The aviation industry was one segment of our economy hit hardest by the attacks of 9/11. But those who are planning a career in this field can take heart knowing that recovery is underway. We've asked experts in the field for their take on this recovery and here's what they have to say.
The Industry: "People still have the passion to work with airplanes and neither the 9/11 attacks nor the soft economy has caused them to change their minds," says Lisa Scott, Career Director at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. "We haven't seen any drastic reductions in our aviation enrollment. Industry hiring is recovering. As an example, our job fair, following on the heels of the attacks, fell to 60 participating firms. Last fall, we hosted 75, so there is a climb underway.
"Pilot hiring has taken the biggest hit, but industry consensus forecasts 2004 as the year for significant improvement," Scott continues. "Some major airlines have stumbled, true. But as some doors close, others open. Many corporations, for example, are expanding executive fleets that will need more pilots. Other firms are becoming heavily involved with fractional-share ownership. Regional airlines are adding new, bigger and faster airplanes flying longer routes. These airlines are fast becoming opportunities for long-term career aims. "The message here," Scott advises, "is that you must get the best training you can find. You'll want to be a strong candidate the moment better times return-and they will."
Pilot Hiring: "Since the attacks of 9/11, we're still regularly placing graduate pilots with regional airlines," says Peter Clements, of Gulfstream Training Academy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "Out of one group of about 35, 27 were hired to fly regional jets; the next group, 37 out of 45; the next, 45 out of 55. You must remember, however, that our full pilot training program includes first officer training with full-motion simulator an turboprop experience. These graduates were trained and experienced for true airline operations, including duty times, scheduling, airline-ops specs, the whole airline ambience of gates, passengers, check-ins, quick turns and all the other details of airline piloting.
"Major airlines are still furloughing," Clements adds, "but the growing regionals with all-jet fleets of marvelous aircraft and senior-captain pay upward to $100,000 have become a career goal for many. This can be a good time to start, but the key is to train with a school that overtrains."
"The pilot job market is certainly still less than it was prior to 9/11," says Kit Darby of AIR, Inc., an aviation career-specialist firm that tracks the nation's airline economy and provides career information. "Of the 198 airlines we track, however, 158 are currently recruiting. This means they are taking resumes and applications for current and future hiring. One hundred and seven carriers hired pilots in February. There were 442 openings that month and it's been running 400 to 600 new-hires monthly. There were 5,845 pilots hired in 2002 and that's a lot more than many people realized, about a third of the all-time record set prior to 9/11. We're forecasting 6,000 to 7,000 openings this year.
"There are 8,260 pilots on furlough, mostly with the 14 major airlines," Darby notes. "For a variety of reasons, however, many of these pilots aren't seeking to step down to regional airlines, the target job market for new pilots. Additionally, about 2,000 pilots are reaching retirement each year.
"There's a good argument that this period of reduced hiring is the time to start your training," Darby comments. "While you're gaining the necessary experience, fewer pilots will be gaining their seniority ahead of you. Smaller airlines, in particular, are making faster recoveries and you'll want to be prepared when strong hiring returns."
Aviation Maintenance: The maintenance side of aviation continues to need more technicians, and leading schools report that over the past 12 months, approximately 90% of their graduaties have been placed. One force that is fueling the job market is the fact that so many aviation technicians are now reaching retirement. In addition, civilian service providers have obtained many military aircraft maintenance contracts.
The profession provides a comfortable income and career ladder. Entry pay for technicians averages about $30,000, with an expected $39,000 to $47,000 during three to five years of employment. Authorized inspectors make $41,000 to $47,000; service managers, $44,000 to $58,000; department managers, $55,000 to $62,000; and maintenance directors, $57,000 to $66,000.