Since you're reading this blog, you're probably very interested in becoming a pilot and having a long, satisfying career as a professional pilot. But maybe you've read that things aren't as good with the airline industry in many countries as they were a year ago. So what should you do?
Think past today. Use this time to become trained and then build flight hours so your resume will be attractive to airlines. If you wait until all the airlines throughout the world are hiring again before you start pilot training, you're going to miss some really good chances at wonderful jobs with airlines.
Here's the reality: Demand is expected to grow over the next several years for pilots and dispatchers. The reason is that up to one-fourth of pilots of 'baby boomer' age will be retiring. That's about 100,000 pilots in the U.S. alone. The only reason, some say, that we're not experiencing this strong demand for pilots right now is that the economy has kept older pilots from retiring, as their retirement savings have decreased significantly in value.
The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the U.S. aviation industry will have to hire 14,000 pilos by 2016 to replace retiring pilots and to meet the demand for air travel. Much of this hiring will be for low-cost (discount) airlines and regional airlines, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That's perfect for young pilots, because such airlines is your first career step -- first job -- when graduating from flight training!
Understand that like many industries, professional aviation has its ups and downs. However, the long-term growth rate for career pilots is excellent. So what are you waiting for? Need more information about being trained to become an airline pilot? See www.pea.com.