To be or not to be? mentorship / sponsorship

[Minotaur12]

I'm mainly fishing around to see what peoples opinion is on mentored or sponsored routes? For me, given my circumstances and beliefs integrated is the way to go (I know many of you will be facepalming now) and obviously it seems like a hugely privileged position for an airline to assist you going through the training, but on one of the aviation podcasts that I listen to, the panel was discussing sponsored / mentored routes and their beliefs and I heard some interesting perspectives on the matter - namely:
the current state of the market is such that guaranteed job offers are increasingly losing their value because of how quickly you can get a job out of training anyway,
they charge more money for such schemes overall - usually around 7,000 - 12,000 EUR more which isn't so much considering the cost overall of training but why are the charging it?
you're tied to an airline after that and whatever they deem fit to pay you.

Now theres a lot of schemes available post training to afford the type rating with airlines now sponsoring type ratings so ... what do you guys think? for the experienced please bear in mind that whilst Ive listened a lot to things on aviation, I'm still at the start of the venture where you may be already licenced. Is it worth hanging out for one or not? Be nice people!!

[Minotaur12]

Is it a means they can get relatively cheap pilots and line their own pockets or is it a fantastic opportunity to enter the industry?

[RichardH]

I have been around long enough to remember the days of proper sponsorships when airlines (including BA) actually PAID (true sponsorship) for you to go and get your Frozen ATPL then you of course would be bonded to that airline for x number of years. These were almost 'guaranteed jobs' assuming you met the demanding standards of the course, you could be asked to leave at anytime should you fail to match up to expectations. However the aviation industry is very much subject to world economics of supply & demand and I was instructor at Oxford when 9/11 happened. Within 48 hours 2 or 3 sponsored courses (BA & Aer Lingus) with 'guaranteed jobs' had been cancelled leaving the students with nothing (mind you with little or no debt). It was extremely difficult to get a flying job for a few of years unless you had 3000+ hours.

I believe true sponsorships are very few (if any), most of the schemes going are based on YOU paying for the course taking all the risks involved. Again you have to meet minimum standards and assuming you get through (not all do) then subject to demand requirements you get taken on. Yes it's better than doing it all on your own but certainly its no 'guaranteed job'. The current demand for pilots will not last for ever, I know graduates still looking for jobs two/three years after completing their courses, others walk into one within a couple of months, almost certainly having to pay for type ratings.

I advise you to really understand the significant risks YOU are potentially taking on and don't believe all the glossy sales brochures and everybody getting jobs. As I keep saying on this forum the last pilot shortage was in 1940!

[Minotaur12]

Originally Posted by RichardH

I have been around long enough to remember the days of proper sponsorships when airlines (including BA) actually PAID (true sponsorship) for you to go and get your Frozen ATPL then you of course would be bonded to that airline for x number of years. These were almost 'guaranteed jobs' assuming you met the demanding standards of the course, you could be asked to leave at anytime should you fail to match up to expectations. However the aviation industry is very much subject to world economics of supply & demand and I was instructor at Oxford when 9/11 happened. Within 48 hours 2 or 3 sponsored courses (BA & Aer Lingus) with 'guaranteed jobs' had been cancelled leaving the students with nothing (mind you with little or no debt). It was extremely difficult to get a flying job for a few of years unless you had 3000+ hours.

I believe true sponsorships are very few (if any), most of the schemes going are based on YOU paying for the course taking all the risks involved. Again you have to meet minimum standards and assuming you get through (not all do) then subject to demand requirements you get taken on. Yes it's better than doing it all on your own but certainly its no 'guaranteed job'. The current demand for pilots will not last for ever, I know graduates still looking for jobs two/three years after completing their courses, others walk into one within a couple of months, almost certainly having to pay for type ratings.

I advise you to really understand the significant risks YOU are potentially taking on and don't believe all the glossy sales brochures and everybody getting jobs. As I keep saying on this forum the last pilot shortage was in 1940!

thanks ever so much for your input Richard. I have considered the risks and have accounted for that in my recertification in my current industry to support me as I’m looking for pilot work but for me the path is simple:
i can’t not try this.

If it ruins me there’s no options! It’s happening and that’s that so I guess I’ll just have to find work

[parkfell]

Also consider the modular route. Cheaper and the identical licence is issued. Do well in the training and you are just as marketable.
Choosing the better providers is probably the difficult part of the process.

[PA28161]

Originally Posted by RichardH

I have been around long enough to remember the days of proper sponsorships when airlines (including BA) actually PAID (true sponsorship) for you to go and get your Frozen ATPL then you of course would be bonded to that airline for x number of years. These were almost 'guaranteed jobs' assuming you met the demanding standards of the course, you could be asked to leave at anytime should you fail to match up to expectations. However the aviation industry is very much subject to world economics of supply & demand and I was instructor at Oxford when 9/11 happened. Within 48 hours 2 or 3 sponsored courses (BA & Aer Lingus) with 'guaranteed jobs' had been cancelled leaving the students with nothing (mind you with little or no debt). It was extremely difficult to get a flying job for a few of years unless you had 3000+ hours.

I believe true sponsorships are very few (if any), most of the schemes going are based on YOU paying for the course taking all the risks involved. Again you have to meet minimum standards and assuming you get through (not all do) then subject to demand requirements you get taken on. Yes it's better than doing it all on your own but certainly its no 'guaranteed job'. The current demand for pilots will not last for ever, I know graduates still looking for jobs two/three years after completing their courses, others walk into one within a couple of months, almost certainly having to pay for type ratings.

I advise you to really understand the significant risks YOU are potentially taking on and don't believe all the glossy sales brochures and everybody getting jobs. As I keep saying on this forum the last pilot shortage was in 1940!

Well aid Richard H; and if there is a pilot shortage it certainly is not for any grade other than captain.