What do you think?
01-05-2009, 06:13 AM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Posts: 737
I don't see why hiring wouldn't strongly resume again in 4 years when pilots hit 65. The economy should be at least okay by then, which will help more people fly and....once again, there are a lot of pilots that are going to retire. Even without growth the attrition will be high, leading to hiring at all levels. I haven't been around that long, but isn't this hiring and furloughing cycle pretty much the norm in an airline career?
01-05-2009, 07:16 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: RJ driver
Posts: 320
Hiring will go up as more pilots retire, but the big question will be "Who will be doing the hiring?" If United or USAirways goes down for the count, their A320 and 737 pilots will be much more competitive for hiring than a RJ captain with 1000 hours total PIC.
Hiring will pick up as the economy improves. A year is a good guess and fits the projections in the business section. The legacy airlines are still parking aircraft and this won't change. They will downsize their fleets and outsource their domestic flying. All age 65 retirements will do is preventing furloughing, not induce hiring.
Speaking of age 65, not many pilots I've talked to about it plan on sticking around until age 65. Many are looking at 62. Even if they wanted to stick around until 65, many won't be able to maintain a First Class medical due to a lifetime of indiscretionary health habits. The number one reason most people of all occupations avoid early retirement is the lack of medical insurance until Medicare kicks in at 65. Airlines could induce earlier retirements by addressing this problem.
Hiring will pick up as the economy improves. A year is a good guess and fits the projections in the business section. The legacy airlines are still parking aircraft and this won't change. They will downsize their fleets and outsource their domestic flying. All age 65 retirements will do is preventing furloughing, not induce hiring.
Speaking of age 65, not many pilots I've talked to about it plan on sticking around until age 65. Many are looking at 62. Even if they wanted to stick around until 65, many won't be able to maintain a First Class medical due to a lifetime of indiscretionary health habits. The number one reason most people of all occupations avoid early retirement is the lack of medical insurance until Medicare kicks in at 65. Airlines could induce earlier retirements by addressing this problem.
01-05-2009, 07:20 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: RJ driver
Posts: 320
01-05-2009, 06:47 PM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: Seat 0B
Posts: 1,214
01-05-2009, 07:42 PM
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2008
Position: EMB 145 CA/FO
Posts: 71
What happened in 06 and 07 will happen again. Pilots who come from military/college backgrounds flying for the majors that have been furloughed twice (United) will not come back. Pilots who just got hired by the regionals for 18k then got furloughed will probably not come back. The best advice I could give you would be to watch the economy not the airline for your hints on a recovery/hiring boom.
If you are a low time guy and are really want to make come money and have an adventure look into going overseas to Africa and flying for the UN. Or PM me and I will try to help you out.
If you are a low time guy and are really want to make come money and have an adventure look into going overseas to Africa and flying for the UN. Or PM me and I will try to help you out.
