Where the flight engineers go when no seat available for them?

Question

For example if an airline retires its last 747-100, 747-200, 747-300, 747SP, DC-10, L-1011 and other aircraft where they still working on, where they go?

Answer 1

It depends on the contract, if they have one.  Some allow the PFE (professional flight engineer) time to gain enough flight experience to get their ATP and take a position facing forward (again depending on seniority, some I believe have been allowed to move directly to Captain).  Others might be furloughed, or their position terminated.

Already, some airlines have replaced the DC-10 (2 pilots and FE) with the MD-11 (two pilots).  The newer aircraft, 757, 767, 777 for example, are two pilots only and the third crew member is only as a required international relief pilot per FARs and ICAO rules.

Answer 2

Those are intercontinental Aircraft they do need engineers, but if an airline retired its international aircraft and only serviced something lower than a Boeing 737, or A320 flight engineers would probly be no longer needed and laid off. Not a good day in anyones book.

Answer 3

back to their tool boxes.... just kiddin... most are prof pilots.. they just jump ino the right seat..

Answer 4

Newer aircraft usually do not have a Flight Engineer as computer systems replace the place that would have been theirs. if there ment to be a Flight Engineer there will be a seat for them on the flight deck and a console where they can constanly analyse the flight data such as various pressures etc.

Answer 5

Flight engineers are all pilots.  If a change in inventory results in a surplus of employees, the company will try to absorb as many as possible.  Those who cannot be absorbed will be "outplaced," which is a nice word for "laid off."

Answer 6

As a former USAF flight engineer there have been times when I didn't have a seat available to me or I was needed to operate the frequency crystals on the old VHF radios when landing at Templehof airport in Berlin Germany. The frequencies changed so often that I never had a chance to sit down. And God pity you if you screwed up, you were threatened to be shot down! This was in the mid 1960's.

Answer 7

They either retire or get jobs as First Officers.

Most were simply upgraded to FOs and have since become captains.  If there is no seat for the FE, they are not required, and they were typically simply given a new job.

Answer 8

Not all flight engineers are pilots.  A few of us are PFE's, professional flight engineers.  You do have a choice, if you get enough notice you can begin the upgrade process, get your pilot ratings then move up to FO and beyond.  You can try to find work flying somewhere else, like aerial tankers or box haulers in some third world country.  Or you can gracefully retire, buy yourself a little airplane and fly for the fun of it(that's what I've done)