Is it still a good idea to become a pilot w/ the economy.....?

Question

the way it is? I've been researching flight schools for about a year and I think I've found the one I would like to train at and recently I've been seeing a lot of stuff in the news about commercial airline layoffs. Would this still be a wise thing to do?

Answer 1

If you that is what you want to do....go for it.  Airlines are having problems now and will not be hiring much for several years.  By they time that your done with flight training and college it should be a lot better.  The corporate flight jobs are still pretty good.  I have one that I love and the passengers that I fly around have more money than they know what to do with.  It hasn't slowed down at all.

Answer 2

If becoming an airline pilot has always been your dream, just do it!

Answer 3

If you have the means to pursue the dream, go for it.  There is a shortage of commercial airline pilots at this time.  

Between the mandated retirement age for commercial pilots and the current economic crisis their ranks have been reduced.  However, when the economy gets back on track there will be a mayor need for new pilots.  

If you start now you will be ahead of the game.

American Eagle for example is now interviewing pilots with as little as 500 hours, whereas previously the minimum was 1500 hours just to get to the interview.

You have to be passionate about flying though because it will be a while before the high paying pilot positions come back...  and of course you will have to pay your dues just to get to that level.  But if this is something you have your heart on, go for it.  You might be able to find economic assistance, especially if you enroll in a college program that offers aviation classes.

Answer 4

maybe I'm the pessimist here but I have put my training on hold. I am just not finishing my instrument, when I'm done with that I'm going to finish my degree rather than finish my flight training.

Yes, the industry will come around and everything will be just fine, but I see it getting worse before it gets better. The price of fuel is not going to do anything but go up, and when it does come back down, I think it will be too late for the airlines.  As we get more and more into this recession, people are going to have less disposable incomes, meaning less flights from individuals. Businesses that used to send many people flying all over the country are also feeling the pressure, and they will save costs where they can. As the price of an airline ticket goes up, travel will be among the first things cut if other means, such as conference calls will work for them.

If you really want to learn to fly, don't let me stop you! In fact, I encourage it! Get your private license and see if you enjoy it. By the time you get it, you will have a better idea of what the economy is doing and you will be able to make a better decision.

I would suggest you start with gliders, at least for about your first 5 hours. They cost less and will teach you much more stick and rudder skills than an airplane will. Its just a little trick to save yourself some money, and get a unique experience at the same time!

Answer 5

This industry goes in cycles.  There will be times when it feels like every airline is laying off pilots and there will be times when they are hiring.  It takes a lot of luck and good timing to be successful.  If you want to fly for a living bad enough, go for it.  You just have to be prepared to handle one, or a few, furloughs in your career.  Also be prepared to spend your entire career at the regional airline level.

Answer 6

I would do it as long as you have a backup to fall back on because i was sitting by some pilots in a restaurant yesterday and i heard them talking about how the airlines were going down the tubes so just be careful

Answer 7

Yes, still persue it.  The Economy will turn.  The demand for piltos before the fuel crunch was around what it was pre 9/11.  People were getting hired with 500 total time.  Fuel will drop and people will want to spend money agian at some point.