Expert: David A. NewMyer - 8/26/2010

Question
I am currently a SGT in the Army, and I have recently enrolled in Embry riddle aeronautical university.  I am wondering if there will even be a job as a pilot for me when I graduate?  Seeing all the pilots with extravagant experience being laid off has caused me some worry about being able to support my family in this field.  Would I be better off seeking a degree in airport management or some other field?

Answer
Hi, Andrew:

It is nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist!

First of all, this is a common question among many undergraduate students who are pursuing an aviation flight major.  That is, seeing all of the layoffs and down-sizing, will there be a job for me when I graduate with an aviation degree (or a flight degree)?   

Second, the answer does, to some extent, depend on the economy.  The last two years have been very tough.  But, the Spring and Summer of 2010 have signaled the start of a turnaround in the aviation industry, as suggested by some of the following points:

1.  Pilot hiring has returned!  American Eagle has had monthly classes for new pilot hires since February of this year; AirTran Airways (based in Orlando and a hub in Atlanta) has been hiring pilots; Delta Air Lines is hiring nearly 300 pilots this year; and, others are hiring pilots.

2.  Part of the reason that pilot hiring has returned goes beyond the slow recovery in the economy:  It is due to the slow acceleration of pilot retirements.  As pilots retire from the major, legacy airlines (along with economic growth), the majors must hire.  As they hire, they generally hire from smaller, regional airlines, which, in turn, must hire replacement pilots.  ("The pilot food chain" as it is called).  

3.  Other positive factors out there:

A.  Airline profits in the last two quarters (the first for some since 2005-2007);
B.  Boeing is delivering the first of its Boeing 787 Dreamliners in early 2011---this aircraft has already sold 860 units and the first one has not yet flown in revenue service!; and,
C.  General Aviation Manufacturers such as Gulfstream and Cirrus have turned profits all of this year.

There are many others, but, I thought I would try to point out that the news out there is not all bad.  In fact, it has begun to look somewhat promising.  We are not totally out of the woods yet on the economy, but, it is expected that we will be in a full recovery and hiring mode by 2012.  The point is that NOW is an excellent time to be in school to get your aviation education, your flight ratings and certificates, etc.  NOW is the time to get ready for the next hiring boom.  I believe that this boom is coming in 2011-2013.  So, get ready!

With regard to the pilot career, don't forget that there IS a time of time-building and experience building that you MUST go through to reach the experience levels needed to get that really good position with a larger, legacy airline or corporate flight department.  So, I am not expecting you to earn your ERAU degree and jump right out there and fly for Delta---that will not likely happen.  But, the ERAU program and many other collegiate aviation programs like theirs, will prepare you very, very well for the industry.  So, you are in a good place.  My only suggestion beyond what you are doing now is to add as much as possible to your overall background before you leave ERAU.  Meaning, yes, get as much flight background as possible, but, add to that flight background with advanced flight work as well as a minor in aviation management or some other area to provide breadth to your aviation background.  Check with your ERAU advisors as to the best way to do this in their system.

Best wishes for a successful aviation career,

David A. NewMyer