mergers/consolidation, and regionals= no good

[MALSR]

Expect a lot of changes if you work for a regional, especially if you fly 50 seaters. Merger talks have been approved to the board of directors at DAL for acquisition of NWA or UAL. Less competition will no doubt be a huge downfall for regional jobs. Good luck to everyone.

 

[M-crit]

The hiring boon and "pilot shortage" will be over soon. Buckle-up for the ride everyone.

 

[MINIME]

The recent merger announcements and high oil prices just changed the dynamics for aviation careers. "Pilot shortage" is over by any stretch of the word. High oil prices are gonna put a strain on the regionals. Thus, there will be less and less RJs flying and less pilots needed. With the mergers seemingly about to take place, there will be little or no hiring at the majors for a while.

If you're just starting your flying lessons or at the beginning stages, this would be a mighty time for you to reconsider. With the age 65 and all the other factors, jobs could be hard to come by. Not trying to be harsh but pure common sense tells you that it's coming.

 

[Guitar Guy]

WWKDS - What would Kit Darby say?

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Actually, I couldn't disagree more with the later statement by minime. The time to get into the industry is when things are in the crapper. When things turn around then you're ready to roll. People who get into it when times are good are usually at the end of a dried up lake bed by the time they make it.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Actually, I couldn't disagree more with the later statement by minime. The time to get into the industry is when things are in the crapper. When things turn around then you're ready to roll. People who get into it when times are good are usually at the end of a dried up lake bed by the time they make it.

Last time I remember when things were crappy was just after 9/11. Most of these new hires to the industry were probably starting training just after 9/11, and now bam....all this looming overhead.

Not so sure this would be a good time to get into this industry if we start furloughing again in mass.

But then again, I've always wondered about people who dumped close to $100K at some of these flight schools to come to an industry to make $20/hour for a shot at a legacy or major career that is still upside down.

 

[MJ42]

Actually, I couldn't disagree more with the later statement by minime. The time to get into the industry is when things are in the crapper. When things turn around then you're ready to roll. People who get into it when times are good are usually at the end of a dried up lake bed by the time they make it.

You obviously were not flying in the early/mid 90's during the PFT crap. You know this is a cyclical business, those who walked out of a flight school into a regional job are in for their first (of many) downturns in this viscious cycle of the aviation world.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Granted, now is not the time to jump headlong into a new career via an academy. But consider that it took me from 1997-2001 to go from pvt thru CFI, there's no need to throw up your arms and walkaway right now. Everyone is always in such a friggen hurry to get, well probably nowhere. Yes there are downturns, and upticks, that's been the business since well forever. But to just say, business is bad so don't ever become a pilot makes no sense.

Remember, airlines aren't the end all be all of aviation. Then again I like to fly airplanes, unlike a lot of the people on this board who would rather play dress up and walk around terminals.

 

[siucavflight]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!

 

[SpauldingSmails]

The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!

Yeah no crap.

 

[MJ42]

Don't think I said give up aviation. What I did say was those who walked out of a flight school into a regional with minimum experience are in for their first downward cycle. The joy ride is over, time to pull up you panties and get back to reality. We're all in the same boat, I'm at a legacy with the opportunity to go to a potential better legacy...I need to make wise choices also. As the old saying goes..."Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it".

Granted, now is not the time to jump headlong into a new career via an academy. But consider that it took me from 1997-2001 to go from pvt thru CFI, there's no need to throw up your arms and walkaway right now. Everyone is always in such a friggen hurry to get, well probably nowhere. Yes there are downturns, and upticks, that's been the business since well forever. But to just say, business is bad so don't ever become a pilot makes no sense.

Remember, airlines aren't the end all be all of aviation. Then again I like to fly airplanes, unlike a lot of the people on this board who would rather play dress up and walk around terminals.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Don't think I said give up aviation. What I did say was those who walked out of a flight school into a regional with minimum experience are in for their first downward cycle. The joy ride is over, time to pull up you panties and get back to reality. We're all in the same boat, I'm at a legacy with the opportunity to go to a potential better legacy...I need to make wise choices also. As the old saying goes..."Those who don't learn from the past are doomed to repeat it".

Agreed.

 

[rumrnr78]

I think it is fair to say that the feces has hit the rotating occilator.
Maybe not a bad time for a college age student getting into the field but if one is in their mid-thirties wanting to pursue "the dream" it might be a good time to just pursue the 100 dollar hamburger and focus on another career.

cheers- rum

 

[eaglefly]

I think it's fair to say a bunch of pilots are moving their mouths...........that's never produced much in the past except a lot of wind.............

 

[siucavflight]

Yes Eaglefly. Lots of talk, but in the end it all stays the same.