fying for a living
 

Anyone know if the number of "aspiring pilots" has decreased over the last couple of years? I just can't believe that people still want to enter this business with all the factors involved(i.e. low pay, bad qol, divorce, bankruptcy etc etc)

Well somebody needs to fly the aircraft and shuttle passengers/cargo...

There are too many as it is, that's why so many are out of a job.

I understand. But those who really wanted to and had enough hours could probably find a job internationally. If they really want to fly and be in this profession, i'd guess they go to whatever means neccessary to acheive it.

True. I'd do that myself, but it would be too hard on my wife and kids. Did a couple trips to South America and it drove my kids (2.5yo and 1yo) nuts because I couldn't call to say good night.

:(

So are you flying at all right now or have any game plan?

Right now I'm only flying in my recliner, but I have a few connections that let me up to poke holes in the sky, and I know someone that sends me to ferry Jetstreams around. At the moment I am preparing myself for Republic's interview. Don't have one scheduled yet, but I know its quick after you send your resume when they call. So I want to be ready to go. As a back up plan I already have a job offer for a PIC in a Jetstream in PA doing 135.

Cool. Well best of luck!.

How many TT and ME hours do you have?

I have about 1600tt, little over 1300 multi, and about 1200ish in the JS31 and JS32. Lucked out and landed a job with low time, but bad management closed the doors. From what I've seen on-line on the flight tracking programs the owner is still trying to fly but not getting much business.

Difficult to decrease the aspiring pilot ranks...The loans are easy to get. The glossy ads w/ brand new jet, playmate like F/A's w/ hands all over the Captain sucker the kids into the profession...

A lot of kids have their trust funds / parents money to burn. How many parents do you know out there that have any accurate info about aviation? I'm talking about the ones not involved in the business...



-LAFF

True. But just based on all the news about bankruptcies, furloughs and pilots going on strike, I am sure they have at least the very basic view of how the industry is now. Before I really looked into aviation seriously I figured just based on news stories that most major type airlines had layed half their people off. Which, it isn't as bad as that, as there is at least one legacy (Continental I believe) which has 0 furloughs. But it still isn't too great either.

People always like to think positive about how things will turn out. Which, in of itself, is not a bad thing. But being positive has nothing to do with reality. I was very dreamy eyed about the flying career and thought that I'd get myself into the regionals and in 3-5 years, into a major airline. Well...I wasn't educated enough to learn just how bad the industry really is. I thought, eh, these old timers with their b!tchin' and moanin', they need a new attitude and fresh minds. Yeah, well...now I know those pilots were right on after reading these forums everyday. And as for the money part, flight training is mad expensive and if you don't have that Bank of Mom and Dad to pay for it all, it's damn hard to get into the industry. In this game, I've learned one thing. You need money to be able to fly for a career, as hypocritical as that sounds. When you have money, making a mistake getting into the industry won't cost you a dime and certainly won't hurt your progress through life. When you don't, well, you're stuck with huge debts and a broken dream.

Those glossy ads is what caught me with my pants down. That and a whole bunch of broken promises, lies, and bullsh!t CAPT buried me in. I just hope the kids these days with their access to the Internet will be smart enough to do a lot more research and stay the hell away from glossy ad programs...or at least go with the ones that have been in the business for many, many, many years.