Now is the Time to Take Advantage of the Pilot Shortage
Are you thinking about becoming a pilot? If so, the looming pilot shortage may encourage you to act quickly. Read on to learn more about the shortage.
Pilots are some of the most respected people in our society.
If you have ever considered becoming a pilot, now is the perfect time to make your dream a reality.
An expected pilot shortage in the airline industry means that commercial pilots are in demand now more than ever before.
Once, becoming a commercial pilot was difficult due to competition. Now, sadly, fewer people are interested in becoming a pilot.
But let's inspect the situation with a glass-half-full outlook.
Today, anybody with a passion for flying and the determination to learn can fill the gap.
That could be you. Here's why now is better than ever to become a pilot.
Why the Pilot Shortage?
Recent statistics show a troubling trend in the number of pilots flying around the United States.
As Bloomberg has reported, studies from top aviation departments in the United States predict that by 2026, the pilot deficit could be as big as 15,000.
That's curious, because the average pilot salary is around 80,000 dollars, and the highest earners can make as much as 200,000 dollars.
So, what's the deal?
The pilot shortage can be explained by a few factors.
On the one hand, tuition for flight school is very expensive, and some students would rather take another job than take on more debt.
Another cause for concern is a general lack of interest in becoming a pilot.
There are ways around these dilemmas--the more pressing concern might surprise you.
The current population of pilots is simply quitting.
That's not out of their own choosing. The mandatory retirement age for pilots, as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, is 65.
That means that a large chunk of seasoned veterans will soon be retiring.
Airlines are scrambling to fill the expected lack of pilots in a few years. That means better situations for future pilots like you.
Why not test the waters?
Now is the best time to hop in the academy and begin the process of becoming a pilot.
The Pilot Process: A Worthy Investment
The biggest deterrent of potential pilots is high tuition. Students don't want to take on the debt of the flight academy.
That fear is a big contributor to the pilot shortage. It's no joke that learning to become a commercial pilot can hit your pockets.
But that doesn't mean you have no options to make your financial situation manageable.
There are methods to combat the high costs. From loans to scholarships, there are resources that exist to ease the potential burden of training to become a pilot.
Plus, for military veterans, The GI bill can help reduce costs, too.
Plus, airlines are aware of the looming gap, and they are working to incentivize future pilots to join the elite club.
That means you'll be able to cover your financial costs faster than ever before once you are a professional. Maybe just a few years into your career.
The Security of Being a Pilot
One of the biggest draws of the airline industry is the consistent and secure employment opportunity.
Today, in a world where industries are constantly changing and shrinking, there remains ample job security, paid vacation time, and work hours for pilots.
People need to fly. Airlines need pilots. Even young pilots are in demand.
That's why pilots are consistently given solid retirement plans and bonuses that can lead to a decades-long career.
And, facing the pilot shortage, airlines are increasing the already-great perks of working as a pilot.
Even new pilots who begin their careers at regional airlines, as opposed to the big hitters like United, Delta, and American, can make 60,000 dollars out of school.
As you advance in your flying career, the salaries and bonuses only get better.
The perks are so good that even someone with no passion for flying has good reason to fill out an application to pilot school.
But there's so much more than money with a pilot career.
Oh, the Places You'll See
A career as a pilot can quite change your perspective on the world.
You won't have to try--you'll simply see more of it.
The average person cannot afford to travel, whether because of their workload or because of financial concerns.
A pilot is paid to travel to different places around the world.
As a pilot, when your shift ends, you'll end up in a city you probably don't know well.
You'll regularly see places and sights you never thought you'd get to see, at least not until retirement.
If you're not yet convinced, listen to the words of former pilots.
One wrote on Slate about how much fun flying is. You get a front-row seat to seeing the planet from thousands of feet in the air.
As he writes, you can rest easy at night, knowing you've done good work.
You will also get the occasional adventure story too!
An Elite Club
The pilot shortage is a golden opportunity for anyone who understands how fantastic a career can be as a pilot.
Captains have always demanded a certain respect in our society. Anyone who travels by plane knows that the pilot of their flight is in charge.
You are providing a service that passengers require. For a family traveling across the country for the holidays, for example, you can be the one who gets them there.
Pilots are the oil that makes the great transportation machine move.
It's far from a thankless job. A network of veteran pilots can help you succeed.
The pilot is in charge of the safety of the passengers. That means serious responsibility, and everyone knows it.
So, if you want a career where you are given a hugely important role, day in, day out, look no further than being a pilot.
Are you up to the Task?
It's not a coincidence that one of the most critically acclaimed and popular movies last year was about a hero pilot.
Pilots naturally seem like heroes.
Even amidst a pilot shortage, people understand pilots to be some of the most important members of society. Do you?
To learn more about this fulfilling career, start with part one of our series, "So You Want To Be A Contract Pilot?"
