NorthwestPilot

Hello Everyone,

I've been reading this forum for a while now, and I finally made an account. I really want to be an airline pilot, and I know that the Regional Industry is complete crap right now. By the time I'll graduate college and have the opportunity to work for an airline, it will be approximately be 2022-2023. I don't want to major in aeronautics, rather Environmental Sustainability in case things don't go exactly as planned...

So, what I'm asking, is, will there still be as many regional operators as there is today? Will airlines (Delta for example) continue to take in smaller aircraft to cover regional routes, therefore eliminating the Regional Level and bring flying back in house?

Will the pay and working conditions improve?

Thanks everyone!

buddies8

Yes.
No.
No.

ThreeStripe

Let me pass on the advice a United pilot gave me when I was in your place. Get a degree in something other than aviation. If the economy or your health tanks, you need something to fall back on.

Bootleg

Will hopefully no longer exist.

JamesNoBrakes

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

3inthegreen

Having an ATP will serve you well in the future.

1. Don't go into debt to learn to fly.
2. Start flight training now.
3. Don't get a worthless aviation degree.
4. Don't worry about the future, none of us can control it.

In my opinion, the regional airlines will look much different then they do now. I think they will always exist to a certain point, can't make money flying a 737 to Waco TX from DFW. However I think drastic change is coming. Many of the names will change, some will die, some will grow, but overall as a whole the entire regional industry will shrink. Supply and demand would also suggest that pay and benefits should go up but given that most pilots are *****s when it comes to flying the basic rules of economics often don't apply to this industry. Good luck! Work hard, enjoy the moment you are living in, and play the cards life deals you one hand at a time.

pete2800

This times about a billion.

block30

If you're going to fly for a living I'd strongly recommend getting your flight training done, get your hours, get hired at a regional (I think management will fight tooth and nail for them to survive), *then* work on your degree online/in your free time. I passed up a hiring wave to instead focus on finishing my four year degree. I had more than enough hours to get hired right then and there, but I "I stayed in school" like that old wives tale that promises riches admonishes us to do. Dumb!!!

Non aviation degrees are probably a good idea, as others have said. Cheers.

402DRVR

This. I held a great flying job making near six figures without a degree. The degree is not everything. Get it after the fact. Aviation degrees are what they are. If you get one learn something about aviation outside of the cockpit like airport management or safety or something along those lines. Aviation is more than just the in the cockpit stuff.

There's lots of time to work on degrees after you get a job where you can start building hours. I have completed two while working full time as a pilot. (Thanks GI Bill) If you go this route though make sure you will commit to getting the degree. There are great jobs to be had without it but the legacies will likely continue to require it for some time yet. Just my .02 though ymmv.

Packrat

On the other hand, I know two guys who are stuck in substandard jobs because they don't have a degree. Both are in their 30's and "working on it."