Expert: D. Norkus - 5/28/2008

Question
Hi:
   I am 29 years old and am seriously considering a career as an airline pilot.  I have looked through several different aviation magazines and the internet and have found flying schools offering all my ratings in as little as 3 months to as long as 2 years at a junior college.  It will probably take me somewhere in between to complete my training.  
My questions is, is this the right time to train for a career as an airline pilot, especially with very high fuel prices and airlines going under or cutting routes, not to mention a bad economy?  I read that airline hiring goes up and down and right now most are not hiring.  When do you expect the hiring to start up again?  I don't want to spend 60k+ and end up without a job.  Look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks.

Answer
David

What you have heard is correct. Very, very few airlines are currently hiring and there may be more bankruptcies yet to come. Only a last year (even early '08) people were getting hired with low levels of experience the industry has not seen in decades. The fuel crisis has changed all that.

When can we expect it to start up again? If only anyone in this business had such a crystal ball! That is the multi-million dollar question that cannot be answered by me...but nor can it be answered by just about anyone in airline management right now!

True, this business is very cyclical so in order to be ready for when a hiring wave does come in again, you need to get ready. I no longer recommend the 'fast track' style programs that once we booming due to the current economy but instead do your training at your own pace and try do accrue as little debt as possible. If your training and time building takes 2-3 years, that will be fine as it will probably take that long for the industry to come around again in earnest. Plus you will save money over a 'fast track' program by flying with a local flying club or reasonably priced school. Another thought is that if you decide not to pursue the career and take this route, you will still be able to fly for pleasure and not have $60K in loans out for an airline academy flight training program.

This is such a huge career and lifestyle change (not just for you but your family or significant other), I encourage you to glean as much info as possible about what you need to do, the sacrifices you'll make and what to expect of the career. For some, it is not quite what they dreamt of. A friend of mine went through it all only to leave the career 4 years later over the low pay and life at the regionals.  

BE AS INFORMED AS YOU CAN BE. I suggest getting the facts at these links:

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com
http://www.pilotcareer.info
http://www.jetcareers.com

Hope this helps,
Dottie