bla bla bla

Yeah I talked to some guys from express jet ALPA union committee the other day about this very thing. They said they have a hard time getting into the schools, but are working on it. Also something interesting, when they did go to some universities and schools it was obvious that unions were frowned upon.

It would not take much to educate those potentially interested in flying. Some articles in a few flying mags, a few radio advertisements etc. The problem is when they have invested 30k they start to see the big picture and realize what’s going on in the industry. Then it’s too late, if they quit that 50k is a total waste.

When I started it was pre 911, and the glory days of aviation, delta guys were making 350k a year, 30k for flight training was worth it. I still cannot believe that guys going to school for this! Especially with 100k in debt for 20-40k a year! And to top it off they have huge interest rates. 600-800$ a month payments. Ouch.

skywatch

Captain? You give me too much credit. Still, a few things: Don't know many flying mags that would be interested in convincing people not to become pilots, have never heard of many professional organizations that have a stated goal to discourage folks from learning the profession, (and don't know of many airline jobs that top out at 40k a year anyway).

Otherwise, seems like a stellar attempt at manipulating some basic market forces. Good luck.

bla bla bla

You should be a little concerned with the state of your industry, when the time comes that you need more than 50k a year to support your family, some kid will come and do your job for 10 bucks and hour, cause it will be easier to get a job flying for a regional than working at Wal-Mart. When time comes to upgrade to cap, that 80k will be worth 60k or less because you raise will not keep up with inflation.

News Flash; turboprop captains 10 years ago made 100k a year (adjusted for inflation) Now you will make 55-60k. And yeah, yeah, yeah, I have heard it all before, as soon as I get my 1000 pic im going to fedx swa dal, whatever I decide on. Right. Just hope your regional doesn’t go tu before you get your 3000+ competitive pic. And enjoy the 5+ years of your life trying to get that job that finally pays. I get so tired of flight instructors and others coming on here flaming us who are suggesting ideas for improving our industry.

GA mags would post and have run articles on the state of the industry, we need more. Yeah you may have trouble with a flight instructor magazine. Folks need a full view of the industry before investing 100k.

www.ama-assn.org check it out. Yeah you could say they discourage many from a career in the medical field by limiting the number new students each year, thereby increasing the qualifications to extreemly high levels.

Again, any suggestions. Any?

TXTECHKA

this is inaccurate, there are many many small FBOs through out the country where you can get your ratings in a 150 and then do your comm in 172rg or an arrow and get it all done for cheap. If you go to atp, riddle, pan am, etc you will spend a fortune but at a small place the places will be less, at least in my experience. We had a cfi come work for my school from pan am and he had a 100k in student loans without even getting a college degree, thats rediculous. If you're intrested in non-brand name training then it can be done at an affordable price, your family doesnt have to own a plane.

HSLD

Bravo! A student of logic!

I don't think anyone has a right to an opinion because if opinions differ, someone will have the right violated. I am always interested to hear someone entitled to an opinion when they have earned it through experience or study and present that opinion based on fact.

When someone claims a right to an opinion, it's an attempt to divert the discussion from discovery of the facts at hand, to a discussion of rights.

Squawk_5543

Thats what I'm saying. I think alot of guys can't see past the big brochures and full page magazine ads. Most FBO's operate under the radar and get business by word of mouth. You can save a TON of money with these guys trust me. My airport has and ATP school onsite and everytime I taxi behind one of those guys I feel glad I don't have his debt.

bla bla bla

Ok hard pressed to get them for under 50k. I went to a state university, and the avg was 55k to get em all, this was 5 years ago, and our school was cheep. Most will spend over 70k now days.

Again, what’s your suggestion to help improve the industry?

WestCoaster

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STILL GROUNDED

You nailed it Boss!

Hacker15e

General Aviation is not a profession.

I can see your point if you're talking about ALPA managing the profession from the point of the Commercial ticket onward, but they will only serve to kill off General Aviation if they start pushing an agenda with people just getting into flying.

GA is dying a slow death on its own...it doesn't need any help. If anything, it needs a stronger AOPA to help keep it alive.