The regional airlines and the aviation industry are taking a hit with pilot shortages. With some many factors effecting this problem, its been hard to come up with a solution that would solve every business's worries. Pilot shortages are threatening businesses and even small airports. We all know that a plane siting on the ground isn't making any money, and with so many open positions available, what seams to be the problem?
In 2007, congress raised the retirement age "Age 60 rule" (Age 65) from 60 to 65, laid out in The Fair Treatment for Experienced Pilots Act. This only effected Part 121 operations, leaving Part 91 and 135 carriers to wonder if they could or should do the same. In 2009, the FAA finalized the decision and set in place the new age for mandatory retirement of 65 years old for Part 121 operations.
After the Colgan 3407 Accident in 2009, the FAA made a huge decision to increase the minimum hours from 250 to 1,500 hours. With this extreme increase in flight hours required, it delayed the process for new pilots to get in while the extended age only delayed the fact that the industry was going to loose pilots and needed to find a way to get more people flying. In an article posted by Forbes, they discussed how, within the next 3 years, 18,000 pilots will be retiring out of the industry.
The chart below shows the decrease in Private, commercial and ATP certificates being issued since 1990.
(RAA)
Pay increase may be a small solution to the problem, but definitely wont draw in the crowd that companies need. When I first started for my Private pilot, I was more focused on how I was going to not be drowning in debt before I even graduated. Yes, I was looking in to where I wanted to work, but scholarships where a faster way to pay off that bill right now, then planning on my salary to do so in the future. Companies, since 2009, have changed in a major way, offering more reporting systems for safety violations and reports. However, a problem I feel still lingers to this day is that, we here stories of safety violations being swept under the rug by the same people who preach safety to their employees. Or even people being fired for bringing something to their superiors attention. When I look for a place to work, I want to make sure that my voice can be heard and that making more money wasn't the only thing driving the business forward.
One of the few ways that I know of to gain more hours while still young is to become a flight instructor. Now like other people, I was kinda afraid of that option. Luckily for me, I switched over to the management side of aviation so I never had to figure out how truly scary it could be at times. However, I feel like one solution to the lack of pilots would be to offer ways for people to fly for hire, build up hours and have some type of loyalty to that company to fly for when they meet the minimum flight hours needed.
The 1,500 hour requirement was a major change that came from the Colgan accident. This increased requirement was like adding a pice of sharp cheddar to the swiss cheese model. It focused solely on aviation safety and wasn't driven by increasing revenue for the companies. Thats not to say it couldn't have its potential safety risks. Cheese does get moldy after time. But since the Colgan accident in 2009, we haven't had a major regional airline crash. I feel that this shouldn't be changed, or maybe only lowered a small amount. This not only made the industry more safe, but it also reminded the public that companies did care about safety and not just making money.
Professionalism
The definition to me would be; Being able to complete the tasks at hand to an appropriate manner that is required of you. Doing so with the upmost respect for those around you (customers, employers, coworkers, etc.) and having/ using a level of knowledge for the task(s) that meets or surpasses expectations.
Colgan, as shown in the documentary "Flying Cheap" showed many forms of unprofessional behavior and actions. The pilots of the flight showed signs of unprofessional behavior with their actions when they reacted incorrectly to the stick shaker and to the stall of the aircraft. However, many reason why the crash even occurred came from the level of unprofessionalism from the the people in charge of the company. In the documentary, Roger Cohen, president of regional Airline Association showed lack of professionalism when he made comments towards to cost of hotel rooms and how "affordable" they where to the pilots. The places he was referring to where in such areas that would be cheap, run down, or even dangerous to continuously stay and operate out of just so that they could make money for and from their company. The first year pilot pay and the compensation structure set up leaves a lot of decision on the pilots to act in professional manners. For most people just starting off, they may be relaying heavily on the small amount of income to support themselves and or their families. When low on cash, its proven that people will cut corners just so that they can make it through to the next day. Many pilots may take up a position where their based out of an airport in a different state because it would be cheaper to commute then it would be to live near the airport. This leaves pilots to commute long distances and also make decisions that wouldn't be up to a professional manner.
If a first year pilot, or even one that has been with the company for a while, only made money if they took off and landed at the airport that they where told, then more then likely they would make decisions that lean more towards making money and less towards the safety of the flight. Newer pilots are subjected to less experience and less pay, and when it comes down to it, the professional action may cost them the money they needed to support their families.
Two ways that I plan on expanding my professionalism once I'm working towards my career would be to, treat others with the respect they have earned but also what they deserve. Just because someone may be newer to the company or have less experience, does not mean they don't know better then you. Those people could be holding the key to you're successes and by allowing everyone to be the best they can, they might just be able to do that. Secondly, just because you can meet the standards that have been set, doesn't mean that your acting safely. When given a task or a knowledge, I want to strive to be proficient, and when that happens, offer help to others who also want the same thing. To make everyone the better selves they can be and know that we can all be professional together.
Age 65. Retrived January 20, 2018, from https://www.nbaa.org/admin/personnel/age-65/
Small Airports Could Soon Be Doomed Thanks to America's Growing Pilot Shortage.
Retrieved January 20, 2018, from http://fortune.com/2017/10/16/pilot-shortage-airports-tickets-flights/
RAA. Pilot Workforce and Training Update August 2017. Retrieved from http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.raa.org/resource/resmgr/docs/August_17_RAA_Pilot_Workforc.pdf?hhSearchTerms=%22pilot+and+shortages%22
Nick,
ReplyDeleteNice article! I agree that paying for flight training on top of going to school itself can become a huge burden for anyone that is in the flight program. Some people have to take out loans and end up being in debt for a long time until they're about a Captain in the regionals or even landed a job at one of the majors. Its not a pleasant thought to be thinking when you as a flight major come into this program to fly. It's all about making your dues. I also agree with you on expanding your professionalism as a person. I also treat others with the same respect I would expect to get because in this industry its a small world. You never really know who knows who and it can really affect your chances of getting hired. As long as you stay positive, give respect and listen to people when a problem occurs then you will be given that respect back.