Start training now for an upturn in a year or two? Risky advice!
Along with the well publicised failures of some major carriers, XL, ZOOM, Silverjet etc. there has been a major, quiet and slow job cull throughout the industry.
Compulsory redundancies, voluntary redundancies, unpaid leave, sabbaticals for 12 months, tough rules on failed sim checks, not replacing retirees (there goes the new retirement bubble) and so on. The industry is bleeding qualified, experienced pilots from both the left and right seats at the moment. Major airlines and many minor ones are rationalising their staff base and culling all un-necessary staff and you advise starting training now?
United have cut 27000 jobs just to try and keep the business afloat. Whilst all are not pilot jobs obviously, there will be no 'rush' to return airlines to pre-crash manning levels. Add to that Delta, US and all of the smaller carriers around the world and you get an idea of how many 'qualified' pilots are out of work at the moment.
Take your two years training and then add on a year or two again as the industry soaks up the qualified hold pools that are currently full.
Not trying to be too negative, it is indeed a good job. (Although, if I am being brutally honest, Airline flying is not the most challenging aviation job in the world) but before you leap head first into a difficult and potentially expensive environment it is worth knowing the risks.
Good luck
Last edited by wobble2plank; 24th Apr 2009 at 14:52.