Career advice for Pilots..

[Sholayo]

Originally Posted by Mooneyboy

Why not turn this into a more pro active thread instead of a ‘everyone is doomed’ thread.

Does anyone have any experience of being made redundant as a pilot and what jobs did you go into or what advice do you give others?

Is there any ( I know someone clever will say McDonald’s) jobs or career where pilots skills are transferable or regarded as a positive that can be used to support a family?

I’m hoping not to have to use the advice but might be useful to work out a plan for those of us with long aviation careers and not much else.

Frankly I find it hilarious that ideas many pilots have here on this forum are jobs like plumbers or bus drivers. I always thought (and even expressed this here some time ago in totally different thread) that ability to work under stress, quick problem solving and decision making along with 'practical engineering' makes any pilot excellent candidate for project manager in many areas. And trust me - even in IT I see many great IT project managers who are not of IT background. It always help but is not critical. All you have to do is to be able to be humble, learn quick, listen to others. Does it sound familiar?

&

[The Foss]

Originally Posted by flocci_non_faccio

the majority of pilots will be seeing out their working lives in minimum wage employment.

Honestly you need to give this line a rest. In the very very worst case scenario where a ‘majority’ of pilots aren’t able to find work in the next 3 years, are you really suggesting that people who have been airline captains have so little about them that they are suitable for nothing other than a minimum wage job for the rest of their life?
Yes you won’t be walking into a job with the same level of pay, or likely even reach that again in your career but provided you’re less than say 60 there is still plenty of time to build up another career from the bottom just like any other person does.

[giord]

Do You think lack of recency will be a big problem when (and if) airline will start hiring again ?

[Papa_Golf]

If the world is doomed I'd like to become a local warlord.

[Herod]

If the world is doomed I'd like to become a local warlord.

Can I apply to be your vice-chief? I like the idea of being in charge of vice.

[greeners]

Originally Posted by Sholayo

I always thought (and even expressed this here some time ago in totally different thread) that ability to work under stress, quick problem solving and decision making along with 'practical engineering' makes any pilot excellent candidate for project manager in many areas. And trust me - even in IT I see many great IT project managers who are not of IT background. It always help but is not critical. All you have to do is to be able to be humble, learn quick, listen to others. Does it sound familiar?

&

Completely agree. I was medically grounded out of professional aviation at one stage and found that a lot of the skills translated well into an Investment Banking environment, especially in the Risk Management arena.

[neville_nobody]

Completely agree. I was medically grounded out of professional aviation at one stage and found that a lot of the skills translated well into an Investment Banking environment, especially in the Risk Management arena.

If one has a previous background in Finance, I would agree however you don't just walk into an investment bank with no experience and get dropped into the Risk Management team without some sort of experience and qualification in the area. Who you went to school with would probably help in some establishments.

[torvalds]

Originally Posted by neville_nobody

If one has a previous background in Finance, I would agree however you don't just walk into an investment bank with no experience and get dropped into the Risk Management team without some sort of experience and qualification in the area. Who you went to school with would probably help in some establishments.

Why? Do you think those qualified in finance would do (did) any better? It's all fugazi. It's a whazy. It's a woozie. It's fairy dust. You just gotta feed the geese to keep the blood flowing. Anybody can do it.

[torvalds]

You had a dream to become a pilot and you made it happen. You can do anything else you'd like if you work really hard for it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise

[Busdriver01]

Originally Posted by torvalds

Why? Do you think those qualified in finance would do (did) any better? It's all fugazi. It's a whazy. It's a woozie. It's fairy dust. You just gotta feed the geese to keep the blood flowing. Anybody can do it.

*beats chest*

“hmm hmmm hm.”

[Caroline Lane]

Hope to all

As someone who wanted to be a pilot since I was a little girl, who never got there as it wasn't the done thing, Every time I get on a plane I wish I was up the front flying. I read the comments with great sadness.

So many of you loosing your jobs. I'm the enemy it seems. Lol An accountant. My opinion is that once the virus calms down people will take off again. We came back to Australia cutting our holiday to Japan short when our PM told us to get home. We haven't even finished our 14 day quarantine and already talking about starting our holiday again next january.

Many would have postponed their holiday and I think will take off once they know the virus is under control.

My fingers are crossed for you all that this will be over quickly.

Keep safe.

Caz

[neville_nobody]

Why? Do you think those qualified in finance would do (did) any better? It's all fugazi. It's a whazy. It's a woozie. It's fairy dust. You just gotta feed the geese to keep the blood flowing. Anybody can do it.

There are whole postgraduate courses on Financial Risk Management. Usually done by people with 2 degrees and a postgraduate qualification already. What you probably don't realise is that when you start talking about Investment Banking the Talent Pool is not a pool it's the Pacific Ocean. Ridiculously smart people come of out the woodwork to work there. That is why pilots are talking about doing trades or working in supermarkets, flying around the world in a jet doesn't get you very far in most industries without some sort of relevant qualification and experience.

[bringbackthe80s]

If it all goes down the drain this is our chance to simplify our lives. Go Build a cabin somewhere in the woods or close to the water, open a small coffe shop or something. Whatever gets you by. And give the middle finger to this rotten system we created.
Not sure what I’m going to do, but I sure know what I am NOT going to do: spend one more minute feeding the 5% who own the 50%. If in the finance world even more so, the bonuses and dividends these days are an utter shame. My kids will hopefully learn there is always an option.

[inabw]

[marchino61]

Originally Posted by bringbackthe80s

Not sure what I’m going to do, but I sure know what I am NOT going to do: spend one more minute feeding the 5% who own the 50%.

I have news for you. In all probability you are part of that 5% (of the world population) who own the 50%.

[marchino61]

Eurocontrol's pessimistic scenario is my optimistic one. I can't see any way that lock-downs will be lifted in the next two months. The USA will just be peaking in May, I reckon.

[Herod]

That Eurocontrol graph needs to be moved at least four months further down the line. I don't see much of Europe coming out of total lockdown until mid-June at the earliest, and travel won't become possible until maybe August. Then we shall see.

[NoelEvans]

Originally Posted by FlyingStone

Cargo has been in decline for more than a decade. I doubt the current demand will last a long time.

Please justify your comment on the "decline for more than a decade"?

I know this report is about two years old now, but:

Air cargo has recovered and is on track to grow 4.2% over the next 20 years

Air cargo traffic grew 10.1 percent in 2017, more than double the long-term average growth rate. In the next 20 years, air cargo traffic is expected to more than double and the world freighter fleet will grow by more than 75 percent.

E-commerce will continue to boost air cargo demand

Global retail e-commerce sales were $2.3 trillion in 2017, more than double the $1.1 trillion spent in 2012. With no signs of slowing down, the e-commerce market size is forecast to double again by 2021, reaching nearly $4.9 trillion.

I can't track them down right now but Flight International's report on cargo two years ago said that short-haul cargo in Europe was the fastest growing sector of the airline industry in the world at 11% growth. Their report a year ago stated that the USA/China trade scuffles had led to declines in cargo, mostly long-haul, but the growth in European short-haul cargo had reduced to 'only' 8%.

All the massive building work at both ends of East Midlands Airport over the past few years does not point to "decline".

Right now and for quite a bit into the future my "Career advice for Pilots.." would be Cargo.

[deltahotel]

NoelEVans. Shhhhhhh

[flash8]

Interesting discussion.

I was once on an Aer Lingus flight back in the late 90's on the jumpseat and the Captain enquired why I was leaving a well paid IT career for flying... I told him IT was boring... he then recommended I stick with IT and if he could have had the chance he would have studied IT and not had a career flying.. Unfortunately I ignored him.

Finished my CPL/IR back in the early 2000's and due to personal issues left in early 2006 after a few years on the 737, before flying I saved for my licence with IT work (having a Computer Science Degree) and after I went back to IT, and within a few years my career returned back on track effectively.

There are HUGE advantages to having a steady 9-5 (possibly well remunerated) job, family life stable, time to enjoy yourself and hobbies.. have a life... I mean you only have one!

This may well be a chance for some to reevaluate things and decide a change is long overdue.

Sorry can't offer career advice though.