Pilots leaving the industry

[Legacy]

Interesting read...

I got my rotary wing licence in the spring of 2001, never got in anywhere and became a statistic. Was fun though.

[Icewind]

About 20 years ago I did some instructor refresher training and a study was quoted that had been done a few years before that,  It followed up a large number of people who had been issued helicopter licenses.  It identified that approximately 1/3 of the group never got a job, 1/3 of them lasted less than 5 years and got out and only 1/3 were working as pilots more than five years later.  Wonder what a similar study would show for the last decade.

[shakey]

10 hours ago, Icewind said:

About 20 years ago I did some instructor refresher training and a study was quoted that had been done a few years before that,  It followed up a large number of people who had been issued helicopter licenses.  It identified that approximately 1/3 of the group never got a job, 1/3 of them lasted less than 5 years and got out and only 1/3 were working as pilots more than five years later.  Wonder what a similar study would show for the last decade.

9 out of 7 people don't understand fractions!

[hybrid]

22 hours ago, Icewind said:

About 20 years ago I did some instructor refresher training and a study was quoted that had been done a few years before that,  It followed up a large number of people who had been issued helicopter licenses.  It identified that approximately 1/3 of the group never got a job, 1/3 of them lasted less than 5 years and got out and only 1/3 were working as pilots more than five years later.  Wonder what a similar study would show for the last decade.

I think the numbers of 100 hr. pilots finding employment 20 years ago would probably have been around 15%, far less now. Hope I passed the math quiz🙄

[ramen rider]

100hr pilots not finding work!  ####, I'm a 700 hour pilot and I can't find work!

Leave?  How about, just don't join in the first place.  This industry sucks!

[dbw]

I lasted 15+ years and approx 5000 hours till I pulled the handle and went to fixed wing. Did 20+ years fixed wing and retired with a pension for which I give thanks pretty much every day. No regrets. 

[shakey]

11 hours ago, ramen rider said:

100hr pilots not finding work!  ####, I'm a 700 hour pilot and I can't find work!

Leave?  How about, just don't join in the first place.  This industry sucks!

Would you have listened if we told you?

[ramen rider]

2 hours ago, shakey said:

Would you have listened if we told you?

Hmm, good question, considering all I was told was how all the old guys were retiring leaving a HUGE NATIONWIDE PILOT SHORTAGE for me to take advantage of. 

[hybrid]

14 hours ago, ramen rider said:

100hr pilots not finding work!  ####, I'm a 700 hour pilot and I can't find work!

Leave?  How about, just don't join in the first place.  This industry sucks!

I don't quite understand that you can't find a job with 700 hours, I can think of at least 3 operators that can't find light/intermediate pilots right now. You might want to sharpen up that resume and make a few more calls. Maybe don't disclose you opinion of the industry though...

[ramen rider]

1 hour ago, hybrid said:

I don't quite understand that you can't find a job with 700 hours, I can think of at least 3 operators that can't find light/intermediate pilots right now. You might want to sharpen up that resume and make a few more calls. Maybe don't disclose you opinion of the industry though...

I applied to a dozen positions all over the country this season and got only two responses, and no interviews.

,...but yeah, maybe I should take "this industry sucks" off of my resume? :)