I can say 1 thing for sure. More and more people fly by each year (look at data from airports), companies ordering more and more airplanes, opening new routes. More and more airports is build and getting expended. (only in chine they gonna build around 50 new ports (now they have around 90, so they almost gonna doble them).
Im not sure, but it just maaaay be, indication of market picking up?! Or does it mean less pilot jobs available...?
"expensive oil" and stuff like that is completely BS! Companies not gonna close routes and fly less, because of expensive oil. They make money of FLYING, not on having fewer routes.
Ticket prices maybe higher, wages lower, lower service... but by all means, not "less flying".
And lets not forget about "new technology" that make flight much more fuel efficient... which would mean "more jobs"?