Originally Posted by
rickair7777
There might be a shortage at the regional level because of the low starting pay and recent increases in required qualifications.
The regionals may be panicking, but the majors are not too concerned...there are a lot of 50-seat RJs in the regional fleet which will be going away over the next 5-8 years, so even if some regionals have to park airplanes due to lack of pilots the majors wanted some airplanes parked anyway.
There will likely never (in our working lifetime) be a shortage at the major airline level, ie I cannot foresee a situation where anyone with ATP minimums and a reasonably clean background would automatically get hired at a major without previous turbine time...I think there will always be more qualified applicants than jobs.
And, no don't believe anything flight schools tell you. Your career potential depends on your age, how many hours and ratings you've already accumulated, whether you have a 4-year degree, and how flexible your lifestyle is. Having significant savings or outside income stream also enhances your career prospects because it gives you the flexibility to chase career progression without as much concern for finances early-on.
Exactly.. You need to be debt free to be able to afford to be a CFI or Regional FO.. And you are looking at 5 years in those 2 positions minimum, which start less than 15k(gross) and end at less than 40(gross) before getting promoted, if you are lucky enough to not get laid off before then (or shortly after)... I don't see how anyone could live on that with any kind of loans, let alone without.. Get a job somewhere else and train at an FBO.. This is what I'm about to continue doing as soon as my College loan is paid off.. It's important to not be in any kind of rush in this field.. I'm almost 29 now with about 110 hours.. I won't step into it full time until the starting pay is reasonable and livable, since I have a good (but terribly boring) office job now.. The WSJ is talking about China sucking up all the US pilots (for 270k a year!), and the retirements coming.. Time will tell, but either way it's best to be diversified, like how I am playing it.. I'm not holding my breath for the supposed shortage, but I still do enjoy flying the Cessna / Twin on weekends, on the positive side of debt.. Never give a flight school any money up front either..