Expert: D. Norkus - 9/19/2008

Question
I’m extremely interested, and determined in becoming an airline pilot. This seems like a perfect job for me. I love traveling and seeing new places. Also whenever my family goes on a trips, I always brings maps on the plane to track were we are.  I’m currently a junior in high school in New York. I would like to attend Embry-Riddle; however my parents are concerned about me being able to get a job as an airline pilot.  What is the outlook for airline pilots over the next ten years?  If a major in aeronautical science, and airlines aren’t hire, what other job can you get with this degree.  

Thanks for time


Answer
Mitchell,

The outlook for airline pilots over the long haul looks good. You should not hinge your career aspirations on that though. This industry is very much tied to the economy and all it takes is a downturn to lose your job. Back in 2001 airline pilots were being hired by the majors and the regionals at a very brisk pace. This huge hiring wave was like one not seen in many years. Then 9/11 happened. Almost overnight thousands of pilots were furloughed and the industry was put in a tailspin. As a new hire at the time, I was one of the first laid off. It lasted 2 years and I went back in 2003. Time on furlough can be much longer though. There are still pilots laid off from American post 9/11 that have been not recalled yet. Some have found other flying jobs, some have not. This past decade has certainly seen more leave the profession than ever before due to downsizing, pay cuts and bankruptcies at the airlines.

If you intend to do this as a career because you are passionate about flying, you will just have to make the decision to ride out any booms or busts. If every aspiring pilot 10 years ago knew what awaited them, many never would have left the ground. The airline business can be a very volatile one. If you can accept the risk that once during your career you may be furloughed, that is realistic. It may never happen, but if you have a short tenure (low "seniority") with a company when another crisis strikes, like skyrocketing jet fuel costs are now, and your airline parks planes you may be at risk for getting laid off. Of course, if a crisis does strike and you have enough seniority, you will be safe as furloughs start from the bottom up. You may then become a bottom employee after the cuts, with a less desirable schedule, but at least you will still have a job.

So, even though there will always be demand, you cannot predict the number of jobs that will be needed by that demand.

What can you do with an Aero Science degree? It has limited applications. Remember, if you have one and get laid off as a pilot the rest of the business is probably in a bad way as well. While many major in aviation because they like it, it is not necessary to become a pilot. In fact a lot think it is smart not to major in aviation just in case you do find yourself furloughed. I have such a degree and frankly don't have any idea what I could do with it were I to lose my job again. I think if I had to do it over again, I'd keep the 2 yr in aviation (I got my associates at a community college before transferring to an ERAU Extended Campus location to save money) but get a bachelors in something unrelated. Also, a degree from ERAU also costs a bundle. If your parents can help or you have scholarships, more power to you. Just know that IF you decide to go that route and have neither, you'll have about $100,000 in student loans for a job that starts at about $20,000. Take their recruiters kool-aid with a grain of salt (remember, they want your $100K). If you really want to major in aviation: pick several schools that interest you (get a list at www.uaa.aero), work out the costs, decide if it will fit your budget and weigh the pros & cons. There are many pilot message boards with thousands of ERAU topics, as well as other schools, so I suggest you check them out as well.

Visit my page- http://www.pilotcareer.info and the links at bottom for lots of need to know career information. All the popular pilot message boards are linked as are some career info links from some pro pilot organizations.

Good Luck
Dottie