Hiring in 2008?

[Flyinghigh09]

It seems the regionals are hiring less pilots compared to the high numbers in 2007. Considering the econony, high oil prices, etc...will 2008 be a slower year?

[Sprint100]

I'd say yes, but only on 12-31-08 will we truly know if it was a slow year

[coa787]

Soon they'll start bringing the minimums up again...

[Flyinghigh09]

For those of us who are considering the regionals and meet minimum requirments jump on board now or build up a few more hours and go to a regional with better QOL?

My first reaction is to jump on board now if hiring is slowing down?

[OldTownPilot]

And then you will be stuck at some crap regional........

As for 2008, I'll tell you in 353 days

[n57flyguy]

Originally Posted by coa787

Soon they'll start bringing the minimums up again...

Based on what?

[Milesar]

Get a college degree.

Oh wait... wrong thread

[Sprint100]

Originally Posted by Milesar

Get a college degree.

Oh wait... wrong thread

Now that was funny!!!

[Ducky]

Originally Posted by Flyinghigh09

For those of us who are considering the regionals and meet minimum requirments jump on board now or build up a few more hours and go to a regional with better QOL?

My first reaction is to jump on board now if hiring is slowing down?

umm im a newbie..what is QOL?

[Nick]

Originally Posted by Ducky

umm im a newbie..what is QOL?

Quality of life.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Flyinghigh09

For those of us who are considering the regionals and meet minimum requirments jump on board now or build up a few more hours and go to a regional with better QOL?

My first reaction is to jump on board now if hiring is slowing down?

if you have the hours, then there is your answer.

Originally Posted by Ducky

umm im a newbie..what is QOL?

Quality of Life.....

[Gulfstream IV]

Typically, most publically traded companies wait until their earnings statements for 2007 are released before they can make major hiring decisions. At least that is how it is in the corporate world. If earnings were up most companies will continue to hire, if they were down, they will probably downsize to keep the shareholders happy. I know that fuel, supply and demand has a lot of effect on hiring, but if you enjoy looking at financials- take a look at those of the regionals and you'll get a sense of their earnings for 2007.

[coa787]

Originally Posted by n57flyguy

Based on what?

Based on the eventuality that hiring will return to normal. I mean, people are getting hired with what, 600TT/100ME, 300TT/40ME, 500TT/50ME? Five years ago, if you had these hours and tried applying to a regional, your resume would probably get laughed right into the trash can.

[Pilot84]

Ahh S*^&t, I knew this would happen just as I would be getting ready to send out resumes. What happened to all the talk about "the regionals will be hiring for a long time to come.."?

[Velocipede]

Originally Posted by Pilot84

Ahh S*^&t, I knew this would happen just as I would be getting ready to send out resumes. What happened to all the talk about "the regionals will be hiring for a long time to come.."?

Hiring/upgrade forecasts are just that...forecasts. And they're valid about as long as weather forecasts...about 3 hours.

[Kingairer]

Regionals are shrinking or at least stopping the major growth. However there was/is more attrition to the majors. Alot of guys from RAH are now going to NW. With the age 65 thing/consolidation i think major hiring will level off. Find a comfy seat i guess.

[tprops4me]

Originally Posted by Flyinghigh09

For those of us who are considering the regionals and meet minimum requirments jump on board now or build up a few more hours and go to a regional with better QOL?

My first reaction is to jump on board now if hiring is slowing down?

Being stuck at the bottom of a seniority list does not sound to good to me. You could be stuck on reserve for a long time. If you don't hav a CFI get one. This is the kind of situation where a crj couse and no cfi can bite you in the a##.

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by Flyinghigh09

For those of us who are considering the regionals and meet minimum requirments jump on board now or build up a few more hours and go to a regional with better QOL?

My first reaction is to jump on board now if hiring is slowing down?

Well, if it's your goal then you have to make the call.

My personal stance on things is that the more experience you have the more choices you have which means you dont have to jump at the first thing that's offered.

[ChrisH]

I think minimums will stay in the 600-800TT range, even if hiring slows, simply because higher time pilots are forgoing the regionals, and pursuing other options. I think this is all that the regionals can get to apply. It is for that reason, that having more time, and experience, will allow you to better choose the best option for you, rather than just settle for a job. I am no analyst, but I would expect things to pick up again, in the latter half of '08. I think much, however, will depend on mergers.

[Flyinghigh09]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

I think minimums will stay in the 600-800TT range, even if hiring slows, simply because higher time pilots are forgoing the regionals, and pursuing other options. I think this is all that the regionals can get to apply. It is for that reason, that having more time, and experience, will allow you to better choose the best option for you, rather than just settle for a job. I am no analyst, but I would expect things to pick up again, in the latter half of '08. I think much, however, will depend on mergers.

I agree with ChrisH. The minimums may go up somewhat but not dramatically.

Thanks guys for all the input and opinions!

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by Flyinghigh09

It seems the regionals are hiring less pilots compared to the high numbers in 2007. Considering the econony, high oil prices, etc...will 2008 be a slower year?

No way to tell until probably mid-2008!

[jtrain609]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

I think minimums will stay in the 600-800TT range, even if hiring slows, simply because higher time pilots are forgoing the regionals, and pursuing other options. I think this is all that the regionals can get to apply. It is for that reason, that having more time, and experience, will allow you to better choose the best option for you, rather than just settle for a job. I am no analyst, but I would expect things to pick up again, in the latter half of '08. I think much, however, will depend on mergers.

I'm not sure I can fully agree with this.

There are a lot of freight pilots out there (more than most friend pilots would admit, and truthfully probably nobody from these forums) that end up holding out for jobs at places like Amflight, Airnet, FLX or whatever other 135 company because they screwed up all their regional interviews and/or they have DUI's or something else in their record that would preclude them from working at a part 121 regional.

At least that's my perspective from working at a freight company for 9 months.

[Sprint100]

I thought about it and if hiring does slow down or the mins go back up then I'd see it as people who truly love flying will stick it out thus making the industry a little better.

P.S. - Don't relate this to I hate the low timer, but what I do hate is the guy that just jumps in for the so-called "status/stigma" and never thought about flying a year prior.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Sprint100

I thought about it and if hiring does slow down or the mins go back up then I'd see it as people who truly love flying will stick it out thus making the industry a little better.

P.S. - Don't relate this to I hate the low timer, but what I do hate is the guy that just jumps in for the so-called "status/stigma" and never thought about flying a year prior.

I agree. There are already people forgoing the career, simply because of what has happened to it, since 9/11. I think if barriers to entry increase, i.e., higher minimums, and pay stays the same, we will see less people trying to get into the career.

For those who truly love to fly, and stick it out, that will be a positive thing. I might be overly optimistic, but I think we are on the brink of seeing some positive things, with contract negotiations coming up for all of the legacies, and many regionals. I doubt we will see all of the pre 911 bennies, at once, but it will be a step toward the right direction.

[scramjet]

I hope the CFI market stays the way it is (pay going up), because I really don't want to fly for the regionals, unless the FO pay goes up. As a wiseguy, er excuse me, wise man once told me on here, "never say never," but I just don't see myself going to the regionals, I hope to be going for part 135 and I need real time for that.