Airline Pilot Jobs

Is a Pilot Job in Your Future?

Regional and discount airlines represent the majority of new hiring for airline pilot jobs today. New pilots should not expect to get his/her commercial license and get a job with Delta or United the next day. In the airline business, you'll need to "pay your dues" earning hours as a flight instructor, commercial pilot, or as a first officer on a small airline. Also, aspiring airline pilots should expect to fly less desirable routes, and schedules as they build their flight hours. Needless to say, after you've built up the hours required to get the job you really want, you will face strong competition from other pilots. Read more about airline pilot licenses.

Airline Pilot Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, airline pilot jobs are projected to increase 12% from 2008 to 2018. This growth will be primarily due to population growth worldwide and expanding economies causing increased demand for air travel. In order to keep up, airlines will have to offer more flights, buy more airliners, and hire more pilots. How much to airline pilots make? Learn more about airline pilot salaries.

Airline Pilot Careers

Opportunities with air cargo carriers also should arise because of increasing security requirements for shipping freight on passenger airlines, growth in electronic commerce, and increased demand for global freight. Business, commuter, corporate, and on-demand air taxi travel also should provide some new jobs for pilots. If you're interested in becoming a cargo pilot for one of the major carriers like FedEx or UPS, those jobs are expected to grow as well.

Finally, one reason all airlines must continually hire new pilots is the mandatory age 65 rule. Under U.S. law, airline pilots are only allowed to fly passengers up to age 65. This rule is also another reason to start now... you're not getting any younger! Find out more about airline pilot training.