I am unable to find a link to this column from the June 2006 issue of AOPA Pilot, but thought I'd mention it as the current condition of the airline pilot's profession is being discussed in a somewhat personal and detailed manner in a GA rag. I'm not sure how many here are AOPA members, so I thought I'd pass it along.
It is discussed by Barry Schiff in his regular column, Proficient Pilot. He identifies himself as a retired TWA pilot with 34 years of flying for that airline. He essentially repeats the information noted here with great frequency. "The glory years are gone" Pay is low to start and vertical movement has slowed dramatically. He specifically describes the careers of his two sons, Brian and Paul.
Brian was hired by TWA in 1989, furloughed from American in 2003 after TWA's "assimilation" and flies as a regional captain awaiting recall. His other son Paul was hired by Trans States in 2000, left after about four years and as many domicile changes for United Express where he had three domicile changes in a couple of years. He left the recently after realizing the most he had earned after six years as a commuter pilot (apologies to General Lee) was $30K and that he saw foresaw little potential for a career like his dad had enjoyed with TWA. Mr. Schiff then proceeds to plug his son's new on-line pet store venture but mentions how glad his son is to have a schedule stable enough to meet that special someone.
His son Paul notes that it is easy to get a job at a regional because of attrition. He then noted that the attrition is not due to a move to the majors, but rather due to people leaving the industry.
Mr. Schiff does note that these are anecdotal experiences, but in his discussions with many others in the arena, he can no longer encourage aspiring airline pilots without detailing the current realities concerning the probability of success. He then concludes by noting that flying itself is still rewarding and challenging.
His final quote is "Does the end justify the means? Does becoming a captain for a major airline justify all that must be endured the get there? Perhaps, but surviving long enough to get there is the problem."
So, if any of the GA guys care, he has put the issue to the front in a rag aimed at the other than airline pilot crowd. Maybe the student pilot types will read and be influenced to question; maybe not.
It is discussed by Barry Schiff in his regular column, Proficient Pilot. He identifies himself as a retired TWA pilot with 34 years of flying for that airline. He essentially repeats the information noted here with great frequency. "The glory years are gone" Pay is low to start and vertical movement has slowed dramatically. He specifically describes the careers of his two sons, Brian and Paul.
Brian was hired by TWA in 1989, furloughed from American in 2003 after TWA's "assimilation" and flies as a regional captain awaiting recall. His other son Paul was hired by Trans States in 2000, left after about four years and as many domicile changes for United Express where he had three domicile changes in a couple of years. He left the recently after realizing the most he had earned after six years as a commuter pilot (apologies to General Lee) was $30K and that he saw foresaw little potential for a career like his dad had enjoyed with TWA. Mr. Schiff then proceeds to plug his son's new on-line pet store venture but mentions how glad his son is to have a schedule stable enough to meet that special someone.
His son Paul notes that it is easy to get a job at a regional because of attrition. He then noted that the attrition is not due to a move to the majors, but rather due to people leaving the industry.
Mr. Schiff does note that these are anecdotal experiences, but in his discussions with many others in the arena, he can no longer encourage aspiring airline pilots without detailing the current realities concerning the probability of success. He then concludes by noting that flying itself is still rewarding and challenging.
His final quote is "Does the end justify the means? Does becoming a captain for a major airline justify all that must be endured the get there? Perhaps, but surviving long enough to get there is the problem."
So, if any of the GA guys care, he has put the issue to the front in a rag aimed at the other than airline pilot crowd. Maybe the student pilot types will read and be influenced to question; maybe not.
