To my knowledge, and this could have changed - the only way the CAA used to record statistics towards people doing fATPL's was the amount of people applying for Class 1 medicals - which means nothing really - I held a class 1 before going solo for my PPL, most people with any sense going onto professional training would do the same...

118 My Travel redundancies...............says it all really.

THERE WILL NEVER BE A WORLDWIDE PILOT SHORTAGE.

I tried for a career as a pilot in 1992-3, I contacted many FTO's and quite a few of them were predicting a shortage due 'any day now'. Did that one ever happen????

If only life were that easy eh??,

I really do hope that I can find a decent job flying when I (hopefully) reach fATPL in 2006ish, but I am well aware how quickly things can change in any business, aviation really is just the same as the rest and I know it. My problem is that I am an aviator at heart, always have been, even as a child, and always will be, and I just HAVE to put that in it's box.

So, as I can't see forward, I have to plan forward, one small painful costly step at a time, and who knows where I will end up?. Thats the problem when you have a lack of relevant experience.

I do have a 'B-plan' though, if it all does not work out, sure the aviator will still be inside me but I will then be able to say I gave it a decent bash.

I think you need many skills to be sucessful as a pilot, and interview/job hunting skills are one of the most important. This is where many, IMO fail, Those with 'the mix' that prepare themselves WILL get there, there are many prooners who have proved this on here, and I am sure there are many more out there.

OTB:ok: