Simviation Forums

Im faced with a bit of a dilema at the moment, whether to go to uni or not. I have got a place at Durham to study Software Engineering, starting in October ... but i don't know if i should just bite the bullet and do the commercial flight training.

Basically what im saying, is how secure do you guys think a job as an airline pilot will be ... seeing as I will need to be flying for like the next 40 years? With fuel prices skyrocketing, like $137 a barrel the other day I don't really see how the industry is gonna cope. The thing that worrys me the most is the idea of getting to the age of 30, losing my job as a pilot due to an industry slow down & having no career to fall back on ... which is why im thinking the degree is probably a good idea!

Also got stage 2 selection with CTC Wings on Wednesday, which presents the same dilema (not that i really expect to get through!)

So basically, what does the future hold for us pilots? Opinions please

**this is here in the U.S... so it might not apply overseas***

Well... the good thing would be that if you got laid off at age 30, anything else you'd do would be a step up, financially. A fast food restaurant manager makes much more than a 30 year-old airline pilot.

It's not like it was years ago, when a displaced airline pilot had to give up a great salary. You'd can literally maintain the life-style, delivering pizza.

I've seen many a graduate from Ohio State University's aviation program, come through our club on their way to airline jobs. Most have come back to get real jobs, and instruct on the side. A few have landed soild careers in aerial photography.. some have gotten out of flying, all together.

If you're young, and single with no obligations, and can live on $500 / week... and can wait a decade or more to earn a living wage.. you'll be in a good place with some airline. You just need to be patient, and flexible.

...get a job as a Plumber...

..."Burst Pipe Fixers" are always in demand.... ...!

Paul ......Retired Electrical Engineer... 8-)...!

I could never understand folks wanting to fly aeroplanes for a living... fer cryin' out loud!........!

Flying an aeroplane is a Hobby.... in between earning your living doing proper things....LOL...!

The future for commercial pilots, particularly airline pilots, has always been uncertain... I don't know anybody in the business today who is looking for security.

The important question seems to be "Do I love it enough to take a chance?", not "How bright a future will I have in this business?"

Of course, for a few decades now, professional pilots have been wise to have a Plan B; some other interest or skill they can fall back on.

Airlines and other employers want to interview degree-holders, but it does not have to be an aviation-related degree. So finish what you've started (that degree sounds like an excellent choice, and you've been accepted), and try to figure out a way to pursue that dream.

Beyond what the others have said here, look beyond the airline route too! Try corporate! The private jet flying industry is certainly more stable than the airlines, and the pay and schedule probably works out better too in most circumstances.

Beyond what the others have said here, look beyond the airline route too! Try corporate! The private jet flying industry is certainly more stable than the airlines, and the pay and schedule probably works out better too in most circumstances.

One that note, alongside CTC, have you nb'd that NetJets are doing a cadet pilot scheme.

If worst comes to the worst, you can always accept the uni place anyway. You can always then drop out at an early stage if other avenues are successful. It may cost a little in the short term, but then again, if you are frugal and put any student loan in a high interest account you can pay it straight back.

I was talking to an Alaskan Bush pilot the other day, and he said that the numbers of bush pilots are getting smaller, but if you want a real flying job, and can live on less than $50,000 a year, the possible of dying slow, cold, and alone in the most beautiful part of the world then go for it

For more info on the immediate future, look here:

http://www.simviation.com/cgi-bin/yabb2 ... 1212120721

to add to this discussion - the fractionals are good but only SO good.

Flight Options for example has just laid off 75 pilots.

wow, thanks for the big response guys! Exactly what i didn't want to hear though  ;D oh well, fingers crossed i will get turned away at CTC then i'll have to go to Uni, no tough decisions!

I hadn't actually noticed the NetJets one Charlie, that does look great!
Current plan is carry on trying hard with CTC, if i get in its just meant to be...if not i will do the sensible thing and go to uni and then apply for seriously afterwards! That degree will totally set me up for life, even making the idea of self-sponsership not a particularly big deal!

thanks again for taking all the time to reply lads, sorry i don't have the time to reply individually! will keep you posted, unless i get rejected...then i will  :-X

Why not pursue a degree in something else and take up flying as a hobby?  That's what I plan to do (grant it aviation better be good for my career choice).

But like others have said, do what feels best and what you most want to do.  So what if the airlines tank and you're out a job, you can find another I'm sure.  It really doesn't matter as long as you enjoy what you are doing, right?

I might add one commentary:

Things may seem to be going downhill right now, but they will pick back up.  I've met with and heard from many people in the aviation industry and they all say that periods like this happen.  Aviation is very cyclical, and it will rebound from this sort of recession.  Yea, a lot of airlines have been tanking lately and I can almost guarantee a few more will go down before this whole thing is over, but air travel as an institution will survive because it is just a necessity now.  Over the next few years things will be a little low, but with the next generation of jets just on the horizon and new research being done in the aerospace industry things will turn around within the next 5 to 10 years more than likely

[quote]Why not pursue a degree in something else and take up flying as a hobby?

the problem with pilot jobs and degrees... is that you are paid by seniority, equipment and seat, not based on your credentials.

for example, year one, CRJ, First Officer = XX pay per hour.

I know a guy on the seniority list below me who has a Bachelors degree in mathematics, and a masters in business management... and it is giving him a whopping 23,000 USD per year

The interviewers at the airline level dont care whether you have a degree in basket weaving or a degree in astrophysics... its just a piece of paper to them... all they want to know is if you have the proper certification to fly planes, and the number of hours to qualify for the job.

My advice: If you have a degree (or you are going to get one) which will allow you to "know for a fact" that you will be earning over 100K annually before your 30 years old doing something besides flying - thats the better deal!!  :o  and i strongly recommend you take it.

i know it seems like flying a 172 and a 747 is a huge difference - and for the first few weeks of work there might seem to be. but in the end the only difference between a 152, 172, SAAB, CRJ, 737, 747, 777, A380 etc is how long it takes the passengers to get on and off, and how much your getting paid. they all go up in the air and in the end thats where we would rather be.

no matter what nation you live in, flying jobs dont bring that kind of money for many many years. If my career continues as it has been, i will finally break 75K a year right around the time i cross my mid 40s... im 29 years old right now.

if flying professionally is your dream as you say... follow it and dont let anyone tell you not to or that you cant.  ;)  but KNOW what your getting into.  ;)

I guess the main thing about the degree requirement is to show you can commit and finish something that requires study and discipline...?

Why fly for a hobby when you can do your hobby as a job?

As for the current situation, I'm not sure how different it is in Europe as regards jobs. Certainly the small niche airlines are struggling (Eos, Silverjet etc), but then again they were potentially flawed business models established on generous finance in the first place.

As for a degree. Can't do you any harm. I not in a position to comment on whether British or European airlines offer any benefits to graduate entrants (unlike the RAF where graduate entrants start with around 30 months seniority, and with it around