Aircraft Mechanics?

Jeremy said:
Just a question... I'm not trying to be rude, but those pilots who crashed the plane in Buffalo, is that a typical starting piloting job? Or were those pilots working for them because they weren't prepared enough for something better? They said they made $16,000 per year... That's like McDonalds salary
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Up until the last 10 years or so, a job like that was not your typical starting job. Companies like Colgan required a lot of flight time, so you had to get your flight time doing something else. But the pay has always been kinda crappy. I'll never forget my dad telling me about commuter pilots when I was a kid- "young, overworked, and underpaid". The demand for commuter airline (now called regionals) business has grown dramatically, but the pay hasn't improved. Why? Well, there's a reason they wanted the business in the first place. Not easily fixed.
 
I second the thought on not listening to your Mom (on this subject anyway). BUT...if you want to be a mechanic, I would look into the military. You gain good experience and after a few years, you make pretty good money. After about 15 or so years, you can be up in the high 60s and mid 70s for pay...not too bad for turning wrenches. You can also jump from active duty and hit the reserves which is good for the "leaner" times in the economy...like right now. Don't think that the job is more secure than being a pilot though. Auto mechanics are having a tough time hanging on out there too. Hell, I think most people are except for the US governement employees.
 
texas_pilot said:
With all the car dealers closing their doors, are auto mechanics doing well presently?
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Since fewer people are buying new cars, they must fix their older ones.

For several years there has been a shortage of qualified car mechanics. I know one guy who got pissed at his boss at 0900 and started his new job after lunch.
 
Odds of dying in a plane crash: 1 in 502,554 (509 deaths in 2005)

Odds of dying in a car crash: 1 in 6,539 (45,343 deaths in 2005)

Source

Flying is just as safe, if not safer, than driving to work.
 
My dad is an auto mechanic (GM dealer for 30+ years) and he turned me away from doing the same thing. He says that the cars are getting so hard to work on because they have module this and module that to run every little thing on the car, and so many sensors and serial data lines, and blah blah. That and these people want their cars fixed in a half hour when there is no check engine light and my dad can't even get it to act up the way the customer says it is..he complains about it but he also made $92K last year. Meanwhile I'm making $40K as an accountant. He also does a bunch of side jobs and probably makes a few hundred a week at least on those. The truth is that every job has it's pitfalls...He also didn't start out making that good money. He was making about $20K from 18-24 years old. So who knows, to me that sounds great and I have learned a great deal from him because I'm always working in the garage with him but he still tells me not to get in the profession. I will tell you one thing- his job is not in jeopardy. If you are an accountant, engineer, PILOT, you are easily replaceable unfortuantely. However, when you have the expertise whether it be as a A&P, or auto mechanic, not just anybody can replace your job.
 
USMCmech said:
Since fewer people are buying new cars, they must fix their older ones.

For several years there has been a shortage of qualified car mechanics. I know one guy who got pissed at his boss at 0900 and started his new job after lunch.
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The same can be said for aircraft.
You think companies are buying new aircraft? No. They're refitting and rebuilding old aircraft using A&Ps.

I'm loving training for my A&P right now. I cant imagine doing anything else. And as a mechanic, I get to do test-flights before delivering aircraft back to the customers. Im seeing that as an opportunity to get flight time in some rare aircraft when I go to work out at Chino Airport building/repaiting classics.

You've gotta be dedicated, and they money starts off low, but can get incredibly high if you specialize and know what your doing.
Build time with a local mechanic at the airport, see if you like what hes doing. Make sure hes doing everything by the book. (There is no creativity in Aircraft maintenance. Its all been written down for you at some point before you got there)

Find a local Jr. College with an A&P program, and youll save thousands. Theres no reason to go to Purdue/Embry Riddle for the same education you'll get at the North Valley Occupational Center (On KVNY Airport) or up at Riddley College outside of Fresno, CA.

I'm paying $75/semester and $45/summer for a great education. (not including books)
 
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