Aviation and higher gas prices?

Question

What do you think about higher gas prices and aviation? Do you think in the next decade it will bring most airlines down? I mean, obviously general aviaion won't really be around. It's too bad, I was hoping to be a pilot but I don't think that will be an option in 8 years. My back up plan is ATC, but what traffic will there be to control?

Answer 1

No , the airlines will be here , so will general aviation , you need to stop overreacting and realize that the world needs aviation , it's not going to disappear.Even though gas prices go up ,  they are still  controlled  , believe it or not and it will eventually have to stop rising.

Answer 2

There are waaaaaaay too many airline seats in the air and the industry can't make money like that. A bunch of airlines are going down and a bunch of airplanes are gonna get parked. Ticket prices must go up or the industry is toast. People will tell you that we will always have airlines because we need them so. But either shareholders start seeing a return on thier investment or things will change big time.

And avrilfan, you do realize that in the seventies you speak of, the airlines were regulated and the government subsidiesd

the airlines right. It didn't matter what oil cost back then because we taxpayers ensured airline profits. But deregulation occured in 1979 in case you haven't heard. Big brother  is no longer their to help and most airlines still haven't learned how to run a business profitably. Southwest and Jet Blue are giving them a lesson in "make money 101" but most of the big guys are to far gone at this point.

Answer 3

John B is right! The airlines were totally regulated before 1979. The government decided which airline flew which route and how much they would charge. The airlines are somewhate regulated today. But, not to the extent they once were. The FAA still has oversight. But that is for the purpose of your safety.

John B is totally right in saying that the airlines are poorly managed. Most of the airlines were in trouble in the eighties and nineties because they were poorly run. 9-11 was the icing on the cake. 9-11 caused the "travel industry" to lose just over 100,000 jobs. Many of them were in the airline industry. Many mechanics, pilots, agents and so fourth were out of work due to the lack of confidence of the public for there safety. Today, the number of passenger-seat-miles exceeds pre 9-11 numbers. However, many of the jobs have not returned. This is a result of poor management.

As for the gas prices, airlines are burning gas that was paid for ten years ago.  They buy it at todays rates for use in the future. Eventually, the gas prices will have an even greater effect. The days of easy oil are gone. The days of cheap tickets are coming to an end. I believe that there will be a thinning of the airline fleets. What makes more sense? Two planes half-full leaving New York for Florida three hours apart or one full plane leaving from New York to Florida.

I am an A&P mechanic and I go to Embry-Riddle. Aviation has been my love and livelyhood since 1987. I cannot see myself doing anything else. I love aviation enough to stick with it during the ups and downs. You have to be willing to do the same.

You can look into the military. They have pilot programs for fixed-wing and rotary-wing  aircraft. There are many pilots in my Air National Guard Unit who are also airline pilots. Some of them now rely on the military for their paychecks.

Aviation is a risky business. But very rewarding. Good Luck!

Answer 4

Man if it's your dream to be a pilot then don't give up.

We never know what Oil we may strike.

We need to stop relaying on the Arabs for gas prices and get our own resources.

No there will always be a need for aviation.

ATC is a cool job and Ive been in a few towers and what not but it isn't for you.

Answer 5

My man, aircraft are  as essential as the air itself, we will never see a time from here foward without them.

Answer 6

I think SilverJet had to ground all their aircraft recently, simply because they can not afford to get them airborne at this time.

Virgin Atlantic are working with oil companies to develop renewable aviation fuels. Look Here...http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/all...

Don't wory, they'll figure something out! (we hope)

.

Answer 7

You are being overly pessimistic. Just recall the days in the early seventies when oil was a few dollars per barrel and then it started going up. There was a slowdown in the travel industry for some time till the new pricing structure made some sense to the people and they mentally accepted the facts and adjusted themselves, the industry and the whole world accordingly. Developed countries came out with fuel economising ideas and then everything was the same as before.

The current surge in gas prices will not 'bring down' most airlines since this industry has become indispensable for our existence. General aviation will most certainly be around and may even be thriving as far as we are concerned. Aviation is too deeply rooted in our system. If I were you, I would not change my mind and still plan to be a pilot. After some time you will recall my words when you see airlines still running just as they are now.

Answer 8

american airlines is getting rid of free snacks!! =[

airlines r gonna start charging more for other stuff too

we need hybrid planes

d**n gas prices

Answer 9

What John B said about deregulation is essentially correct.  It was easier for the airlines to stay in business against rising costs 30 years ago than it is now.

Airlines will not go away completely, and neither will General Aviation.  But they will be severely curtailed over the next decade or so.

I am hoping the people will have sense enough to revive good and extensive rail service in this country.  The oil companies and their puppets in the government will fight it tooth and claw, but they may not be able to have their way for the time being, and some sensible things may happen.

We used to have fast, efficient rail passenger service in this country, and it was pleasant to ride that way.  Let's hope the people who have some good sense, when they get back in office next January, will be able to bring it back.

Answer 10

I hear ATC pays a great salary, but that it is very high stress (check out Pushing Tin with John Cusack).  Make sure you know what you are getting into.