MartyMcFly

Hey guys, I found this site and thought I'd ask this question.

I'll be getting my undergrad degree in a year and origionally was planning on law school. However, I keep rethinkings stuff and blah blah blah one of the careers I'm intrested in is to become a pilot. Ever since I was young blah blah blah I liked planes and flying blah blah blah even to the point where the night before going on vacation as a child I wouldn't be able to sleep because I loved going to the airport and getting on the planes so much. I'm sure you guys have heard it before. I have a cousin who's a pilot and came to live with my family about 8 years ago when he was training at a flight school here in Texas. He took my family up in a cessna a few times and I enjoyed that. Well, except for the first time when he did a few manuvers and I got sick, but that was the only time. He now flies for one of the airlines under Delta Connection.

I'm aware that prior to the whole sept 11th stuff that pilots were in fairly high demand and the job market was expected to grow pretty good. However, I'm wondering what the current job market is like, and how bad of a funk it is in due to the issues the major airlines have had in the past 3 and a half years? Or is it still pretty strong and pilots are in demand? Is it getting better?

SWAjet

McFly,

If flying planes is what you want to do, then jump in. Although the industry is currently in an overall funk, there are good pilots jobs out there. Don't base your decision to enter this profession based purely on today's status on an "expert's" wild guess what it will be like in 5 years. Truth is, nobody knows!

If you have ambition, then anybody can make it in this industry. Yes, there is risk in this profession. Mainly the risk of furlough or your company tanking. But should you base one of the most important decisions of your lifetime only on a possible furlough or two? Methinks not. Let me expand.

I have very many friends flying at many different carriers, and most are happy. Southwest, Comair, UPS, FedEx, Polar, Gemini, etc.. There is lots of competition currently on the streets, but by the time you arrive with the minimum experience required to get hired I can promise you the industry won't be faring as badly as it is today.

Follow your heart. If flying is something you really want to do, then screw the analysts, soothsayers, industry experts, and the like. Get tenacious! Jump in, network like a mofo, and you'll be glad you chose to become a pilot.

The E-Train

I just read this message post, and I agree with McFly. I'm in a similar current situation, where I'll be finishing my Masters degree in a year, and I currenlty have a job where I have to fly to get from one place to another, and it has also sparked an old time desire, and yes, like McFly, I couldn't sleep the night before vacations because of the excitement of flying.

My only problem with my undergrad and grad loans I will be looking at about 38 thousand in loans and top that off with another $75,000+ for flight school, and you could see me dillema....oh yes, and the fact that my fiance doesn't want that kind of debt.....

Any recs. on flight schools in Florida. Her parents live down there, so I figure if I could tell her that we would be in Florida, that might help the situation.

Thanks,

E-Train

TurboFan

You can get all of your ratings including CFI, CFI-I and MEI for much less than $75k. Problem is it will still be expensive (you might be able to get it all done for about $45K). As with any industry it's all about time or money. Which is more valuable to you? You can get everything you need and be working for a regional in as little as 15 months, but it's going to cost you. Likewise you can take your time getting your ratings at an FBO paying for the flights as you go without loans but it will most likely take some time.

I personally love the aviation industry, regardless of it's ups and downs. I was on track for a career in marketing before I decided to become a pilot and I've never looked back. There is no where I would rather be.

Slice

Dude, this thread is one month shy of 3 years old! Why reply?
Attention to detail, please.

SeamusTheHound

I'd love to find out what these two guys eventually did?

Slice

True and if that was why it was resurrected I wouldn't have a problem with it. It's pointless to offer advice 3 years later unless one just likes to hear themselves speak or type in this case.

TurboFan

Because I'm new, saw a thread at the top of the list and responded to it. My bad.

atpwannabe

Actually the proper term in use of the venacular is, "My bag".

Where the word "bad" came from; I have no idea. Take it from an expert.


atp