You Can Fly - 2023 Edition - 27

How is the job market?
Incredible. Airline hiring has never been better, and
that draws pilots up from all other jobs, including
instructing, charter, corporate, and more. Mechanics
are desperately needed. Controllers are aging out.
Engineers, people with a trade, and
nearly all other professions are in
desperate need right now.
If you want to
work in aviation,
chances are
you will find an
opportunity.
$
How much will I earn?
Obviously, this all depends on the job. Airline
pilot pay can max out at more than $300,000
a year, and even new pilots at regional airlines
now make a livable wage. In 2014, the Air Line
Pilots Association published the list of worstpaying
airlines, and Silver Airways, the worst
still operating, paid new first officers $18,693.
According to Airline Pilot Central it's now
about $46,800, not including bonuses, per
diem, and other extras. Instructing continues
to be a difficult way to make a living, unless
you specialize in a type.
What is seniority?
At an airline, seniority is everything. Unlike most workplaces
where each promotion, layoff, and bonus is based on
your performance, the needs of the company, and your
relationship with your boss, at an airline the pilot is a
number. He or she is given that number when hired, and
it becomes the basis for every major personnel decision.
Seniority impacts where pilots are based (certain bases are
more " junior " or " senior, " meaning more or less popular),
what airplane they can fly, how long it will be until they can
upgrade to captain, and whether or not they are furloughed
during a downturn. It's no mystery why the advice is often
to earn the hours and be hired as soon as possible, even if it
means short-term financial pain or other life sacrifices.
What airline should I fly for?
This depends on a lot of factors, and it's a
question only you can answer. It helps to
establish your goals and values early in the
process. Are you OK with moving? Do you
want to get to a major airline as soon as
possible? Do you care where or what you
fly? Many applicants turn to online forums
for answers to this question because airline
hiring is so good that some candidates have
multiple offers and need help choosing. The
prevailing wisdom seems to be that quality
of life is more important than pay. Although
regional airlines extensively advertise
their now-impressive pay structures, most
experienced airline pilots seem to advise
that living close to your base is the best
thing you can do for quality of life and to
avoid burning out.
What is the lifestyle like?
This all depends on the job. Some corporate
pilots work for one week, then have one week
home with no responsibilities. Charter pilots
can be called any time of the day or night on
short notice, or have days scheduled to fly
and other scheduled days off. Airline pilots
tend to work three- to four-day trips, with a
few days off in between. That trip starts at
the base, so if you live somewhere else, it's
your free time you're losing. Finally, there
are hundreds of thousands of nonflying jobs
that have normal office hours that provide
the opportunity to do something you love
and pair it with your passion for aviation. If
you can think of a career path, aviation most
likely offers it.
1,500
FLIGHT HOURS
How can I make myself competitive?
In this market, even pilots with 500 flight
hours and no degree can find decent jobs,
but expect to have 1,500 flight hours and a
degree to be a competitive applicant to the
airlines. For other careers, a degree remains a
great way to make yourself more competitive,
even if it's not in aviation. But most of all,
have a passion for aviation. Pilots love to help
and support those coming into the field, so
whatever career you're going for, having a
passion for aviation will help.
Piedmont Aviation
ian.twombly@aopa.org
FLIGHT TRAINING YOU CAN FLY 2023
27
+ COLLEGE
DEGREE
HIRING
You Can Fly - 2023 Edition

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