Flying Job Scales Tilt Toward Pilots

When I wrote the second edition of Professional Pilot Career Guide a few years back, a great economy was in full swing with many more flying jobs than there were pilots to accept. If it had not been for the economy taking a nosedive  in 2008, the pilot shortage would easily have become a fact, not a dream.

But of course the U.S. and much of the world economy took a huge nosedive which put thousands of pilots on the street and brought hiring to a halt. Over the past three years, many people have simply given up the dream and decided an aviation career isn’t worth the effort. For those folks I can only say “I’m sorry,” because the hiring boom is just around the corner.

I sat down with Louis Smith, President of FLTops.com, the pilot career information service during their recent job fair in Chicago. If you’ve ever had a hankering to fly for a living, I hope you’ll give this podcast (below) a listen because Smith makes it clear that the airlines have finally realized there aren’t enough professional aviators out there to match attrition and retirements.

For those who say they can’t imagine working for the crummy wages of the regionals, I won’t pull the wool over your eyes. The wages are poor, but the incentives to convince pilots to fly are here beginning with American’s recent decision to offer a seniority number to any American Eagle pilot on the job by late next month. It won’t be the last nudge to fly either.

Remember too, it’s not the end of the world to spend a few years seasoning yourself before you try for the big time. Besides beefing up your resume, that experience might just someday save your life. (Applicants meet airline recruiters face-to-face in Chicago. Where were you?) — Rob Mark, Publisher