Airline Hiring: What Pilots Needs to Know Now
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2024
- Ready 4 Pushback Episode 143
Dive into the turbulent waters of the airline industry in this episode, where we uncover the real story behind the headlines and current hiring trends. From the latest on Spirit's struggles to insights on navigating training contracts, this episode is a must-listen for pilots at every stage of their career!
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE
• The changing dynamics of regional airline hiring and the demand for captains
• How training contracts and retention bonuses impact pilot career decisions
• What are the current challenges faced by Spirit and Frontier Airlines?
• Key insights into the hiring practices of major airlines
• Strategies to stand out in a competitive pilot job market
RESOURCES/LINKS MENTIONED
• Timothy P. Pope, CFP® | / timothyp-pope
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Currently working on Instrument. I'm kind of glad everything is slowing down because I was trying to rush through all of my training and get it all done as fast as possible. But now that everything is slowing down, I'm actually able to enjoy my training and the road to becoming a professional.
Enjoy every minute!
I’m on unpaid leave due to my wife passing away from ALS. I don’t really intend to go back. I’m a mid level CA, going on 23 yrs. I would say, your advice on the financial’s is as sound as I’ve ever heard. We live in a very normal house, put a lot of miles on our cars, we keep them 10 years, and we don’t ever make payments on new ones when we buy them.
I want my kids to feel productive and useful, to experience the satisfaction of earning things. Not grow up spoiled and entitled. A middle of the middle lifestyle is a sweet place to be when your B plan, and whole market VanGuard funds are worth over $10 million.
In my case, I have a concurrent full time career farming, I flight instruct, and I’m an A&P who does a few dozen annuals on the cheap for people I know, and I work on other peoples farm equipment for money. I own rental properties as well.
Because I’ve made these choices, not going back to my airline is not a big deal. But I know hundreds of people who would do a swan dive off a bridge if it happened to them.
I am so sorry to hear about your wife. I cannot even imagine what you have gone through. One of my best friends is battling ALS right now. Thank you for your thoughtful and impactful comment.
Great video, subscribed and looking forward to next week's vid
Thanks for watching and subscribing!!!
Things have gone back to normal, pre pandemic normal. It's not a bad place to be compared to how bad it can be. I think 2022, 2023 will never happen again and I'm ok with that.
Tears. In need it just for like two more years. I’m almost there
Yeah but I think it might get worse before it gets better. There is a wave of new pilots in the pipeline with “make millions at an easy job” mindset because of so much social media coverage over the last couple of years. And the flashy pay raise announcements. If most of that wave makes it to ATP, the airlines will have a ton of people to choose from and drive up minimums.
It’s still a great time to be in the industry. There is constriction in hiring, however, opportunity is still there. The early retirements from COVID are covered, but growth and retirement numbers are still high
@@Ready4Pushback I agree that it’s better than before the pandemic. My belief is that people who truly love to fly will make it. But I question how many are in the pipeline because they think it’s easy money. I know parents who are pushing their kids into pilot programs oblivious to the downsides.
@@Catpanl I agree. You’ve gotta love it. Getting a job doing spreadsheets for the next 20 years has a faster short term payoff. But in the long term, the aviation life is a joy!
I’m currently at ATP CTP right now because no one will hire me. Not a cheap class. 😅 I’m at restricted ATP mins now.
Keep going my friend. Look as far and wide as you can. I know you’ll find a great spot.
Don't worry, they won't hire you after your class either 😀
I have an unrestricted FAA ATPL (paid out of my pocket), 2350 hours of TT, 650 hours of TPIC, 102 hours of multiengine time.
I am struggling to get a job even on the Cessna Citation. I sent over 200 resumes in 6 months with a few TBNT responses only.
@@mattcollins4550 You’re not wrong 😅
@@sergeyvyatkin Well… I’m toast… I wish you the best of finding a job. It’s rough out there right now.
This video is spot on and corroborates everything I've been seeing firsthand.
Thanks!
Times are changing for sure
UPS is a “little company” lol market cap is bigger than all the legacy and LCC carriers combined.
Great video. Thanks for touching on a bit of everything. When aircraft deliveries stabilize, do you expect FO hiring to pick up at places like SWA and the Legacies?
Yes for sure. Right now things are picking back up at United. Delta has a pretty ironed out glide slope as does AA. SWA needs the growth and so they are desperately awaiting Boeing to untie their knot. Their recent shareholder meeting discussed their openness to acquisition.
Very true about the regional pay!! Im in deep at a regional and there is no way i will leave now. QOL and make the same as my friends at a major and more in retirement than them.. i was taught 20 years ago. “Slow and steady wins the race”. I thought man all my friends are leaving for a major. Then things happen. Layoffs. Downgrades, and i was left thankful where i was.. the true look back happens at 65 when you look back and see if you mad a good choice…
I’d also say, do what’s right for you and don’t compare yourself to anyone. If you can do that, then you’ll find great peace and satisfaction in what you do
So is it still worth it to make a career change into the airlines ? That’s all I need to know 😂.
Hopefully people who got swept up in the frenzy and took out accelerated program loans can return some of that money and slow down if they are still in training. High interest rates and high balances are no joke.
Thank you for this video. I am curious... where are the drop-off points for people? Assuming 100% of 'zero to hero' folks want to go to the majors... what percentage drop at private? what percentage drop at CFI/CFII/MEI and why? What percentage drop after signing with cargo or regionals (presumably due to schedule-QOL, but why?)? I'm curious if life changes or if there are different unforeseen obstacles that prevent the dream from taking lift. Thank you for your insights!
Actual % is hard to come by. In general, the largest drop happens between beginning flying and ATP. Sometimes it’s money. Sometimes it’s family. Sometimes it’s capability. As people continue on they find where they fit. It’s you vs you in the aviation industry. Keep focused and be a person that fights hard!
My CFi estimates that nearly 85 percent of students in our 10 aircraft flying club drop out before PPL. On Pilot Playbook I hear something like 15 percent drop out of accelerated programs. I would say it diminishes as people get more ratings. Since that’s a reflection of how much time and money they already invested and humans tend to just keep going the further along they are. Even when it doesn’t make logical sense.
Hey Nik, I currently have a CJO from Skywest and have been offered their new training contract. I have held off signing this far with some of the concerns I have heard on your podcast and on aviation central forum. What would you do in my shoes, sign and just know I'm locked in. Or don't sign and continue applying and interviewing with other regionals, knowing the job market isnt on fire as it was.
I hate training contracts. A lot can happen in the years a pilot is trapped in an airline because of a contract. This one isn’t just a couple years. It’s way more. Plus if there is a slowdown in upgrading, then the duration just stretches out. Uggg.
Love the video, such wealth of information. I'm planning to start D225 this year, would you still recommend someone to drop their full time job and go for it?
Do your part 61 PPL while working. Then decide. If you have the cash and availability at a school to do a fast track and get into CFi market in a year, then maybe. But everything is slowing down so I don’t see a need to rush. Just don’t take multiple years to do PPL. Try to see how much time you can build while working. Unless you hate your job.
I will say that there are sooooo many variables. You need to understand where your family sits and what your flexibility is. Probably worth a call to Timothy P Pope for a sanity check
If flying is what you want with life then yes. Quit and do it full time. But only if you know you want it. Have you played flight simulator? Get into it. It will greatly enhance your flight training. Times are slow now but after 3 years it will take you to get to a position to compete against hundreds of other experienced pilots who knows where the industry will be. Go for it now full steam. You want to be ready for the next hiring boom. The pilots who are time building for ATP now are in a good position to benefit from the next hiring boom.
So all this being said, what regional do you think future pilots should have their eyes on? I’m in the west coast btw.
If your not close to restricted hours it seems like the market can change rapidly and you would just need to know how to pick the right one and not focus on what specific one to pick because things can change
I honestly think that this airline shortage thing benefited those who were already working towards building/completing the required time. But those who are barely joining the airline pilot scene are met with all sorts of doubts and uncertainty regarding having a rewarding career in the airline industry. So ultimately, it’s just a matter of luck. Congrats to all those who lucked out with the reward of a lifetime!
Focus on the one that will hire you. But I caution everyone against accepting a training contract. Don’t be beholden to a company. Keep yourself a free agent!
So it sounds like you think regional pay is going to drop back down in a couple years? Do you think it will go back down to new FO pay of $20 an hour?
I think the current levels aren’t sustainable for a long period of time based on earnings.
Hey man really love all the stuff you talked about here! A lot of things I wasnt considering. Was wondering if you had some thoughts on my situation... I'm a first officer at a regional almost 1300 total hours. I have a class date with Sun Country in July. I am not flying at all on reserve where I am at but am about 3/4 months away from holding a line. That is probably about the time I would be done with training at Sun Country but I have friends there and they are also not flying at all on reserve. My thinking is that if I sacrifice a couple more months of flying thats okay because its a better career move to make the leap to Sunny. Only reason I'm at all hesitant is because I've been with my regional since February of 2023 and still don't even have 200 hours here. I just want to fly but also want to make sure im making the better long term play. Thanks!
@ready4pushback
If you wanna talk about it, hit me up. Podcast@spitfireelite.com
@@Ready4Pushback 2 e’s?
If you check the DEI box they’ll lower the bar for you and put you first.
Hi all, I am seeking advice. I am a British national and hope to have a green card in a year or so. I have about 15,500 hours on mostly 737/777 and about 200 on the 787. Once I have a green card I hope to live and work in the US. I am finding the US job market very difficult to navigate largely due to the 1000 hour requirement. Is there any way “around” this requirement or at least a short cut of sorts for someone in my position? I am 50 years old and able live anywhere in the US and then move for a command upgrade if required. Thanks for any info or tips.
@@duncanroebuck89 I have heard from many people seeking to make the move to the US. The hours are a big hill to climb. Keep being motivated. You can do this!
@@Ready4Pushback thanks for the positivity. How about the biz jet market? I am largely coming to the US for fun rather than slog it out on a seniority list. But most Bizjet jobs seem to require a type rating and/or experience. Bit of a catch 22.
“Never a better time to become a pilot” they said
I’ve got 1200 hours and this happens 🤦🏻♂️
Thankfully I didn’t get a loan for my training
Don’t quit! You’re so close. Stay focused and positive. I know it’s frustrating. But it’s possible!
Spirit will survive bc of my friend, he only books spirit haha
I love your friend!
Regionals furloughing now ahhh
Easiest way to get hired is to put LGBTQ ABCDRFGHIJKLMNOPQRTSUVWYZ on your application never mind your experience or qualifications you will have a better chance of getting hired