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flybub 02-27-2020 06:36 AM

I'm far from the majors, but our flight school closed yesterday. We were told is directly related to the virus. We got notice to clean out our mailbox and leave key at the front desk, the company is ceasing operations effective immediately. 150 instructors on the street today looking for a job. We primarily trained Chinese students and with China air ops slowing to a crawl they are unable to pay the flight schools for the training. So, we essentially went bankrupt training all these kids and not being paid by their parent airline.

Bad management by my company? Probably has something to do with it. We just bought 20 airplanes a month ago and planned on ramping up operations to accommodate more students, so something tells me my company did not see this coming.

China and Chinese airlines not being transparent about the severity of the situation? Probably has more to do with it.

How many other flight schools are going to feel this pinch? How many instructors will not be getting to ATP minimums in a timely manner to fill seats at the regionals? Is this the next wave of the industry slow down?

feltf4 02-27-2020 07:15 AM


Originally Posted by hyperboy (Post 2984822)
What about secondary barriers? Thats the REAL threat.

No it starts at 1 out of 3 getting extra
Screening from TSA. THEN it starts at secondary barrier. And finally OXY mask.

Don’t forget to get extra screening.

feltf4 02-27-2020 07:19 AM


Originally Posted by flybub (Post 2985090)
I'm far from the majors, but our flight school closed yesterday. We were told is directly related to the virus. We got notice to clean out our mailbox and leave key at the front desk, the company is ceasing operations effective immediately. 150 instructors on the street today looking for a job. We primarily trained Chinese students and with China air ops slowing to a crawl they are unable to pay the flight schools for the training. So, we essentially went bankrupt training all these kids and not being paid by their parent airline.

Bad management by my company? Probably has something to do with it. We just bought 20 airplanes a month ago and planned on ramping up operations to accommodate more students, so something tells me my company did not see this coming.

China and Chinese airlines not being transparent about the severity of the situation? Probably has more to do with it.

How many other flight schools are going to feel this pinch? How many instructors will not be getting to ATP minimums in a timely manner to fill seats at the regionals? Is this the next wave of the industry slow down?


I know nothing about where you work. But, I’m guessing whoever runs the show was shutting doors regardless. I’m a believer this just needs to get to the second page of the news paper, and also people need to read more than just a headline. There are plenty of stats saying it’s slowing, the flu is worse, and that those basically with compromised immune systems are at risk (shocker!!)

Wash your hands. Cover your mouth. Ride it out, hopefully investors stop selling purely on emotion. And if they don’t. Hopefully you have some cash to ride the market on its way up.

PotatoChip 02-27-2020 07:27 AM


Originally Posted by flybub (Post 2985090)
I'm far from the majors, but our flight school closed yesterday. We were told is directly related to the virus. We got notice to clean out our mailbox and leave key at the front desk, the company is ceasing operations effective immediately. 150 instructors on the street today looking for a job. We primarily trained Chinese students and with China air ops slowing to a crawl they are unable to pay the flight schools for the training. So, we essentially went bankrupt training all these kids and not being paid by their parent airline.

Bad management by my company? Probably has something to do with it. We just bought 20 airplanes a month ago and planned on ramping up operations to accommodate more students, so something tells me my company did not see this coming.

China and Chinese airlines not being transparent about the severity of the situation? Probably has more to do with it.

How many other flight schools are going to feel this pinch? How many instructors will not be getting to ATP minimums in a timely manner to fill seats at the regionals? Is this the next wave of the industry slow down?

That sucks, hate to hear that.
But this relates to JetBlue how??

Glenn Would 02-27-2020 11:01 AM


Originally Posted by PotatoChip (Post 2985126)
That sucks, hate to hear that.
But this relates to JetBlue how??

Can’t speak exactly for him/her, but I can guess that it’s the concern of this potentially being the start of another Lost Decade for us. I know that’s definitely a fear of mine right now: being on the wrong side of the timing (still at a regional/time-building gig, or worse, close to retirement) with another 8-10 years of stagnation (at best), or shrinking/furloughs/bankruptcies/airline closures on the horizon. Now, whether it actually happens like it did from 9/11-2012 or not remains to be seen.

With that said, I do know that there are plenty of things we can do to prevent such a disaster from completely derailing us financially. Try to get rid of as much of your debt as quickly as you can, have a diverse portfolio and stay on top of it, have at least one other source of income (preferably something that has absolutely nothing to do with airlines/aviation), and continue to learn new marketable skills and apply them to the marketplace. My opinion, of course.

Bluedriver 02-27-2020 12:42 PM


Originally Posted by Glenn Would (Post 2985250)
Can’t speak exactly for him/her, but I can guess that it’s the concern of this potentially being the start of another Lost Decade for us. I know that’s definitely a fear of mine right now: being on the wrong side of the timing (still at a regional/time-building gig, or worse, close to retirement) with another 8-10 years of stagnation (at best), or shrinking/furloughs/bankruptcies/airline closures on the horizon. Now, whether it actually happens like it did from 9/11-2012 or not remains to be seen.

With that said, I do know that there are plenty of things we can do to prevent such a disaster from completely derailing us financially. Try to get rid of as much of your debt as quickly as you can, have a diverse portfolio and stay on top of it, have at least one other source of income (preferably something that has absolutely nothing to do with airlines/aviation), and continue to learn new marketable skills and apply them to the marketplace. My opinion, of course.

Might I suggest going 100% into Orange Juice futures?

ThreeStripe 02-27-2020 06:41 PM


Originally Posted by Bluedriver (Post 2985325)
Might I suggest going 100% into Orange Juice futures?

oh, I see what you did there. It was the Dukes, it was the Dukes.

likeitis 02-27-2020 08:29 PM


Originally Posted by feltf4 (Post 2985118)
No it starts at 1 out of 3 getting extra
Screening from TSA. THEN it starts at secondary barrier. And finally OXY mask.

Don’t forget to get extra screening.

If you talked to an ENT with knowledge of cockpit O2 systems your priorities may change.

Desdi 02-27-2020 08:40 PM


Originally Posted by likeitis (Post 2985670)
If you talked to an ENT with knowledge of cockpit O2 systems your priorities may change.

He was being facetious, can’t you tell?

He was referencing the Alpa Govt Affairs email with no reference to pushing for change to the O2 requirement, but concentrating on secondary barriers.

ridinhigh 03-01-2020 06:53 PM


Originally Posted by flybub (Post 2985090)
I'm far from the majors, but our flight school closed yesterday. We were told is directly related to the virus. We got notice to clean out our mailbox and leave key at the front desk, the company is ceasing operations effective immediately. 150 instructors on the street today looking for a job. We primarily trained Chinese students and with China air ops slowing to a crawl they are unable to pay the flight schools for the training. So, we essentially went bankrupt training all these kids and not being paid by their parent airline.

Bad management by my company? Probably has something to do with it. We just bought 20 airplanes a month ago and planned on ramping up operations to accommodate more students, so something tells me my company did not see this coming.

China and Chinese airlines not being transparent about the severity of the situation? Probably has more to do with it.

How many other flight schools are going to feel this pinch? How many instructors will not be getting to ATP minimums in a timely manner to fill seats at the regionals? Is this the next wave of the industry slow down?


I don’t want to sound rude but I’m a bit pleased the system is slowing them down for the worlds sake. There is only so much “growth” the earth will support. Seeing new plane after plane ferrying over there worries me on humanities future.
May you do as recommended above and pursue other avenues as a backup in the mean time to flying. 9-11 saw me doing construction for quite awhile and making more money than flying at the time. I’ve since used the education in that to line of work to take care of my own homes/rentals. As we are about to see flying is a luxury, not required for life. And 20 years later I’d probably be making more in construction still.
living the dream


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