General Business
Accountants, Marketing, Computer Technicians, Customer Service, Managers, etc.
Aviation Specific
Pilots & Flight Engineers
Mechanics - Airframe, Powerplant & Electronics
Flight Attendants
Dispatchers
Ticket Agents, Reservations, etc.
Ground & Baggage Handlers
Air Traffic Controllers
Pilots & Flight Engineers
Major Airlines
Regional Airlines
Corporate
Charter
Flight Instruction
Aerial Application & Forest Fire Fighters (PA)
Patrols - Gas Pipeline, Border, Fire, Power line Inspections, banner towing
Traffic Reporting - Media & Law Enforcement
Cargo - FedEx, UPS, etc.
Remote Area Servicing - Bush
FAA Inspectors
Aviation Employment
Cyclical - Depends on the economy
Highly Competitive for high paying jobs
Essential services most secure - Alaska
Airline Pilots - Major
Few Military Pilots - 11 years enlistment, large re-enlistment bonus
Some airlines don't want military pilots
100 flight hours/month max., generally 72-75, 1,000 flight hours/year max.
Salaries - $30,000 to $250,000+ - Median $110,940
Four years College +$40,000 flight training
Mandatory retirement age 60 in US
Good (?) retirement and full benefits
Cheap or Free travel (standby)
"See the World"
Dress code; Beards not permitted (safety hazard)
Airline Pilots - Regional
About the only way to get the experience required by the major airlines
Salaries - $15,000 - $90,000
Two/Four years College +$40,000 flight training
Many require payment of Initial Training ($10,000+)
Mandatory retirement age 60 in US
Benefits - depends on the airline
Cheap or Free travel (standby)
"See the World"
Corporate & Charter
Corporate - Usually good pay and benefits (no travel benefits)
Charter - Often low pay with no benefits. Used to gain experience for the Regional Airlines
Flight Attendants
Major - Salaries, starting $14,847, $18,090 to $83,630 - Median $38,820
Good (?) retirement and full benefits
Cheap or Free travel (standby)
"See the World"
Regional - $14,000 to $24,000
Benefits and travel vary
Flight Instructors - up to $30,000, maybe $20,000 in north
Aerial Applicators & Bush
Usually self employed
Aviation Mechanics
Work mostly nights at major airlines, often outdoors
Repairs & Preventative maintenance
Stress to meet deadlines
$24,000 to $54,000+ - Majors vs. regional vs. General Aviation
Avionics technicians - About $2,000 more
Air Traffic Controllers
High Pay, Good Benefits, Retire at 50 & Mand. 56
Very few openings
College not required and not a guarantee of success.
Four year College working as an intern with FAA controllers is the only practical route.
COPYRIGHT © 2004 Bob & Betty Hales