Were you told theres a pilot shortage?

the professional · Post by **the professional** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:42 pm

Its been a while since I was in training or training, are the schools still propagating the pilot shortage rumor? if so I think its been going on since the 70's -- now thats a good rumor

Sideshow · Post by **Sideshow** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:57 pm

I dunno how much of a rumour it is but I just got hired...

Kelowna Pilot · Post by **Kelowna Pilot** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:38 am

Regency re-open or something?

LinksInAChain · Post by **LinksInAChain** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:04 pm

Well, when I started my "2-year diploma program" in 1995, that was the line they used on me...

... And damn, did it ever work!

During my last instructing gig, the CFI was still using it, so I assume that the rumour is alive and kicking!

Merry Christmas!
Links

Naveed · Post by **Naveed** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:13 pm

I was told by the recruiter that after i graduated id have no problem getting on an rj or flying cargo run with people like fedex...i guess what they said is true , they just forgot to add the 10 years after with the graduated

Adam Oke · Post by **Adam Oke** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 11:09 pm

I was asked if I didn't mind living in poverty for a while...

canpilot · Post by **canpilot** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:17 pm

YUP!

The lines I hear are:

-"I'll be getting onto Air Canada/ Jazz after graduation"

- "College students are superior to those who attend regular flying schools...you're the one's (students at flight schools) who will be loading our baggage"

-"Once i'm done this course..i'll be loaded with all that cash i'm making at my first flying job"

..It always makes me laugh..either that or get REALLY pissed off..

. ._ · Post by **. ._** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 7:19 pm

I was told by Sault College to NOT become a pilot- the wages suck and the life is hard for the first few years. Numerous times, the Sault College newbies were told to not start the program and become engineers instead.

Not all flight schools lie.

-istp

Red Line · Post by **Red Line** » Mon Dec 25, 2006 11:19 pm

ISTP,

Yup, I remember that first day of first year, in the lecture hall, LSP greeted us by making his "final pitch to convince us not to be there". I thought it was kinda ironic. But then I also remember the kid that walked in 10 minutes late wearing jeans and a T-shirt!

Red

gonfly'n · Post by **gonfly'n** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 6:10 pm

The instructor at sault college was straight up about it.

The two things i hear from people not involved in aviation

1. pilots make really good money
2. hey, isn't there a pilot shortage?

Delta_Sierra · Post by **Delta_Sierra** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:16 am

From the Nov/Dec issue of Canadian Aviator:

"FLIGHT SCHOOLS CASH IN

A Worldwide shortage of commercial pilots, combined with tough security measures at US flight schools, has created a boom for Canadian flight schools.
According to Business Edge magazine, up to 60 per cent of students training at Canadian schools are from other countries.
The high quality of training in Canada, lower cost and fast turnaround are other factors as is the portability of Canadian flight credentials, which are universally recognized.
Thousands of pilots will be needed in the next decade, particularly in Asia and the Middle East."

Idriveplane · Post by **Idriveplane** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:50 am

But then I also remember the kid that walked in 10 minutes late wearing jeans and a T-shirt!

Now thats a pilot

Techopsgirl · Post by **Techopsgirl** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 8:24 pm

I got the same song and dance from the guy who owned the flight school where I went. "Oh be a pilot, there's a massive pilot shortage, in 5 years you'll we working with Cathay, the company where you'll leave with a million dollars", it was quite the pitch & I fell for it like many others. 12 years later, I'm working in the planning department and making more than the first officers who have been flying for those last 12 years.
It's the same old song and dance of greedy owners and niave students.

ocnek · Post by **ocnek** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:01 pm

It's not just flight schools spewing the jobs line. Universities do the same thing..."Oh yea, you'll get a job as soon as you graduate" What they don't tell you is that you'll have a job, but just not at what you went to school for.

Driving Rain · Post by **Driving Rain** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 4:28 pm

I was told the likelihood of getting a job as pilot was less than zero. That was 38 years ago. I stupidly and with dogged determination pressed on in spite of the good advice. Two years later I landed my first full time flying job. I've been steadily employed for the last 27 years. The last time I was on pogey was 28 years ago. I'll not kid anyone, the first 10 years were hard. I was young and it didn't seem so bad. Would I do it again knowing what I know now. Not on your life. I don't regret it though. I have a great job, no not with Cathay or any major carrier. I think my jobs better.

Glory. · Post by **Glory.** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:21 pm

I wonder how many ppl actually think this kind of thing?

I was talking to a guy last week, and he told me about how after the commercial he was hopefully gonna get onto a corporate mail run job up the coast? In some kind of jet?

I ALMOST passed out

If you wade through the mountains of negetivity and childish behavior on this site, then the message of "The first few years are gonna be tough", and the realities of the rampie really do get through, so thats a positive.

Kelowna Pilot · Post by **Kelowna Pilot** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 9:10 pm

Thing to remember is the flying schools are businesses... they exist to make money or they go out of business.

Some people who run flying schools are honest and will give you the straight goods. Those schools you can respect.

Other flying schools... well, let's just say I wouldn't buy a used car from some of the individuals I've met at certain schools.

At the end of the day though it's buyer beware... It's up to you to do the research before you plop your hard earned (or borrowed) money down to pursue aviation.

Luscombe · Post by **Luscombe** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 3:04 am

When I was instructing, I remember teaching a class to some Aviation College students on tailwheel flying. I was their first non-college instructors they had. I gave them the "Reality 101" speech about what was waiting for them in the real world after graduation regarding their first "job".

I had absolutely no idea how lied-to these students were. They honestly believed that upon graduation, a stretch limo would show up in the parking lot, roll out a red carpet and beg them to fly their Dash-8 or Citation for them for an outrageous amount of money.

Consequently, some of the students thanked me for my frankness and honesty. I ran into some of them later in my career, so there is some hope.

JohnnyHotRocks · Post by **JohnnyHotRocks** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 6:42 am

There will never be a shortage of 200 hour pilots, but having said that, I have started to see a shortage of experienced captains in the corporate world...things are definitely looking up

adhc2 · Post by **adhc2** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:05 am

Hot Rocks is right there will never be a shortage of 200 hr pilots.

I,ve been flyin for 35 years and I have heard the shortage of pilots line since I started flyin, trouble is they are lyin by ommision. The fact is more times than not there is a shortage of experienced pilots especially for some of the the specialized flyin like floats, fire suppression, crop dustin, etc. The key word is experienced.

Fortunatly there r some places that really care to tell the truth, I feel sorry for those who mortgage their souls and end up with a painful dose of reality. The bottom line is pay out lots of dough and then pay lots dues.
Of course good luck and timing helps too.
When you can snatch the pebble from my hand then you r a man grasshopper.

lucky37 · Post by **lucky37** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 3:10 pm

Does anyone know any info about pilots outside Canada and whether or not more opportunity exists elsewhere? Is Canada exempt from the pilot shortage?

I can see how a country of only 30 million with only two major airlines (Air Canada and WestJet) cannot support great numbers of pilots, compared to 300 million in the US, 800+ million in Europe and billions in Asia.

There just may be a pilot shortage... but not here.

ScudRunner · Post by **ScudRunner** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:55 pm

I think its time to call the good people at MythBusters

REline Wrote:

I thought it was kinda ironic. But then I also remember the kid that walked in 10 minutes late wearing jeans and a T-shirt!

Betcha that guy was the first with a job.

Kelowna Pilot · Post by **Kelowna Pilot** » Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:49 pm

There is no shortage in Canada. India and parts of Asia, perhaps, but not Canada.

The fact that Air Canada has no problems attracting large numbers of highly qualified people to interviews, and then is able to turn a very large percentage of them away, indicates there is no shortage of pilots, even 'experienced' pilots in Canada.

Wages also don't reflect a shortage, or even really a strong demand for pilots. $37,000 for a year for Air Canada... that they can easily find highly qualified people who will to work for salaries on par with telephone call center workers does not suggest any kind of shortage or demand.

If the demand was strong or the shortage real, salaries would not be where they are.

adhc2 · Post by **adhc2** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:44 am

Your wrong Kelowna Pilot

There is no shortage of experienced people to fly the big silver solution for the firm AKA Air Canada, but you can,t base the shortage on 1 segment of aviation. Try and find an available experienced float guy or Fire suppression driver in july.

Supply and demand dictates and reflects that. In fact in some of the specialty segments an experienced driver can make 3 to 4 times the salary the firm pays entry jet jocks. Ask the cat man what they pay him to drive a PBY.

The reality is with the movement in aviation of the ladder climbers, many of the non main line carriers have to scramble to fill the chairs.

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 11:16 am

" Supply and demand dictates and reflects that. In fact in some of the specialty segments an experienced driver can make 3 to 4 times the salary the firm pays entry jet jocks. Ask the cat man what they pay him to drive a PBY. "

Actually my pay is based on the licenses I hold, when a owner needs a type rating on a PBY they must find someone with a authorization from the Regulator in their Country to do the training.

I have received authorization from the South African CAA, Australian CASA and European CAA under JAR .

So when they spend a million to restore an airplane paying me 250.00 Euros per hour to train them is peanuts.

Where they really spend money is on my air fares and car rentals, mobile phone, hotels, meals and that sort of stuff.

So the money I make is based on supply and demand and getting foreign governments to approve me to fly and train under their rules.....it takes around one year to get approval in each country generally.