Just returned from Orlando and the NBAA Convention. While there had the opportunity to speak with a president from Bombardier and two VPs from NETJET. In both companies/cases flights/revenue is down. Specifically Flexjet is in a downswing and hiring is stagnent. For NETJET the VPs said for now they can not tell what their hiring will be in 2009. Specifically they said the report of 400 new hires in 2009 is most likely not correct, in fact 'it could be only 40.' Only had a brief encounter with the president from Bombardier but spoke extensively with the NETJET VPs and was very impressed with their openness and professionalism. Both had started out as pilots for NETJET and now were involved with corporate management. Both acknowledged the downswing in economy has slowed down 'sales' and current owners are flying less. But both assured me that their company was financially strong, well backed, and still making money, just not at the rate and growth of last year. This is obvious to most of us I am sure.

Long story short, the economy is going to slow hiring in this and most 'bling' form of travels and at the NBAA, the mood was one of caution as everyone waits to see what is going to happen next.

Good luck out there and don't put all your eggs in one basket!