Pilots only Question?

Question

I went to a flight school. Maybe some of you have herd of it. Airman flight school. It shut down and left me bone dry with a HUGE loan to pay off. I'm getting back into it slowly since I have to pay for it myself. I just recived my instrument rating and i'm wanting to start my commercial. I don't have any desire to fly for an airline. I want to fly cargo or something like that. I guess my question to all of you pilots out there is after flight instruction for a year or two what do you think the market will be like? Any referances would help me out a bunch. Its my dream and its all i've wanted to do my whole life. Thanks agian to all of you pilots out there!

I am in Oklahoma City Oklahoma...I am thinking that I will finish at ATP in Arlington TX since that is the closest place to me that I can find. Allthough they charge a lot for their training its only a 90 day program. Anyone have any thoughts on that school?

Answer 1

The cargo market will continue to grow and be a great source of good jobs. If you want to pursue it, by all means go for it just be aware of the realities. You will spend an average of about hours per day at home with the rest being away at work. You will make about $15,000 a year your first year. You will never have any real job security, because theres always someone who just graduated from the same flight school you did thats willing to work for $15,000 a year.

But if you can stick it out, you can be rewarded. UPS and FedEx are two of the best employers in the aviation world. they pay well, offer good benefits, and a good work environment. There are many other companies that treat their employees well too, you just have to be willing to suck it up for 10 years or so before you can get one of the "good" jobs.

As for ATP...They give you exactly what they offer. You will get a certificate in 90 days or less. You will know exactly what you need to know in order to earn your certificate, and not a dime more than that. You will get it, but after that when you hit the job market, you will be at a competitive disadvantage against pilots who have gone a more traditional route and spent more time on their ratings. You will hear ATP grads telling you differently, but don't believe them. I graduated from an aviation school and I feel like I received a MUCH better education than anything ATP has to offer. And yes, I did attend ATP for a time too, I earned my Airline Transport Pilot certificate at their Long Beach campus so I know a little bit about them. The more traditional schools are far better. Take a little extra time and learn while you have a chance.

Answer 2

The Market for pilots is like a oil mine, there will be a few glitches here and there but will only last for 2-4 weeks at a time. so when you ready to enter the Cargo business things will still be fine there will be jobs. unless you enter in the 2-4weeks I told you about then all you do is wait it out. For all we know The industry could be bigger in a year or two with all the new Aircraft in production.

Another thing If you plan on staying in Cargo then you safe because most pilots want to end up in Airlines. So there steps are Instructor -Cargo -Airlines. the pilot to worry the least is Cargo. every only moves through it they almost never stay in.

Good luck your job is waiting. But take your time It has all the time in the world.

Answer 3

Hey ty_n it would help to know where you are generally located and where you might be willing to locate. I have lots of other pilot friends that fly cargo for companies and some do forest details as well, they may be able to advise better but would need to know where you are roughly located.
All the best and whatever you decide continue to follow your dreams. It is too bad about the flight school and leaving you with a huge loan, but you can do this and you are on the right track just stay true to your dreams.

Answer 4

I was a pilot in Vietnam (F-4 phantom) but did not go into commercial aviation. Many of my fellow veterans who did become commercial pilots are now retiring. For the next few years, I believe there will be some good openings and opportunities.

Did you check into seeing if you can go after the owners of the flight school and what assets they had? Did you have a government loan? Some of them are insured. Good luck.

Answer 5

Good opportunies with all the baby-boomers retiring. Maybe the shortage will be such, that the FAA will allow them to fly at the airlines until 65.

Right now, at 60 they must leave those jobs (as airline pilot).

I see good things coming. China is starting to recruit pilots with 1000 hours. Some regionals in the US are hiring with 500 hours. That show the way things are pointing.

That is at current levels. I think that with the new minijets entering the market, things are going to become massive.

Good luck

Answer 6

1- A 'Pilot' is not a 'Businessman'!
2- A 'Pilot' forcast is not extend 'Two Years'!
3- Try to sound like a 'Pilot' ...

4- I do not appriciate this attitute from a man claiming being a 'Pilot'

Major Keyvan Nourhaghighi
Iranian Senior Fighter Pilot

READ SOME STORIES ABOUT IRANIAN FIGHTER PILOTS TO KEEP YOUR MORAL UPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!
http://www.geocities.com/doworkout
http://www.geocities.com/doworkout/sec3a.html
http://www.geocities.com/doworkout/section3.html
http://www.geocities.com/doworkout/judgtable.html

Answer 7

don't do it.