I have to agree Lancelevin.
Any one who reads this forum must be painfully aware that the employment opportunities for any pilot at the moment are quite rare especially for low hours fATPL guys. However as WWW pointed out the first signs of recovery are there.
Pax figures are forecast to increase by between 4.5-5% per annum depending on which departments statistics are used and BALPA's May issue of AirWaves (Vol 7 No 5) paints a very positive picture of recovery over the next 2-3 years.
This is all providing that tensions in the Middle East ease. There is a chance of this as UN inspections and new resolutions are iniated, in addition to the latest Indonesian incident, once again focusing global attention on the hunt for terrorists.
It is a risk all of us who may soon be embarking on training or who have already started have taken. If the Middle East Situation reaches some sort of détente then when we finish we will possibly be in a very favourable position, being recently graduated and current in an upturned market.
There is also a number of us who have harbored this dream for long enough to realize that the first flying job may not be RHS jet, but perhaps part time instructing and are quite happy with this apprenticeship. Whilst the re-numeration may not be appealing many will also have used degrees, apprenticeships, previous work experience to gain a better financial position and to guarantee alternative well paid, part/full time employment to compliment any first steps in the aviation industry.
Whilst a reality check is absolutly essential, ultimately if you don’t buy a ticket you can’t play the game.