Ok I was just doing some thinking (yes it hurt) After Reading the Post about Coastal Mountain Air and Regency. My question is whats going to happen when this so called pilot shortage takes place in about 2010 or so. These companies that pay like 50 bucks a day or nothing at all, how are these and other small companies going to be able to keep pilots? or even stay in business. I ask this because over in Europe right now they hire 0 time guys and train them to fly 737 and such. do you think it will ever get that way over here were guys fresh out of school are going to get snapped up by a larger carrier. Will smaller companies even be fesable? Just a thought talk amongst yourselves
The pilot shortage has been five years away for at least the last 30 years. It exists only in the minds of ATAC member flying schools.
European airlines hire and train as they do because they have no option. There are almost no GA aircraft and small charter operators in europe, therefore, no experience ladder for pilots to climb. They do things more like the military, hire on the the basis of aptitude and education and then teach them how to fly.
I heard once that in 1972 the majors hired 200 hour pilots off the street to the back seat of tri stars, two sevens, and the like. Never again has this happened in Canada. I like to believe that it will again some day, but I also think the Flames are going to win the cup. CJ
Pilot shortage my a$$! Anyone waiting for this shortage to materialize might have a long wait ahead of them. This nonsense has been going on for quite sometime now and anyone who believes it hasn’t done their homework. I just wish the schools would stop telling new students this BS and for once tell them the truth. “You might spend a ton of money and time for very little, if any return on your investment.”
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Putting money into aviation is like wiping before you poop....it just don't make sense!
Good one cyyz Ain't that the truth...although for me my instructor told me it was going to be tough but if i remember correctly i had my head too far up my own a$$ back then...
I posted this before and here it is again. Apparently it's from an AT*C study suprisingly.
"The numbers of new pilot licenses issued each year
must cover increases
in demand for pilots, retirements of existing pilots
and pilots leaving the
industry. In 2002, the numbers of new aeroplane
licenses issued were:
1,198 Commercial licenses (13% of commercial
licenses); and
507 ATPLs (5% of ATPLs).
The current supply of commercial pilots exceeds the
retirement rate by
about 960 pilots per year. If the current attrition
rate remains constant,
the number of commercial pilots will meet the expected
increase in
demand of about 440 pilots per year. However, it is
important to consider
that the supply of pilots will meet the demand,
provided a significant
proportion of pilots do not leave the industry.
In the last four years, 500 to 660 commercial pilot
licenses were issued per
year. Projections for the next 5 years indicate that
retirement of ATPL pilots
are expected to be around 150 pilots per year.
Therefore the number of potential
commercial pilots to achieve ATPLs licenses is
significantly greater than
the demand. Production rates of 100 to 200 new ATPLs
per year should be
sufficient to meet the expected increase in demand
over the next five years."
I got it from a friend of a friend of my cousin's brother's aunt's best friend's daughter. Hopefully this will shed some light on the AT*C's real thinking
The truth is the big operators and the flight schools keep this rumor going, because they are tring to save a buck... if they can keep the market flooded with pilots willing to fly for free, and pay there own training, then the wages will always stay low. (If there was an over abundance of Doc's and Nurses would their pay be going up like a home sick angel?) Tell wanabe pilots to stay out of aviation, get a job where you can afford to fly when you want.....
Thats what I was looking for KingAIR some stats but I cant help but wonder how many of these new CPL drop aviation I know roughly about 20 young commercial pilots and only 6 of us actually have work flying a few said screw this and are now are in other careers and such. As well I even know of PPL guys who have no intesion of flying commercially and just get the licence for better insurance rates and prestige lol. The other thing I would bring up is that many Canadians go overseas to fly, I also think that the biggest concern for pilots is that airlines relize they dont have to pay high wages anymore and will try to Union bust and such to maximize profits and they know we would rather fly for some money than none. just some thoughts
Insurance is killing the industry right now as well... I know of a few clean operators whos insurance demands 1000 total and 300-500 multi before being allowed onto the insurance.. even float time is gone through the roof now as well.. 250 on floats for a 206 and such?? A 250 hour float driver isn't going to be looking to fly a 206 anymore... its sad how everyone has their hands dipped into this industry just to make a buck... but isn't that the norm these days...
I love the stat; new pilots are needed to replace the ones leaving the industry..huh? Why in the f*** do you think they are leaving? Probably to become insurance brokers.
I dunno what some people's impression of a shortage is but things are moving pretty good right now. Do you 250 hr fresh commercials think companies are EVER going to be calling you out of the blue? Do you think companies are going to have representatives staked out at Transport waiting to tackle the inspectors coming back from rides just to get the phone number of the newest CA holder?
Fact is right now there is quite a bit of hiring going on. Westjet and Jetsgo are both running a groundschool a month if not more, each planning to hired 150+ pilots this year alone. The company I'm at and its eastern "enemy" have each hired 15+ pilots into twin turboprop jobs within the last 4 months. Float operators are scrambling to fill spots this spring as a lot of experienced drivers have moved into these twin-IFR jobs now.
Yes these jobs are not ones that are available to the fresh commercial wonder but breaking into the industry is NEVER going to be like becoming a doctor or lawyer with different firms chasing you down with signing bonuses and the like. Nose to the grindstone, ear to the ground etc. etc. there's only one letter difference between NETWORKING and NOT WORKING.
Dock Jock is right ive gotten all my jobs through knowing someone at companies! Only once been cold called but then I found out someone i knew there and that was my in
Getting a job in Europe is not that easy. I've got a buddy who's just finished the written part of the JAA and now he's waiting for a ride on a sim. he's got over 1000 hours on a dash 8 and he's gotta spend about 5000 pounds (about $12,000) to just get his ride done. And he's not even doing the full ride because he's got so much time in a "certified 2-crew aircraft" Then he's looking at a job that sounds like good money in Canadian dollars but the cost of living is through the roof that it's just as bad as living here and working like an instructor (no offense..I'm an instructor too!)
My question is whats going to happen when this so called pilot shortage takes place in about 2010 or so. These companies that pay like 50 bucks a day or nothing at all, how are these and other small companies going to be able to keep pilots? or even stay in business. I ask this because over in Europe right now they hire 0 time guys and train them to fly 737 and such. do you think it will ever get that way over here were guys fresh out of school are going to get snapped up by a larger carrier. Will smaller companies even be fesable? Just a thought talk amongst yourselves 
