Worried About The Future, Flight Cadet? Analysts Say... Don't

Pilot recruitment on the part of the airlines was better last year than in 2003 -- but still not great. But take heart. At least some of the people who watch the people who hire people in this business say things are looking up.

"We were setting all-time highs and all-time records a couple of years back, but then 9/11 happened and the industry started having problems," said UAL Captain Kit Darby in an interview with the Chicago Tribune. Darby also runs Aviation Information Resources. "But recovery from all that has bottomed out and now we are back on the increase."

Darby, like most of the industry, sees the numbers for what they are (see graphic). After a robust 2000, 9/11, SARS and a world recession pushed down hiring figures in the airline industry. Since 2002, however, the industry has started to recover -- a recovery Darby projects will continue this year.

"Even though times aren't best right now, the job market is good right now," Darby told the Tribune. "The best the commercials are doing in a year is about 1,000 hirings. In a peak year, it was 5,000."

But Be A Pilot Foundation President and CEO Drew Steketee says, if you're thinking about getting into the aviation business, don't focus solely on the airlines.

"There are more opportunities out there than an airline," he said. "There have been lots of ups and downs, but there has been hiring in 2004. There are jobs out there."

FMI: www.beapilot.com