The future of pilot jobs

Kristie said:
I've know A LOT of people (not just talking jtrain) who are and were on this board for at least the past 2 years say they were "listening" who are now seeing and experiencing what others were talking about and are now getting all verklempt about it. to be honest, they knew what they were doing based on their choices and knowledge from the board and i tend to wonder....did they just "forget" what they were told in the last downturn or were they really *not* listening?

and...with that, will the new generation (like PGTs generation of up and coming pilots) learn from this one? i have my doubts simply based on history of those going thru the motions now that were "learning" (or apparently not) from others going thru the motions in the past.

:rolleyes: :p
Click to expand...

That's not it, Kristie.

You can explain something to somebody until your blue in the face, and that's what this forum has largely done, but to actually be submursed in it and have to live it, day in and day out, is another thing. What being told about this stuff ahead of time is makes sure that you don't get completely knocked off your feet when the bottom drops out, but nothing you can say to somebody will truly prepare them for that feeling when you start to realize, "I'm going to lose my job, nobody else is hiring, and there are gonna be 2,000+ pilots on the street in the next year and I better get my graduate school application going because this is going to SUCK."

Or said another way, it's like trying to describe to somebody what it feels like when you go over that first crest on a roller coaster, but the other person won't fully understand until they experience it themselves.

Further, I don't know if other guys are pissed off, and I don't know if you get that impression from me, but I'm not too pissed off about what's happened in this industry. Anybody that wasn't blind could see this coming from miles away, I made huge posts about it and folks said I had my head up my butt, and now it's come to pass. Furloughs are a part of life in this industry, and I for one am planning on taking one, whether I do or not.

It's not good, it's not bad, it's just the way it is. If we have massive furloughs now, it'll open up new doors tomorrow for all of us.
 
Well, obviously it isn't the goal of this forum to turn people off from aviation, and nobody who's serious enough about it will be swayed by anyone from a website anyway (at least hopefully not or they probably don't have what it takes to begin with)--call it hard-headed if you will. At this point I neither encourage nor discourage anyone from pursuing a career in aviation; I only want people armed with the facts to be able to make the best decision for themselves. I personally have no regrets and still feel like I made the right move, despite the fact there's a dark side to this industry, only time will tell. It's not the right job for everybody. But I do kind of wonder why there appears to be so many people fed up with professional aviation, yet spend so much of their free time on this forum :confused:
 
but what is the right profession then?
Accountant...outsourcing
Business Management...WAYYY to many in college going after that, there will be no jobs
IT...outsourcing and someone will always undercut you
doctor...$$
lawyer...$$

every career has it's problems
 
PGT said:
but what is the right profession then?
Accountant...outsourcing
Business Management...WAYYY to many in college going after that, there will be no jobs
IT...outsourcing and someone will always undercut you
doctor...$$
lawyer...$$

every career has it's problems
Click to expand...

There is no right profession, and despite what we're all raised to believe, there are no right answers with this.

The "right" profession is the right one for you, and what that profession is might change over time.
 
Right Profession.. That was the question I asked myself before and after 4 years in college and a bachelor's in business.

became a pilot instead.

There is no right answer to that one. It seems the grass may always be greener on the other side for some..

Others just go with the flow and see the bigger picture and try to remember the more important things in life.
 
Toonces said:
What he said. Jtrain speaketh the truth. You won't understand until it's too late.
Click to expand...

When's too late? Because "it's too late" hasn't arrived yet for many heavily experienced major airline fo's and captains on this board so I think I'll listen to their advice rather than yours thank you:)

Toonces said:
Dude. I am not trying to be a prick but..... What are you 21 maybe 22? I bet you have very little responsibility. No wife, kids, mortgage. I bet you drive a piece of crap and live in a studio apartment. If that is enough to make you happy then great. Most people including yourself in 10 years want more. Much more. I look at all the money I spent to get here as an investment. I expect to make a good return on my investment. It's pretty hard to rally the troops and demand higher pay, better work rules ect ect when there are so many Koo-laide drinking kids like you out there. I'll bet you would work for free if they asked you. Most people are not in the situation you are. Wait a few years. Reality will set in and most of your friends will be making more than you and be home more often. That studio apartment and 87 Corsica won't seem so great then.
Click to expand...

right on 22, right on little responsibility, wrong on piece of crap car, wrong on studio apartment (ask KLB:)). Let me give you a small story about me, I applied to ASA THE DAY it was announced they came to an agreement on a new contract that puts our pay among the top in the regional industry. So I think I am indeed part of your "rally" for higher pay, better work rules ect ect. In November I'll be making 38/hr. Even on reserve that is more than enough for my to live the lifestyle I want to live.

I know it can all go away tomorrow, but then I just go flight instruct at somewhere like Falcon and make nearly the same amount of money, while regrouping and getting another job. Motivation, determination, and persistence will get you through this career. Not whining consistently about little stuff.

I don't know where you been or where you've worked for the last 10 years nor will I guess wildly about it as you did me. However I do find it strange that after 10 years you haven't out earned your previous job of what was it 75k? Thats right around RJ captain pay. I know many guys on this board that make around that and have been in the industry under 5 years.
 
777forever said:
However I do find it strange that after 10 years you haven't out earned your previous job of what was it 75k? Thats right around RJ captain pay. I know many guys on this board that make around that and have been in the industry under 5 years.
Click to expand...

But, there are also people on the street from ATA, Aloha, et cetera. They are making zero and the current part 121 options all start at 15-25K per year.

The last five years will not be the same as the next five years.
 
777forever said:
I don't know where you been or where you've worked for the last 10 years nor will I guess wildly about it as you did me. However I do find it strange that after 10 years you haven't out earned your previous job of what was it 75k? Thats right around RJ captain pay. I know many guys on this board that make around that and have been in the industry under 5 years.
Click to expand...

Dunno his situation but family choices can really slow down climbing up the ladder. I could have taken advantage of far more opportunities if I had started at 22 with no wife or kids than when I actually started at 27 with both. Even with our contract, I will barely make $75k when I hit 10 years in the industry and that assumes we don't furlough.
 
Nick said:
But, there are also people on the street from ATA, Aloha, et cetera. They are making zero and the current part 121 options all start at 15-25K per year.

The last five years will not be the same as the next five years.
Click to expand...

Bingo.
 
jtrain609 said:
I could move back to a city I love to hang out in, with all my buddies from college and eat B-Dubs on Stadium while washing it down with a Bell's Oberon! You can't beat that!
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more... there is no beating the ZOO!!!
 
Who would have thought two years ago that we would have 757 cappys with international experience clamoring for RJ FO jobs? I certainly didn't.

I originally got a mechanical engineering degree as a back up for flying. For me, flying has turned into a back up for engineering. If the right jobs fell into place I'd certainly get paid to fly an airplane, but that is not the reason that I am flying any more. I still love airplanes, and everything associated with them, and want to use my engineering knowledge playing with airplanes.
 
777forever said:
When's too late? Because "it's too late" hasn't arrived yet for many heavily experienced major airline fo's and captains on this board so I think I'll listen to their advice rather than yours thank you:)
Click to expand...

That just proves you hear what you want to hear:)
 
As I understand, the US economy is falling down, the aviation industry is not good either, so would anyone reccomend a pilot career?
I am only 14 right now, so I can't start getting my PPL in the next couple of years, but since I remember myself I always wanted to be a pilot.
ps: sorry for my bad english, i moved to US only a year ago
 
Danstrog said:
As I understand, the US economy is falling down, the aviation industry is not good either, so would anyone reccomend a pilot career?
I am only 14 right now...
Click to expand...

So it's about 8 years until you finish college. You're asking people to forecast 8 years into the future of an incredibly volatile industry. Nobody can answer that question for you.

You can learn plenty about expected pay, observe industry trends, read up on the history of the industry, and read perspectives of those who have lived the pilot life. Just browse this website further.
 
OldTownPilot said:
Who would have thought two years ago that we would have 757 cappys with international experience clamoring for RJ FO jobs? I certainly didn't.
Click to expand...

Exactly. That is why I tell folks to love the GA experience, because you never know what'll happen and there is a good chance the love of aviation can actually give someone the incentive to make GA better. Plus you may work a crappy 9 to 5 but the job may not seem that crappy since you live and work for those flying moments.
 
Danstrog said:
As I understand, the US economy is falling down, the aviation industry is not good either, so would anyone reccomend a pilot career?
I am only 14 right now, so I can't start getting my PPL in the next couple of years, but since I remember myself I always wanted to be a pilot.
ps: sorry for my bad english, i moved to US only a year ago
Click to expand...

I would still go for it on the side because you never know. There could be an upswing in aviation when you are 30 and you'll be ready besides you may find another job aviation related that you like. Until that upswing at least you'd be doing what you like as a hobby.
 
I'm not a seasoned been there done that type, but I can tell you this...be prepared for a rough ride. I started instructing two years ago and buisness was good. I was making plenty of money and was building hours fast.

I KNEW I would have that precious airline position as soon as I finished my four year. Then, to make a long story short, I lost my medical for a year and a half, missed a semester of school and accrued a good chunk of credit card debt. Now I've been back 'instructing' for three weeks. I have ONE student and no one has walked in so far since I've been back. I have been sitting on my ass at my flight school not getting paid for the past three weeks, seven days a week, six hours a day keeping my spirits high KNOWING that business will boom again because I MUST FLY.

Well reality has recently hit me like a ton of bricks. I told my boss I have to find work somewhere else, and I will just keep my one student, once per week on the side. I cannot afford to live off of flying alone at this point. I just got a job that I had back in highschool loading planes for UPS.

It will take me much longer to reach my goal, which at this point I'm not even sure what it is anymore, but I still want to do some kind of flying one day. But at this rate, who knows. Not all of my troubles are due to the 'state of the industry,' not by a long shot, but I am feeling it now.

Anyway, my point is that when faced with the fact that you cannot live on what you are making, no matter how much you love it, you have to walk. Hopes, dreams and all the positive thinking in the world won't pay your bills. Money will.

So outside guys, please listen to those who have experience.

Disclaimer: I am not claiming to be one of the been there done that types as I am just starting out, but I am just sharing my very recent epiphany and also reiterating that those new to this NEED to listen to those who, um 'know whats up.'

Oh, and I am very happy with my decision to go with a non-aviation degree.:)
 
A very experienced pilot walked into our flight training department and gave it to me straight as we got to talking a bit. He said something, probably not original, but I think it is very appropriate for this thread...

'I love the job, hate the career'
 
ok lets flip the thread...it's about pilot jobs, what about other jobs in the industry?

121 cargo
corporate
charter
instructing
135 ops
etc.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top