Flight training debt now comparable to serfdom?
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Flight training debt now comparable to serfdom?
I have just been doing some reseach for something totally non aviation related and I came across the term Serfdom: Serfdom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It seems the amount of debt that most young pilots are now in and the way that its handled e.g salary barely enough to cover debt repayments, company enforced debt for type rating etc comes pretty close to some of the principles of serfdom?
Is this really where we have landed ourselves as a profession in 2011?
It seems the amount of debt that most young pilots are now in and the way that its handled e.g salary barely enough to cover debt repayments, company enforced debt for type rating etc comes pretty close to some of the principles of serfdom?
Is this really where we have landed ourselves as a profession in 2011?
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It's been getting worse and worse for years. Airlines making money on employees, charging £35K for a TR and line training. Desperation/impatience is making many airlines lots of money at the moment, and of course they're all willing to sign 
contracts with terms and conditions because there is nothing better out there. It's tough and I can't really see it getting any better, not for a long time yet anyway.
Best thing to do these days is try to train with minimal debt, unless you've got tonnes of cash to get rid of. Go modular and give the likes of OAA and CTC the finger.
contracts with terms and conditions because there is nothing better out there. It's tough and I can't really see it getting any better, not for a long time yet anyway.Best thing to do these days is try to train with minimal debt, unless you've got tonnes of cash to get rid of. Go modular and give the likes of OAA and CTC the finger.
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Hardly "serfdom" when it is your choice. Following on from the tortured logic, you would have to wonder at the intelligence of those who voluntarily contracted to become "serfs."
Yes it is expensive, but so are many things in life. Private schooling for just the 5 years of secondary education often far exceeds the cost of integrated flight training. University fees are rising to a level that would rival the cost of a modular CPL/IR course. Don't even begin to ask Americans about the costs of college education, and there, that level of education is a pre-requisite for a career as an airline pilot.
Nobody forces you into this career, and yes it is usually very expensive indeed. If you are being forced by someone, then might be some merit in the argument, otherwise it is moot.
Yes it is expensive, but so are many things in life. Private schooling for just the 5 years of secondary education often far exceeds the cost of integrated flight training. University fees are rising to a level that would rival the cost of a modular CPL/IR course. Don't even begin to ask Americans about the costs of college education, and there, that level of education is a pre-requisite for a career as an airline pilot.
Nobody forces you into this career, and yes it is usually very expensive indeed. If you are being forced by someone, then might be some merit in the argument, otherwise it is moot.
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Joined: May 2003
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People were not always forced to become "serfs", they often went into it by choice offering them protection of there crops etc etc. This is Similar in the sense that many young pilots now feel forced to accept reduced terms and conditions as they have a large debt hanging over there heads.
With younger relatives going to University and having been to a University that had exchange students over from the United states, I'm only too well aware of the costs now involved.
I agree no one is forced into this, just wondered if the discussion would get a few people thinking and maybe make a few more people take a sensible approach to financing flight training!
With younger relatives going to University and having been to a University that had exchange students over from the United states, I'm only too well aware of the costs now involved.
I agree no one is forced into this, just wondered if the discussion would get a few people thinking and maybe make a few more people take a sensible approach to financing flight training!
