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Hi all!

I am a Junior in high school, and I am planning to apply to the Auburn Aviation Program next year and I also plan to apply to the Delta Propel Program. I was just wondering, with all the talk of the Boeing NMA, how likely is it that pilots are forced to operate remotely or are even replaced by AI? Will this happen within my generation?
This site has really helped me in choosing my career path and thank y’all so much!

Jack

I wouldn’t worry too much about it, but either way I’d recommend getting a more useful/versatile degree.

No, if you want to be a pilot, there will be a job, do not worry about that. As mentioned though, life has many detours in store for you, many of which you can not conceive of. I understand at 17, you are indestructible/going to live forever, but as you mature, you will slowly get more pragmatic.
Get the best education in something you may enjoy in case aviation isn't the best course someday.
All it takes is one serious accident, medical diagnosis, etc to lose your medical clearance to be a pilot.
There are some people who simply don't like the lifestyle.
Bottom line, get an education, have a backup plan, enjoy the journey, and yes there will be jobs flying planes for the next 50 years.

You’ll still have a solid career ahead of you and I wouldn’t lose sleep over it, but I’ll wager you will see single pilot aircraft before you hit 65. Maybe just in cargo but they’ll be around. International crews will also see reductions in manning.

To a further extent, if you want a degree in aviation, then go for it. A degree takes passion, and if you are passionate about aviation, run with it.

I got an aviation degree and I don't regret it. Of course I haven't lost my medical and had to pursue a different career either.

I got an aviation degree because I love aviation and wanted to make it a career, I'm glad i did.

Being an airline pilot is a great job and career. Pursue it full speed ahead. Get on an airline seniority list as soon as you can

Don't worry about automation taking your job, I don't think that'll happen in our lifetime. I would suggest however studying something at school that could complement any flying experience to help you get a desk job later on as a plan B in case you lose your medical. Not just for you specifically, I think everyone ought to have a plan B. For example, I know some people work on airfield management, human factors, software engineering, etc etc., because all of those specific areas when matched with real world experience in aviation can lead straight to a mid-level job without having to spend years in a truly entry level position. At the very least, an airline pilot can claim experience as a small team leader and supervisor to jump a couple years up the hiring ladder when pursuing a non-flying career when they're done flying. So don't waste your time in school, get whatever degree you want but take some classes in associated fields that could get you acquainted with a variety of areas you could fall back on if flying doesn't work out long term.

Well in 2008 being a furloughed pilot with a bachelors in finance helped me zero.

OP,

If I look into me completely unscientific crystal ball I’d say a 17yr old going into aviation today gets the axe somewhere in their high earning years around 50 years old where replacing that income could prove very hard.

The Boeing NMA doesn't exist right now, it's still just a market study. If you are in High School now, it means you'll be a captain at a major long before it enters service.

Get the aviation degree, do the Propel program, come to Endeavor, then in a few years ,move to Delta. Degree's are worthless these days, other than checking that box, the Delta Propel program is worth far more than some backup degree.