It seems counterintuitive that while Delta Air Lines is cutting 7,000 jobs and Alaska Air says 900 jobs will disappear, Delta's flight-school subsidiary is expanding and the airline is worried that a looming pilot shortage may cause flight cancellations -- but the juxtaposition shows to what degree the industry is in flux. Delta Connection Academy opens a new branch in Dayton, Ohio, this month, ready to train new pilots for regional jets, which are growing in number even as the "legacy" carriers like Delta struggle to avoid bankruptcy. Delta said last week it will expand its regional-jet fleet from 36 to 48 aircraft. Delta also faces disruption from a possible crew shortage, as pilots worried about the airline's future take advantage of a pension plan that allows them to retire early with big lump-sum payouts. If the loss of pilots can't be stemmed within a month, bankruptcy may be inevitable, the company said in a statement last week.
Read in an August 2004 issue of Flight International that there is also a pilot shortage looming in . . . guess where . . . . Russia! After so many years of having pilots never fly again, many have packed up and gone elsewhere or left the industry.
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“If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. If it stops moving, subsidize it.”
-President Ronald Reagan
I hate myself for saying this but with the current state of the industry low salaries, poor working conditions no job security etc my advice; run don’t walk in the opposite direction get a university education or go to a good trade school and if you still have a passion to fly, take a cold shower and learn to fly for fun...
I dont believe its still called the USSR... but i suppose thats what we're used to. Russia and China to me do seem like areas where there might be growth but not here in North America. The industry seems to be moving to smaller regional type jets, altho Boeing and Airbus are pushing different philosophies.
Just a reminder for pilots who might get the wrong idea and start applying for work in Russia. The average pilot situation over there is horrible. Pilots are overworked and under paid. Sure, you might argue that we don't make much in Canada either, but when was the last time you saw an A340 captain earn 6000-8500 $ a year? No wonder they're leaving for better salaries. They're ranked below university teachers and health workers...Makes you wonder?
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In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. Buffett
A Canadian pilot could no more work in Russia then pilot the next Space Shuttle.
I have a reletive working there and believe me, there's no way we're waltzing in for a flying job. Good news is, you wouldn't want to. Your standard of living on EI would be better here. Honestly, flying moose meat from Sachigo in a 180 would be better then an Il-62 over the Urals.
It's too bad that people have realized that being a pilot is one of the best jobs in the world. I would love to see pilots worldwide band together in the name of holding out for better pay.
However we all know that some parachutist dropping C172 driver would subvert the movement and offer to fly for free.
sachigo eh? Could be worse. Flying a 172 out of Summer Beaver would take the cake. Though you'd get some great shots of the chiefs mullet. I *had* a great shot of it, but alas the photo was deleted by mistake. If anyone has a nice action shot of roger oskineegish's mullet please post it.
Your right. Ok, Antonov in Odessa vs a Beech 99 in Pickin-chicken.
Tough call.
Ironically, I'm told the Russian girls are knockouts. Stop laughing! Really, I didn't believe it at first, thought it was Vodka talkin' but its true. Guess Joe (Stalin) must have purged the ugly ones and sent them to Manitoba and Alberta to destroy capitalism or poisen us with raunchy perogies...
No wonder they're leaving for better salaries. They're ranked below university teachers and health workers...Makes you wonder?
In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. Buffett
Your right. Ok, Antonov in Odessa vs a Beech 99 in Pickin-chicken.
