In essence, what he writes with regards to the financial world is correct.
With regards to it's effect on the aviation industry, nothing much will change!
Low cost in India and Asia is just booming...
The middle east is screaming for pilots and will continue to do so, albeit with experience required, but this is where the movement in the "food chain" will come from...
There is a 2 year waiting list for Biz Jets at this present time, Cessna, for one, can not make them fast enough, a cancelled order is your only hope!
As for the UK market, well the airline I work for has a Boeing aircraft order of over 40 new frames, they will be replacing present units of course, with a focus on ultra long haul, leaving the RYR and EZE's to the "bucket and spade" routes, this is gonna "eat" crew!!!! Other UK airlines have the same commercial plan...
Then there's EZE themselves, they are filling there hold pool now for a start date in winter 2008, I heard 450 pilots required in 2009, not sure how true that is? WWW could maybe confirm that...
Retirements: I know many many guys who are not working to 65, so throw in the retirements of all those post WW2 kiddies, that should commence in 2008 onwards...
Pilots will be needed for some time to come yet, this will create financial options. The options of UK quality companies to work for is diminishing somewhat I admit but then thats down to personal choice. The financial risk in flying training will always be there, but just get on with it - it's worked for every single "Average Joe" PPL I know who took the Commercial risk, not one failed in there dream, they haven't looked back and are enjoying successful careers across UK airlines...work hard and you will succeed...the options in this job are huge and still growing and changing rapidly...it's an awesome industry to be involved in!!!!
Last edited by Sean Dillon; 12th November 2007 at 11:11.