Pilot Shortage again (non-121)

WacoFan

WacoFan

Bigly
Ok, lots of pilot shortage threads abound, and an age 65 thread regarding the fact that its been five years since that rule passed...meaning party. All these threads circulate on the assumption that people are excited so they can go to the airlines and lead that "lifestyle" (which seems to consist of wearing dad jeans, tucked in polos and tennis shoes in foreign countries).

My question is: What happens downstream from the airlines? You have 135 freight, mapping companies, instruction, etc and a lot of stepping stone jobs that apparently are going to need pilots because of the massive hiring that is supposed to take place. What does everyone see happening in those areas?
'
 
I'd guess largely nothing, guys making the least might see a *little* bump in pay.
Management will probably start smiling at their pilots instead of scowling, but that might be too much to ask.
"and we were thankful" -Bill Cosby.
 
Well... Thanks to the 1500 hour rule the low-time pilot jobs that one used to be able to find are pretty much dried up. Even most CFI jobs want CFI/II/MEI with at least 100 dual given before they hire. Instructors with less time than that that manage to work at busier schools are usually students at said school before working there. All the jobs that used to hire pilots with wet commercial licenses (250 to 300 hour) don't even look at them anymore because they have a stack of resumes from guys with 500 to 1,000 hours sitting on the CP's desk. For instance all of the diver-driving jobs in my area require a minimum of about 700 hours, the Traffic Watch job requires a minimum of 300PIC and at least a CFI, the survey company in the area requires 700TT or if they hire lower it is because the pilot had his CFI. There aren't many local flight schools that train part61 but the ones that do have all the instructors they need. All of the 141 schools hire from within unless they need a 2 year CFI. There really isn't a whole lot out there. This is part of the reason I think that the pilot shortage may actually come to fruition to some extent. There aren't even many low time jobs available to encourage students to get through a training program. I can't tell you how many of the guys I went through flight school with who are now just "free-lance" CFIs who have other jobs that they work full time and maybe fly 3 to 5 hours a week.
 
chrisreedrules said:
Well... Thanks to the 1500 hour rule the low-time pilot jobs that one used to be able to find are pretty much dried up. Even most CFI jobs want CFI/II/MEI with at least 100 dual given before they hire. Instructors with less time than that that manage to work at busier schools are usually students at said school before working there. All the jobs that used to hire pilots with wet commercial licenses (250 to 300 hour) don't even look at them anymore because they have a stack of resumes from guys with 500 to 1,000 hours sitting on the CP's desk. For instance all of the diver-driving jobs in my area require a minimum of about 700 hours, the Traffic Watch job requires a minimum of 300PIC and at least a CFI, the survey company in the area requires 700TT or if they hire lower it is because the pilot had his CFI. There aren't many local flight schools that train part61 but the ones that do have all the instructors they need. All of the 141 schools hire from within unless they need a 2 year CFI. There really isn't a whole lot out there. This is part of the reason I think that the pilot shortage may actually come to fruition to some extent. There aren't even many low time jobs available to encourage students to get through a training program. I can't tell you how many of the guys I went through flight school with who are now just "free-lance" CFIs who have other jobs that they work full time and maybe fly 3 to 5 hours a week.
Click to expand...

Would you believe that people were complaining about this exact same thing when I was instructing in 2006?
 
UAL747400 said:
The words "pay raise" have been circulating around here lately. I about fell on the ground laughing. Then crying. :D
Click to expand...

There was a pay raise when I was working there.

They started paying Chieftain drivers what 99 drivers made.

I'm pretty sure there will never be another raise at that company ever again.
 
jtrain609 said:
There was a pay raise when I was working there.

They started paying Chieftain drivers what 99 drivers made.

I'm pretty sure there will never be another raise at that company ever again.
Click to expand...

Indeed, they definitely aren't having any problems getting applicants, but the turnover rate is ridiculous. I've been moving up a spot every 2-3 days. That'd take a pretty huge raise to get people to stay though I bet.
 
jtrain609 said:
Would you believe that people were complaining about this exact same thing when I was instructing in 2006?
Click to expand...
I believe it. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) that 250 to 300 hour pilots getting hired at a regional was just for a limited time and certainly not the norm. Now things are back to "normal" and jobs are much more difficult to come by.
 
chrisreedrules said:
Well... Thanks to the 1500 hour rule the low-time pilot jobs that one used to be able to find are pretty much dried up. Even most CFI jobs want CFI/II/MEI with at least 100 dual given before they hire. Instructors with less time than that that manage to work at busier schools are usually students at said school before working there. All the jobs that used to hire pilots with wet commercial licenses (250 to 300 hour) don't even look at them anymore because they have a stack of resumes from guys with 500 to 1,000 hours sitting on the CP's desk. For instance all of the diver-driving jobs in my area require a minimum of about 700 hours, the Traffic Watch job requires a minimum of 300PIC and at least a CFI, the survey company in the area requires 700TT or if they hire lower it is because the pilot had his CFI. There aren't many local flight schools that train part61 but the ones that do have all the instructors they need. All of the 141 schools hire from within unless they need a 2 year CFI. There really isn't a whole lot out there. This is part of the reason I think that the pilot shortage may actually come to fruition to some extent. There aren't even many low time jobs available to encourage students to get through a training program. I can't tell you how many of the guys I went through flight school with who are now just "free-lance" CFIs who have other jobs that they work full time and maybe fly 3 to 5 hours a week.
Click to expand...

Whats wrong with the 1500 rule or companies requiring more time and experience to hurl metal tubes through the air at 500 mph? Also, I know a few guys who CFI on freelance and do extremely well. Freelance doesnt mean "part time". Sure, it might be a little inconvenient for the folks who had their minds set on 250 hours>commercial>CFI>airline bliss with 500TT. I don't see a pilot shortage. I see a lack of interest in people wanting to make airline flying a long term career.
 
I would expect the pool of qualified applicants for freight dogs to dry up a bit. Maybe a bit of pay increase, but I wouldn't hold my breath. As always (may take longer), there is an ass for every saddle.
 
UAL747400 said:
Indeed, they definitely aren't having any problems getting applicants, but the turnover rate is ridiculous. I've been moving up a spot every 2-3 days. That'd take a pretty huge raise to get people to stay though I bet.
Click to expand...
There was a memo sent out about how the turbine bonuses were going to be lower or something due to all the dumbbutts grenading engines just a handful of months ago. There was something like 1 costly incident a month for 8 months straight or something.
 
z987k said:
There was a memo sent out about how the turbine bonuses were going to be lower or something due to all the dumbbutts grenading engines just a handful of months ago. There was something like 1 costly incident a month for 8 months straight or something.
Click to expand...

CUTE! I can think of only one way to ruin a PT6, well 2, but you'd have to be a SERIOUS tardmar to do the second one. :)
 
z987k said:
There was a memo sent out about how the turbine bonuses were going to be lower or something due to all the dumbbutts grenading engines just a handful of months ago. There was something like 1 costly incident a month for 8 months straight or something.
Click to expand...
I didn't get the memo
 
z987k said:
There was a memo sent out about how the turbine bonuses were going to be lower or something due to all the dumbbutts grenading engines just a handful of months ago. There was something like 1 costly incident a month for 8 months straight or something.
Click to expand...

Well, then, it seems to me they would be better off paying more to keep the "good guys" around, and less opportunity for getting a "dumbbutt" from turning off the starter at 30%. (Or however they chose to smoke one)
 
Want to fly a blimp, we've got a "pilot shortage". Pilot shortages aren't really a shortage, just a lack of people willing (or stupid enough) to work for the offered compensation package & quality of life.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top