United Fast Pass - NGPA Expo
01-07-2017, 02:55 PM
#111
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2016
Posts: 417
Has anyone considered the possibility that the reason for fewer women being in the pilot profession is simple economics?
For the last 10+ years the pilot profession has not been exactly lucrative nor predictable. A college age female trying to plan her future and consider all variables may well have the desire to be a pilot, but also have the desire to be a mother and well off financially. If a female wants to complete a college degree and be in a financially stable position to start a family by a certain age, then a profession as a pilot doesn't provide that type of predictability.
A female turning 18 in 2006 and attending a 4 year aviation program to become a pilot may well have looked at the state of the industry 2 years into the program and realized that there was absolutely no way she would be able to complete her degree, gain enough experience to be hired at a major, and be in a secure position (both financially and from furlough) by the time she wanted to start having children (lets call it 27)
For the type of intelligent women that enter the pilot profession the decision to have a child is a well thought out decision process (yes there are surprises) that male pilots generally don't have to consider. While a male pilot does have to consider the financial burden, they do not have to consider all the other aspects that affect the career, time off, fmla, currency, etc.
It is completely conceivable that the females over the last 10 years that had the desire to become pilots also had the intelligence to realize that the state of the industry at the time was terrible and too unpredictable, even going forward from now, to adequately meet both their career and personal goals so they made the decision to enter other fields to achieve that same life balance we are all looking for. Just a thought.
For the last 10+ years the pilot profession has not been exactly lucrative nor predictable. A college age female trying to plan her future and consider all variables may well have the desire to be a pilot, but also have the desire to be a mother and well off financially. If a female wants to complete a college degree and be in a financially stable position to start a family by a certain age, then a profession as a pilot doesn't provide that type of predictability.
A female turning 18 in 2006 and attending a 4 year aviation program to become a pilot may well have looked at the state of the industry 2 years into the program and realized that there was absolutely no way she would be able to complete her degree, gain enough experience to be hired at a major, and be in a secure position (both financially and from furlough) by the time she wanted to start having children (lets call it 27)
For the type of intelligent women that enter the pilot profession the decision to have a child is a well thought out decision process (yes there are surprises) that male pilots generally don't have to consider. While a male pilot does have to consider the financial burden, they do not have to consider all the other aspects that affect the career, time off, fmla, currency, etc.
It is completely conceivable that the females over the last 10 years that had the desire to become pilots also had the intelligence to realize that the state of the industry at the time was terrible and too unpredictable, even going forward from now, to adequately meet both their career and personal goals so they made the decision to enter other fields to achieve that same life balance we are all looking for. Just a thought.
01-07-2017, 03:52 PM
#112
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,676
Originally Posted by SEPfield
Has anyone considered the possibility that the reason for fewer women being in the pilot profession is simple economics?
For the last 10+ years the pilot profession has not been exactly lucrative nor predictable. A college age female trying to plan her future and consider all variables may well have the desire to be a pilot, but also have the desire to be a mother and well off financially. If a female wants to complete a college degree and be in a financially stable position to start a family by a certain age, then a profession as a pilot doesn't provide that type of predictability.
A female turning 18 in 2006 and attending a 4 year aviation program to become a pilot may well have looked at the state of the industry 2 years into the program and realized that there was absolutely no way she would be able to complete her degree, gain enough experience to be hired at a major, and be in a secure position (both financially and from furlough) by the time she wanted to start having children (lets call it 27)
For the type of intelligent women that enter the pilot profession the decision to have a child is a well thought out decision process (yes there are surprises) that male pilots generally don't have to consider. While a male pilot does have to consider the financial burden, they do not have to consider all the other aspects that affect the career, time off, fmla, currency, etc.
It is completely conceivable that the females over the last 10 years that had the desire to become pilots also had the intelligence to realize that the state of the industry at the time was terrible and too unpredictable, even going forward from now, to adequately meet both their career and personal goals so they made the decision to enter other fields to achieve that same life balance we are all looking for. Just a thought.
For the last 10+ years the pilot profession has not been exactly lucrative nor predictable. A college age female trying to plan her future and consider all variables may well have the desire to be a pilot, but also have the desire to be a mother and well off financially. If a female wants to complete a college degree and be in a financially stable position to start a family by a certain age, then a profession as a pilot doesn't provide that type of predictability.
A female turning 18 in 2006 and attending a 4 year aviation program to become a pilot may well have looked at the state of the industry 2 years into the program and realized that there was absolutely no way she would be able to complete her degree, gain enough experience to be hired at a major, and be in a secure position (both financially and from furlough) by the time she wanted to start having children (lets call it 27)
For the type of intelligent women that enter the pilot profession the decision to have a child is a well thought out decision process (yes there are surprises) that male pilots generally don't have to consider. While a male pilot does have to consider the financial burden, they do not have to consider all the other aspects that affect the career, time off, fmla, currency, etc.
It is completely conceivable that the females over the last 10 years that had the desire to become pilots also had the intelligence to realize that the state of the industry at the time was terrible and too unpredictable, even going forward from now, to adequately meet both their career and personal goals so they made the decision to enter other fields to achieve that same life balance we are all looking for. Just a thought.
SARCASM OFF
What you posted is probably what many of the women I referenced in the prior post would say. Did their "homework" and simply chose differently. As well as the the gender rift that males can often times pursue more mechanical/technical subjects and females often times don't.
Those females that pursued it (pilot) despite the "dark decade" as well as the hurdles/obstacles to domestic realities and having a family were more than likely full aware. As well as more than likely had parents/relatives in the industry, whatever. And had a frame of reference going into it.
Too bad it's simply all too easy for people to look at the numbers/percentages and and ASSume/scream it's a bias/discrimination as opposed to an internal/introspective examination of the how/why.
01-07-2017, 04:04 PM
#115
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,709
So what does ANY OF THIS have to do with the airlines using these job fairs as their primary means of recruiting? And by default forcing candidates to pay high fees to these organizations to have a chance at getting an interview?
01-07-2017, 04:09 PM
#116
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,676
Originally Posted by Airhoss
So what does ANY OF THIS have to do with the airlines using these job fairs as their primary means of recruiting? And by default forcing candidates to pay high fees to these organizations to have a chance at getting an interview?
But sadly, the guy(s) that completely read your previous posts the WRONG WAY and see things that AREN'T there will always do that. And sadly bandwidth/oxygen has to be expended explaining to their simpleton minds what was so obvious from the get go.
'Murica, eff yeah!!!!!!!!!
01-07-2017, 04:39 PM
#117
UCH Pilot
Joined APC: Oct 2014
Position: 787
Posts: 776
Originally Posted by popcorn
You're exactly right. And these women may be in lower paying seats BECAUSE they had to refuse upgrade (preserve relative seniority in order to bid flexible schedules) and take all that time off for family care. Which is exactly what I was referring to. And our industry is one of the most equal in terms of pay. The disparity in the other professions is much worse.
Forbes: Wage Gap is a Myth
01-07-2017, 04:43 PM
#118
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2015
Posts: 859
Originally Posted by Airhoss
So what does ANY OF THIS have to do with the airlines using these job fairs as their primary means of recruiting? And by default forcing candidates to pay high fees to these organizations to have a chance at getting an interview?
I spoke with 12 airlines in one day. If I did that one at a time it wouldn't be possible to get that much time off and probably cost me thousands of dollars to do so! (12 hotel rooms, vacation pay, rental cars, etc)
The one day fees are less than $150 bucks, tax deductible. I know people who flew in on a redeye, met up, and left the same day!
Anyone complaining about having to attend a one day job fair to see every possible employer in their career field is, quite frankly, unaware of how every other job market works! (constant ass kissing and schmoozing etc)
Besides all the complaining about the nature of these groups (which I believe is misguided) people complaining about them mostly have not been involved with the process and are getting bad information, probably from disgruntled guys who haven't been called.
UAL has 10k apps on file, most of those are 1k PIC, BA/BS degrees with clean records. Many are military. It may take a while for BK to get to you if you sit on your butt.
The only improvement would be for EVERY airline to host a free event over 7 days and allow everyone who wants to come a shot. Good luck getting UAL and AA and Mother D to pay for that!
Rant over, can we go back to counting our raise and bonuses!?!?
01-07-2017, 07:27 PM
#120
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2016
Posts: 57
Originally Posted by Airhoss
Everybody had better hurry up because BK is retiring this year.
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