Skyhifan,

Can you elaborate on the reasons why you are not a fan of this industry? I have an idea, but would just like to hear your reasons.

Thanks.

 

The zero-to-hero thing goes back about ten years. Ever heard of ATA? You might not have if you're young.

 

Overall, probably positive outlook but not quit as hot as 2006-2007 (assuming no catastrophes).

But there are really many other things to consider before you decide to jump in. The question of industry timing is a total crapshoot. Do all you can to get educated and make informed decisions, but even then there are no guarantees. Look at two pilots who got hired 20 years ago...

Pilot A: Got hired at an up-and-coming major airline. The future's so bright he's gotta wear shades!

Pilot B: Hired at an all-cargo operator, plans on getting some experience and moving on to pax airlines. He would prefer to have Pilot B's job.

Where are our heroes today?

Pilot A: Reserve FO on a big regional jet in PHL.
Pilot B: Works 7 days/month, makes $300K+

These are real-world examples...

 

My ultimate goal, if I do decide to become a commercial pilot, would be to fly cargo (i.e. Fed-X or UPS). I know those places have alot of competition for pilot slots, but I am thinking 10 yrs down the road. To be honest, the reason I believe that the industry has a positive outlook (barring a major catastrophe) is because I think that major carriers are going to keep moving many flights to the regional airlines and focus more on long leg trips and international travel. Also, I believe that technology is going to allow scientists to create an alternate type of fuel that is going to cut airline costs. Do I think the industry is ever going to get back to paying their pilots a king's ransom, absolutely not, but I do think that hourly pay will increase somewhat. I mean to be frankly honest with you, I would be happy making anywhere from 80k-150k working only 15 days a month. With that time off, you can open up a business on the side, or do a side job.

Let me know what you think.

 

There certainly were examples before the last couple years, but I wouldn't have called them commonplace or an epidemic like some of the places out there now. I remember when "quick upgrade" meant you only had to fly sideways for a couple years.

Well, do it because you love to fly. Don't do it for any specific working conditions. IF the airline industry is anything, it's volatile, and I'm not sure I would have gone in for any specific reason other than loving to fly. The way I would look at it would always be worst case scenario. "Would I continue flying if, for the rest of my from, say on, flying because similar to a normal job, where you show up to work, put in your 10 hours a day, and do that 5-6 days a week? And got paid a reasonable salary of, say, $75k for the rest of my life?" If you're ok with that, then you know you love flying for flying, and are at least happy with an office with a way better view. Is it going to get that bad? Not foreseeably, and it would mean a huge step down from the current situation, but that's not an unbearable situation, and if you love to fly, then it'll probably be worth it.

Just so you know, that was a pretty extreme example, so please nobody jump down my throat for it!

 

I have been on both sides.... I'll take the less than perfect flying job over some BS office job any day of the week on twice on sundays.

 

I'll second that. If any of you ever held an office job either in the military or as a civilian, and everytime an aircraft flew by you looked up, then you know what HercDriver is talking about. It doesn't matter even if the desk job pays lot more with impressive titles and has a great office furniture with the window view, if you love to fly, you will not be at peace with yourself until you get back in the air even if you have to fly a regional jet or a turboprop or for that matter any aircraft.

 

I'm a much happier person since I left my better paying desk job. That doesn't mean I want to work my whole career for peanuts with crappy working conditions. People seem to equate job satisfaction with accepting crappy pay.

 

Desk jobs do suck. I have one right now. I want to definitely fly, but my concern is this: I invest alot of money into flight training, then I finish training and begin to flight instruct. After a few months flight instructing, I am ready to enter the industry. Suddenly, the airlines stop hiring and Im SOL. Is this a legitimate concern, or am I just being pesimistic?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to this screwed up industry. I would recommend training on your own time while in your present job. Don't jump ship until you have your CFI. If the market looks good for the next year, get a teaching job to gain some experience full time and move on in a year. If it doesn't look so rosy, stay put, get a part time gig and wait it out.