[jbsuper80]

The Major airlines will probably not hire for 7-10 more years. If you get hired by JetBlue, AirTran, etc. this is your career. You should start looking at career earnings/retierment/benefits.

[NSDwight]

It's been said that 7-10 years from now more than a quarter of major airline pilots will be retired, so have a little more faith in your career!

War, SARS, September 11th--those things don't typically happen EVERYTIME there's an economic recession much less all in short period, less than 24 months.

Reality is important, but don't throw your own hopes away yet! Things might look bad now, but how much worse did they look a year ago? Being a 'flight student'-whatever that means, if you got hired at a major airline in 7-10 years, you're probably doing a lot better than ya think!

After all, somebody's going to have to do the job one way or another .. why not you?

Good luck mate!

-Dwight

[jbsuper80]

Dwight- you sound like a very positive person, and I am sure you will/are going to have a great career in aviation. I am with a major airline that has to offer recall rights to 2500 pilots on furlogh before we can start hireing again.
The long term future looks very bright for all airlines, and their will be another major hireing boom down the road. But for all the guys who are/will be with the large jet carriers, and do not want to start over on another airline senority list in 7 years----Go for it! you got into this business to fly big planes and command a great salery. 1984-large jet airline capt pay 120k/year
1994-large jet airline capt pay 120k/year.
2004-large jet airline capt pay 120k/year.
Folks the industry has not had a raise in 20 years!(except SWA god bless em')

Good career's to all-- JB

[bushpilotjohnny]

You guys have fun waiting those "7-10" years, I'm a Bushpilot, i already flew in Asia and will be going to Africa soon, now that's where I'm getting all the fun, the real flying and helping people rather than babysit the controls and start making those 150 000 a year by the age of 45 .

Good Luck !

[FMS4200]

I agree with the BushPilot. For those who are in it for the money get out. You gotta love flying to be in this business or it will drag you down. Why else do you think they call this site "Will Fly For Food"?

[Damff]

I know a lot of people get into aviation to fulfill the airline dream. I had the desire just as bad as anyone. About 8 years ago I took a look at corporate aviation and I haven't looked back since. Starting pay when I was hired was $78,400 and it moved to $100,000 within the next 3-4 years. I usually only work 2-3 days a week and I take my golf clubs everywhere I go. We have a lot of customer trips to World Class golf resorts in which we are always invited to play. A lot of pilots think corporate is a terrible thing, for me it has been a blessing. No commuting, not that many overnights, home on holidays, time to to relax on road when on trips, 60% of income for retirement, and no lay offs.
Give corporate try, get on with a Fortune 500 company and you won't regret it.

[NewPilot]

I know a lot of people get into aviation to fulfill the airline dream. I had the desire just as bad as anyone. About 8 years ago I took a look at corporate aviation and I haven't looked back since. Starting pay when I was hired was $78,400 and it moved to $100,000 within the next 3-4 years. I usually only work 2-3 days a week and I take my golf clubs everywhere I go. We have a lot of customer trips to World Class golf resorts in which we are always invited to play. A lot of pilots think corporate is a terrible thing, for me it has been a blessing. No commuting, not that many overnights, home on holidays, time to to relax on road when on trips, 60% of income for retirement, and no lay offs.
Give corporate try, get on with a Fortune 500 company and you won't regret it.

Damff,
What company do you work for? I am retiring from the Army soon and might try corporate after my flight school is over. What kind of planes do you fly?