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Baby boomers retiring, huge shortage, "it will take years to meet demand!"


eagle5

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Hmmm...that's interesting. Heli max here in Cali bought a couple, Sky Aviation in Wyoming also did, Construction did this year. Billings bought at least a couple too. Columbia of course has been the sole operator for a couple decades but there's a few more games in town now.

 

So those few helicopters that were bought just blow the doors wide open for the probably hundreds of pilots out there who have 46 time?

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So those few helicopters that were bought just blow the doors wide open for the probably hundreds of pilots out there who have 46 time?

 

 

No, but there's never been more civilian 46/47 operators then there are now. EVER. So his CHANCES of finding a gig are higher now then ever. Before it was only Columbia or the Military if you wanted to fly one.

 

I don't know if there are "hundreds" of pilots out there with 46 time looking for a pilot job. But if there are, there's no better time to have 46/47 time under your belt and start networking and making calls ;) Tell him to get carded too.

 

I'm curious what his plan was by getting out with all that 46 time? Was he planning on flying for Columbia since that's all there was? Did he contact them before getting out to set up some contacts there? Did he think he'd walk into a job flying a Type II for someone else and get carded then fly a 46?

Edited by adam32
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Well his "plan" for all that 46 time was serving in the Marines. He had been prior enlisted. Retired as a captain with his 20. You do realize that not everyone joins the military for the free flight school right? He did his time and got out. Now he's having a difficult time finding anything because he only has about 1000hrs. Appareantly he didn't find it to he as easy as you describe. He's not unemployed, but not working as a pilot. Again, emphasizing the "pilot shortage" is a marketing scheme.

Edited by Flying Pig
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Well his "plan" for all that 46 time was serving in the Marines. He had been prior enlisted. Retired as a captain with his 20. You do realize that not everyone joins the military for the free flight school right? He did his time and got out. Now he's having a difficult time finding anything because he only has about 1000hrs. Appareantly he didn't find it to he as easy as you describe. He's not unemployed, but not working as a pilot. Again, emphasizing the "pilot shortage" is a marketing scheme.

Well you answered your own question, he didn't have a plan to become a working civilian pilot. No wonder he's having trouble finding a job.

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Pig, he needs light ship PIC time and to network with those operators. Get some time at Hillsboro, LEA or somewhere like it that has a flight school and utility/charter side. Pay out of pocket or use the 9/11. It's bad timing right now, but you never know. People move around at the end of the season. Is he aware of how to log PIC time IAW FARs, not Marine regs?

 

You say he isn't in a position to get a CFI job. Why not? What are his goals in the industry? Family time? Decent money? Fun? Once he's > 1500 hrs PIC, he can pick two. Until then he has to pick one (and not the middle one).

 

Eagle5, apparently if said unemployed CFI has a degree they could substitute teach in AK. $100/day! And they'd be ace at setting up lesson plans!

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Well his "plan" for all that 46 time was serving in the Marines. He had been prior enlisted. Retired as a captain with his 20. You do realize that not everyone joins the military for the free flight school right? He did his time and got out. Now he's having a difficult time finding anything because he only has about 1000hrs. Appareantly he didn't find it to he as easy as you describe. He's not unemployed, but not working as a pilot. Again, emphasizing the "pilot shortage" is a marketing scheme.

Not judging anybody for their decisions but if I were a retired Marine Captain I'd be looking at a managerial position in corporate America over flying helicopters for a small paycheck.

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American cutting Pittsburgh flights to St. Louis, Hartford

 

http://www.wpxi.com/ap/ap/pennsylvania/american-cutting-pittsburgh-flights-to-st-louis-ha/nnXdQ/

 

There it is, proof positive that we have a national pilot shortage (at least for fixed wing). We have so few trained pilots in this country that American Airlines is cancelling flights.

 

:wacko:

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That's awesome! Although the real reason is probably people just using cheaper airlines who don't charge for every little thing (still waiting for a credit card slot style lock on the bathroom doors, you know its coming)!

 

Yeah, wouldn't it be totally sweet if Papillon or PHI said they had to cut back due to a lack of pilots! A guy can dream. :D

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There will never be a lack of helicopter pilots. Qualified pilots yes, pilots that meet insurance and contract requirements without pencil whipping yes, pilots that won't work for peanuts yes. But overall "helicopter pilots" will always be an adundance.

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I am the least hirable pilot on the planet. I'm not a cfi, not instrument rated, not good with people, a slow learner, weigh more than 200lbs, and I get sick as a passenger. Plus my training was way too long ago!

 

So,...

 

The day that I come on here and say I finally found my first job as a pilot, is the day you will know that the pilot shortage is finally real!

 

,...which would be a miracle since I'm no longer looking! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:)

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American cutting Pittsburgh flights to St. Louis, Hartford

 

http://www.wpxi.com/ap/ap/pennsylvania/american-cutting-pittsburgh-flights-to-st-louis-ha/nnXdQ/

 

There it is, proof positive that we have a national pilot shortage (at least for fixed wing). We have so few trained pilots in this country that American Airlines is cancelling flights.

 

:wacko:

 

Not remotely true.

 

Those lines were operated by Trans States, a bottom feeder regional, doing code share for American Airlines. That was not American Airlines.

 

AA is having no difficulty whatsoever hiring applicants, and has no semblance of a "pilot shortage."

 

Trans States pays dirt poor wages and is toward the bottom of regional airlines as an employer; the reason it's scaling back is internal management issues, and a poor offering for prospective wannabe pilots. Starting wage is 1,500 dollars a month. 500 pilots on property, they want 1,200 due to expansion from 25 aircraft to 76 aircraft; filling seats isn't simply a matter of not having enough applicants. Trans States has overreached themselves, presently code shares for several major airlines. The regional airline world is a far, far cry from anything you may have experienced as a military aviatior, or as a civil helicopter pilot.

 

There is no pilot shortage. There may be shortage of certain qualified individuals willing to prostitute themselves for bottom feeder sub-par operators, but does not imply nor equate to a pilot shortage. Poor employers can cry chicken-little all they like, but the sky is not falling. Whereas previously the regional bottom-of-the-barrel types like waterski (transtates) got by hiring 250 hour wet-behind-the ears know-nothings who'd do anything to get a little flight time, now they need a minimum of 1,500 hours and an ATP to be considered. Many who have those minimal qualifications find that they can go elsewhere and do better, so bypass the sad sack operators like transtates. That does not signify a pilot shortage. There are plenty of pilots; we're a dime a dozen. Those willing to settle for so little...why, when there is better available?

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I am the least hirable pilot on the planet. I'm not a cfi, not instrument rated, not good with people, a slow learner, weigh more than 200lbs, and I get sick as a passenger. Plus my training was way too long ago!

 

So,...

 

The day that I come on here and say I finally found my first job as a pilot, is the day you will know that the pilot shortage is finally real!

 

,...which would be a miracle since I'm no longer looking! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:)

No one cares.

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