Wow! You certainly seem to have things figured out. Check back in with me in 5 years after you have walked even 1/4 mile in my shoes and let me know what you think.

 

If you have to be "of good morale character" to hold an ATP why can't you guys practice that here? If you disagree with someone why don't you state why you feel he is wrong instead of trying to gang up on him. Obviously he doesn't know what you know....but do you know what he does? Maybe he has a better idea, maybe not. Come on guys if we can't get along how do you plan to "fix" what we are all complaining about?

 

RealityCheck...

This may be a reality check for you... Every airline is facing the pressure of current market conditions. Any airline that is paying above what the market will bear is destined for the bankrupcy courts. That is simply the reality of a market economy. Maybe you would rather that the industry return to protectionist regulation rather than allow the market to determine wage and benefit levels. Take a look at this article in the Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...031900425.html.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics over 50% of the pilots employed by part-121 US airline companies will be retiring within the next 10 years. If the mandatory age is extended at all it will only by by 2 to 5 years max. That means that nearly 38,000 pilots will need to be replaced over the next 10 to 15 years. Even if you take all of the pilots from the military, there will not be enough to fill the void. Can anyone say "outsourcing"? It won't take long for the airlines to start lobbying Congress to allow work visas for Indian pilots to come over here and fill the void. Kind of like the technology industry.

I have been a stock broker and financial advisor for many years. I am not going into the airline industry to have a sweet job working 8 to 14 days a month and make $200G a year. I am going into the airline industry because I love flying... even as a passenger. It will be a great joy to sit on the nose of such an amazing machine and launch skyward day after day.

Someone once said "Get a job doing what you truly love to do and you will never work a day in your life." I look forward to the day when I start getting paid to do what I have dreamed of my entire life.

 

that is sad, what else can we say Preacher

 

Don't be so ignorant. In due time you will see your love of flying fade. Flying is a job, don't be mistaken.

 

I don't believe we will have to bring in foreign pilots, well first because foreign airlines recruit American pilots because they simply don't have the infastructure to train pilots in mass numbers like we do, second there are a lot of young pilots out their right now (one of the reasons many say pay is so low at regionals, there is such a supply) that will be ready to fill the void (including myself )

What does this mean? better pay in the future for airline pilots and shorter times to get to the majors. A lot of pilots I have talked to say this is probably they best time in the history of aviation to be 23 and getting on with a regional, more thank likely people in my generation will be getting on with the majors before they are thirty.

As much as everyone likes to complain around here we need to look at the bright side of the current situation and realize there are some good things to look forward too!

Of course this also means it is a bad time to be in your late 50's with pensions going and pay at a low point.

 

The good news is that when all these retirements begin there will be upward pressure on the wages and benefits to get pilots on board. There will be a "seller's market". Supply and demand. Relatively constant supply of available jobs with a declining pool of available pilots. Large demand... short supply. Market forces work every time.

 

Don't underestimate the ingenuity of the Indians and the Chinese. They can set up training facilities very, very quickly. Especially China. They will throw government money at opportunities and make it happen like yesterday.

Why would they do that?? Take a look at Mexico... That country's second largest "industry" is money being sent home from workers in the USA. Also, the base country can tax the income of their expatriates at a very high level... much more than what they would collect if their people stay at home.

Gotta love the global economy.

 

sgrd0q remains mum and looks away unwittingly while whistling a tune!

 

It is highly unlikely that there will ever be a pilot shortage at the majors. Regionals maybe, if their pay keeps going to sh*t and this microjet thing really takes off.

The US is unique pilot-wise in that we have a vast general aviation infrastructure that can rapidly produce CFIs in 6-8 months who become entry-level airline pilots in 1-2 years. This system has always been able to fill the void (minimums vary between 500 and 10,000 depending on the demand). No other nation has GA the way we do (the Aussies have a fair bit owing to geography). Light airplane ownership and operation is regulated and taxed to the point of non-existence in most of the world.

Many foriegn nations (including China & India) send their military and/or civilian pilot trainees to the US to participate in our GA system. You simply cannot gain operational experience in most other places.

The concept of bringing in wholesale quantities of foriegn pilots is ludicrous...congress wouldn't go for it on security issues alone, not to mention union and public perception. And even if you did, since most of them would be trained here anyway, they would quickly become americanized...they won't work for $1.25/h for long when they realize that their mortgage payment is $2,500.00/month.

The only realistic foriegn threat is cabotage, where a foriegn vessel or aircraft can provide US domestic service. This is actually illegal, and not likely to change soon (again, security & political issues).

I can understand your willingness to take an opportunity to do something that you have always wanted to, but don't come in with the attitude that you're going get it by taking shortcuts and undercutting the livelihoods of people who have worked for it and have familys to feed. That sort of individual is generally despised in this industry...you won't be welcome.