Originally Posted by SkyHigh

Networking is an important element in a successful aviation career. Over the years since my college graduation I have kept close tabs on my graduating class and their progression in the industry. In addition I have friends from different graduating class years from my university who also have kept tabs on their peers.

Through our unscientific collection of data is seems as though slightly more than half of all graduates never even get their first flying job. Of the remainder half of those quit after their first year to go back top work at what they did before college and flight training. Of the few who survive to a regional or jet part 135 outfit half again make it to a major.

In all perhaps an average of less than 10% are still in aviation 20 years later and of those most sense their professional vulnerability and wish they could quit. The problem with this web site is that it is populated primarily with outliers, new career entrants, and wannabees. It offers a false view of the industry and of the chances and experiences of the average pilot.

Those who have been bared entry early on do not venture onto airline pilot websites. They do not read aviation magazines or even remain proficient. They fade away and let that painful memory dissolve into the past. In order to gather the full depth of the challenges and hardships of the profession one must look to statistics and to dissenters like myself.

Skyhigh