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What is the future of the airline pilot?

I have been offered a place on a airline training course (I would have to pay for it), but I don't whether to go ahead with it or not. With so much automation on airliners now, and what with the glamour having gone, is it really an admirable job to have, and would I get bored after a couple of years? I wonder if I would be best off earning good money in an office job. What do you think? Also, in twenty years time, with the advance of computers, the pilot will just be like a monkey pushing the odd button.

Asked By: Aries - 2/26/2007
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
*According to the US Dept of Labor:
-Earnings of airline pilots are among the highest in the Nation.

*Here's the job outlook for pilots (regional and low-fare airlines offer the best opportunities; pilots attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition):

The passenger airline industry is undergoing many changes, with some airlines posting increases in passenger traffic and adding routes while others are cutting back. Overall, the employment of aircraft pilots is projected to increase about as fast as average for all occupations through 2014. In the long run, demand for air travel is expected to grow along with the population and the economy. In the short run, however, employment of pilots is generally sensitive to cyclical swings in the economy. During recessions, when a decline in the demand for air travel forces airlines to curtail the number of flights, airlines may temporarily furlough some pilots.

Job opportunities are expected to continue to be better with the regional airlines and low-fare carriers, which are growing faster than the more well-known major airlines. Opportunities with air cargo carriers also should arise because of increasing security requirements for shipping freight on passenger airlines and growth in electronic commerce. Business and corporate travel also should provide some new jobs for pilots.

Pilots attempting to get jobs at the major airlines will face strong competition, as those firms tend to attract many more applicants than they have jobs. They also will have to compete with laid-off pilots for any available jobs. Pilots who have logged the greatest number of flying hours using sophisticated equipment typically have the best prospects. For this reason, military pilots often have an advantage over other applicants. However, prior to September 11, 2001, some airlines reported a shortage of qualified pilots to operate the most sophisticated aircraft. Thus, when hiring improves, jobseekers with the most FAA licenses will have a competitive advantage.

Fewer flight engineers will be needed as new planes requiring only two pilots replace older planes that required flight engineers. Pilots also will experience some productivity improvements as airlines switch to larger planes and adopt the low-fare carrier model that emphasizes faster turnaround times for flights, keeping more pilots in the air rather than waiting on the ground.

*Here are the working conditions of an airline pilot, so you can compare it to an office job:

Because of FAA regulations, airline pilots flying large aircraft, cannot fly more than 100 hours a month or more than 1,000 hours a year. Most airline pilots fly an average of 75 hours a month and work an additional 75 hours a month performing nonflying duties. Most pilots have a variable work schedule, working several days on, then several days off. Most spend a considerable amount of time away from home because the majority of flights involve overnight layovers. When pilots are away from home, the airlines provide hotel accommodations, transportation between the hotel and airport, and an allowance for meals and other expenses. Airlines operate flights at all hours of the day and night, so work schedules often are irregular. Flight assignments are based on seniority. An airline seniority number is normally assigned to a pilot on completion of training. The sooner pilots are hired, the lower their seniority number and the stronger their bidding power.

Commercial pilots also may have irregular schedules, flying 30 hours one month and 90 hours the next. Because these pilots frequently have many nonflying responsibilities, they have much less free time than do airline pilots. Except for corporate flight department pilots, most commercial pilots do not remain away from home overnight. But, they may work odd hours. However, if the company owns a fleet of planes, pilots may fly a regular schedule. Flight instructors may have irregular and seasonal work schedules, depending on their students’ available time and the weather. Instructors frequently work in the evening or on weekends.

Good luck!
Answered By: edith clarke - 2/26/2007
Additional Answers ()
A pilot will be just like a monkey pushing the odd button??????

What the HELL do you think you do in a LITTLE CUBE IN AN OFFICE With a LITTLE KEYBOARD that you push buttons on!!!!!!!!!

Talk about a MONKEY IN A CAGE!!!!!

But you do get bored flying an airplane. Constantly getting to see different cities (some glamorous, some not); constantly getting to see beautiful sunrises and sunsets; constantly doing your job in a dynamic environment where the LIVES of people depended on your spectacular "button pushing."

It's a total drag. I think you'd be happier in an office job too.
Source(s):
GUESS what my profession is......
Answered By: wrighac - 2/27/2007
I would say get a good office job because you probably want the best for your family right? Being a pilot doesn't have a good income and you waon't be with your family every night for dinner. So its either you or your family. Think about it that way.
Answered By: Dave Grohl Wanna Be!!! - 2/26/2007
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