Hi there.
I am still pondering whether to commit my life savings and dive in and train to get my fATPL etc...
Obviously, competition for airline jobs at the end of training (i.e low hour pilots etc..) is fierce and I am wondering what the likelyhood of being able to get a job at the end of it all is like.
What I'd quite like to know, if anyone has any data, is the following;
1) what is the current number of ATPL & fATPL holders in the UK
2) I'd also quite like to know any sensible estimations as to the current number of employed commercial pilots there are in the UK.
3) ..and, an estimate of the total number of people in the UK currently training with the ambition to become an airline pilot.
I recently read a post by one of the moderators saying that there are 10,000 CPL holders in Australia that are not employed (at least as pilots), and I can't help feeling that this is the situation the UK is heading for, with a saturated market resulting in ever decreasing conditions of employment (which from reading pprune seems evident).
The CAA has a publication that shows the number of licence holders in early 2004 but does not give any info as to the employment of them.
Also, if anyone has any sensible assumptions as to the future requirements for pilots, (I know no-one has a crystal ball but if you could consider the current trend in supposed airline expansion but then the offsetting factor of likely continuing rises in fuel costs, etc.). I'd be really interested in hearing them.
I know that there are those amongst you that will say "don't do it, it's not like it used to be" and, there are those that will say "go for it! If you try hard enough you will eventually get a job". But I would really appreciate some unbiased opinions before I 'give up my day job'!
Thanks in advance for any helpful comments you can post.
Steve
