Originally Posted by
Excel
"A Crisis in Flight Training"
Of course those flight school owners consider this a crisis. Only those people who have a true passion for aviation would consider flight training today. If I owned a pilot mill I would be panicking too! The gig is up! People know they will have to plan on making a career at a garbage regional. People know about the low pay and horrible work rules, it has been splashed on the front page of every newspaper the past several months.
Just remember, when the economy turns around, regional airlines will still be paying peanuts and treating pilots like trash. Same goes for many corporate and 135 operators. Mainline jobs are becoming a thing of the past. Job security? Retirement? QOL? Why would anyone want a part of this? Anyone have the number of that truck-driving school?
I agree there is a storm around the corner. It was part diverted by the age 65 but as soon as that happens retirements are going to happen faster than ever before. Statistics show that retirements are going to double the amount of new commercial ratings issued by year 2015.
Is that going to drive up wages? Not if management can help it. They are going to push for pilot factories and swear up and down that Riddle grads are a step above. Don't think pilot factories are going to be the only survivors though. They won't be able to keep up with the demand in the next 5 years. Can mom and pop schools wait it out?