Yes, Yes and Yes.

I understand the industry is in an upheaval right now.  Airlines are still going out of business or merging with other airlines.  Jobs are disappearing.  Pay is coming down.

It is this way in every industry around the country right now, so take refuge in knowing everyone is wondering the same thing.

Being a professional pilot is about more than just the job it is about doing what you love and having the greatest job one earth.  The views are great and your job can not be outsourced.  For the foreseeable future two pilots will still need to show up and fly the plane.

This type of change has always been a part of professional aviation.  Look back to 1990 and see the top 10 airlines, almost all of them are gone, either out of business or merged  with another airline.  Yet piloting continues to grow, and still offers a great career.

In fact this downturn may be an opportunity in disguise.  It can make it easier for you to grow aviation as a career.  This is because of two main reasons.

First many  pilots will simply leave the profession.  Older pilots will retire early.  The younger pilots not fully committed to this career with find other paths and move on.  Either way there will be fewer professional pilots around looking for work at the end of this year than at the beginning.

Second, with money tight and prospects low fewer people will start the path to becoming a professional pilot.

When you combine these two together you end with a lot less professional pilots looking for the same number or more jobs.  This will make it easier to get your first job and to move up the career ladder.

This is a great time to start and become a professional pilot.

Warren Buffet one of the greatest investors of all time has made his money by doing the opposite of  what the majority is doing.  When they ran from a stock he would go in and buy it up.  When everyone can back a couple years later they would find him sitting atop the stock with the money.

You can do the same with flying.  Continue down the path to becoming a professional pilot.  The economy will turn around and so will the airline industry.  The riches will go to those who were willing to be waiting, ready to go, when it happens.

Tagged as: pilot career, professional pilot