you are on a straight in approach to a runway with a localizer or ILS and just tune it in and fly the ILS I don't think that's an issue.

It is very common for small airports not to have a control tower, radar, or communications equipment. There are very well developed procedures for "uncontrolled airports". There is a standard traffic pattern that aircraft fly at almost all airports (consisting of a downwind, base, final, and upwind leg) and there are specific radio calls that are supposed to be made at certain points in the pattern. Most airports have a fixed base operator to supply fuel and services. They often monitor the common traffic frequency and supply some info to pilots about wind direction and runway in use. There's also a specific way to enter the pattern - usually at a 45 degree of the downwind leg, Yes it's possible for aircraft to collide and it happens several times a year - usually when a low wing airplane is above a high wing airplane in the pattern. Neither can see the other so occasionally that can happen.

Go visit a flight school near you and talk to an instructor. Find out about getting a sport pilot certificate first because it's the cheapest way to start flying. If you have any kind of feeling that you and the instructor won't get along very well then go find a different instructor. You need one who will make it fun to learn to fly, even with all the stress involved with learning new things.

Not true. High marks will give you your choice of what you want to fly. So if you want to fly the F-22 make sure you get to the top 1% of your class. Same goes if you want to fly say the KC-135.

Becoming a commercial pilot does not *require* a college degree. And many folks are out there crop dusting, performing aerial photography, even teaching flying - all without a higher degree (and some probably without a high school diploma). However, it is NOT the path I would recommend. The higher up the ranks you climb, the more likely any particular institution (whether airline or other) is to want one - even if it really is not directly related to your flying work. With lots of entry level applications, it is just an easy way to weed out the bottom tiers. This is especially true of the airlines.
Also, do not forget that every commercial pilot flies at the risk of their Class II or Class I (the latter required for ATP "airline" flying) medical. I highly recommend that all pilots have a "backup" life plan for the day when they are no longer able to fly commercially.
There are two traditional routes to flying - military and civilian. The military will pay for you to learn to fly, and it is an excellent opportunity and career. But, you have to be accepted by them - and that means good physical and mental condition. And they are most likely going to want to see that you are on at least a path towards a college degree (ROTC, for example). Of course, they are also going to want a long-term commitment from you as well.
Civilian is usually "pay your own way" - at least for the beginning. You can get a pilot's license by working the drive-thru window at McDonalds (to pay for flight school), but it's a tough way to do it. And merely having a license is not enough - you need lots of hours (preferably in jets) to get hired by the major airlines. So that's a lot of time at low wages and strange times - or pay for more of your own training.
Lastly, some airlines do offer ab initio training (training from the beginning), but that is usually foreign (non-US) airlines offering jobs for their own countrymen. Lots of applicants, for a relatively few slots.
Bottom line: Flying is a wonderful career, but like anything else worthwhile - it takes lots of time and effort. If it is something you want to pursue, then don't be afraid of working long hours at perhaps multiple jobs to earn enough money to start getting your license. And then more hours and strange times at relatively low wages to make it into the airlines.

Flying becomes a passion if it's what you're meant to do. Once you take that first lesson you will never see an airplane again without yearning to be in that front seat. You should go up for an introductory flight at your local airport and see how it goes. You can get a sport pilot certificate to start if you want. It's cheaper and would meet the needs of most any recreational pilot.

no but the flight engineer moniters fuel and electrical use hydraulic levels and apu operation

I suspect that the idea of max climb plus glide is not a new one, and that, if it really were cost-effective on fuel, we would know about it.

Yes, already happening.

Students and certificated pilots both are required to remain current and to have a check ride (flight review with an instructor) every 24 calendar months. The ones you're seeing are probably going out to the practice area to practice their flight maneuvers. If a pilot doesn't practice regularly his or her skills can deteriorate rapidly.