The Outlook on Airline Industry Careers

Back in the year 2002, a young Leonardo DiCaprio starred alongside Tom Hanks in the film Catch Me If You Can. DiCaprio excelled in the role of Frank Abagnale, Jr., a 17-year-old kid who managed to fool people into believing that he was a lawyer, doctor and most notably, a co-pilot for the now ceased Pan Am World Airways. Based on a true story, DiCaprio’s character was a master forger who became the most famous bank robber in the history of the U.S. What makes the story interesting is that of all the professions he pretended to be, it was that of an airline pilot in which he held his claim to fame.

Aircraft pilots have always been viewed as one of the most respected professions due to the amount of responsibility and skill that comes with assuming control of an aircraft. Additionally, everyone associated with the industry holds a certain honor of being included in the fraternity, including aircraft dispatchers who make sure that all flights are on a safe path. There’s a certain esteem with being in the clouds and has been since the dawn of time when mankind has dreamt of flying with the birds. Over the next decade however, the career outlook for the airline industry is promising, with an increase in hiring of aircraft dispatchers and Opportunities for airline pilots, airline dispatchers, flight mechanics, and other occupations within the industry are expected to rise. Some of the occupations expected to see a bump in demand as well as pay scale include:

• Commercial Airline Pilots – In particular are now more than ever, heavily desired. In 2026, 30,000 pilots will reach the mandatory retirement age of 65, leaving the door open for a whole new generation of new pilots to man aircraft. Each commercial airline is looking to shore up its pilot personnel with new and current pilots from rival carriers immediately.

• Flight Attendants – Ever in demand, flight attendants are expected to see a growth in demand as the population grows in a growing economy. For the same reasons that airline pilots are in need, so are flight attendants and airlines are opening more and more training classes for aspiring flight attendants. People looking to break into the airline industry will find that becoming a flight attendant is one of the best ways to do so.

• Aircraft Dispatchers – Aircraft dispatchers, along with the plane’s pilot, have a responsibility to ensure the safety of the passengers on the flight and coordinate the plane’s path to arrive on schedule. As the population grows, aircraft dispatcher jobs will become more in demand to keep up with the flight travel increase.

• Flight Engineers – The outlook for Flight Engineers is an interesting one as industry experts suggest that most new aircraft only require a pilot and co-pilot, but not a flight engineer. The military however, still has a need for flight engineers. Additionally, flight engineers are valued for their flight experience and ability to read the instruments and tools found in planes. Because flight engineers possess the FAA licensures given to commercial pilots, they are expected to be turned to now and over the next 9 years to fortify the shortage of commercial pilots.

The career outlook for the airline industry is promising, especially for former military pilots and aircraft dispatchers from top FAA accredited schools like Sheffield.  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that there will be an increase in air traffic as the general population and economy gradually grows. As air traffic increases, so will job openings throughout the industry from top to bottom. The demand is there, however commercial airlines are heavily in need of individuals able to supply them with the right education, training and skill set.