Pilot Shortage and Professionalism

        There is a major problem occurring in the aviation industry and it is in regards to the decreasing amount of pilots entering the regionals. However, is is argued that there are two possible reasons to blame for this numerical jump. The first reason is that there really is a pilot shortage and the number of retirees well exceeds the number of incoming pilots. And the second reason is the rate of pay, or lack thereof, is causing people to fly elsewhere, if they even continue to get into the industry. I feel that both of these factors go hand in hand, the lack of pay is a cause of the pilot shortage and overall money in general.
        According to a study by the Univesity of North Dakota's Aviation Department, the pilot shortage will increase to 15000 by 2026 as the current captains reach the mandatory retirement age and fewer people are coming into the industry. Like I said before, this decrease in incoming pilots is due to monetary issues. The overall cost of the flight training and certification which can be up to $16,000 just for a private pilot license, the low pay at the regionals as was said before and the increase in required hours needed to become a first officer installed after the Colgan Air accident. Airlines are attempting to counteract these issues by changing hiring requirements, increasing signing bonuses and partnering with flight schools and university flight programs. (Bloomberg, n.d.)
        As for the hiring pool for the regionals,they are concerned because the majors are pulling pilots to work for them without having a high enough number of incoming pilots to keep a balance. The number of hours needed is hard to achieve. I feel it would be beneficial to allow student hours but also if the regionals offer a scholarship or financial aid to students while in school with the promise to work for them after getting their degrees.
        While ALPA represents the pilots, am organization that represents other aspects of the industry would be AAAE, American Association of Airport Executives. (Laws, n.d.) Founded in 1928, it is the worlds professional organization for airport executives, representing thousands of airport management personnel at public-use commercial and general aviation airports.
        Professionalism to me is acting or behaving to the highest standards and making sure things are done in a correct and timely manner. One lack of professionalism in the movie Flying Cheap would be that the captain of a flight falsified a record so that his aircraft would not be overweight and did not have to do any extra work or waiting while fixing the overload. Also that when it was brought into the court system, the DOA backed that captain instead of the first officer who noticed they were overweight and wanted to be professionally correct. Another example would be that the first officer of the Colgan Air flight was sick, stated that she was sick to the captain, yet they both went along with the flight, 
        I do feel that first year pilot pay is a contributing factor in the lack of professionalism. As I just said before, that first officer and captain went up in unsafe conditions. They are paid from the time the door shuts to the time they open. Their need for money to pay off all their loans from getting to where they are while still maintaining an average life is so great and they are not given substantial opportunity, They will do whatever it takes to get that paycheck and unfortunately that means following unsafe procedures.   
        I plan to be professional myself in my current and future jobs by maintaining safety at all times, it is the highest of importance. Along with making sure i keep my books up to record and following all procedures to a t.





Shrinking Pool of Future Pilots Keeps Major Airlines on Edge. (n.d.). Retrieved September 29, 2016, from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-06-29/shrinking-pool-of-future-pilots-keeps-major-airlines-on-edge

 Laws, B. (n.d.). About AAAE. Retrieved September 30, 2016, from http://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMBR/About_AAAE/AAAEMemberResponsive/About_AAAE/About_AAAE.aspx?hkey=17fa23bc-bfe6-4589-9c8b-c362c1e7c303 

Introduction

Hello!

        My interest in aviation began when I was just a child. I have always been that person to hear an airplane and stop whatever I am doing to look up and search the sky. My parents took me to almost every airshow at the Selfridge Air Base and one of my major influences was when my uncle, who served as a US Marine, took us to go see Marine One. So here i am, 10+ years later as an aviation flight technology major. When i first started out here, my expected graduation date was 2016. However, I am kind of poor so I am really hoping to be done after this next year and a half. 
        I originally wanted to join the Marines, be like my uncle, but due to the current political standings, I have decided to start looking at some other options, though nothing is set in stone. I suppose if I decide not to enlist, flying cargo would be my next option. I have heard good things about flying for UPS or FEDEX and I think that if my plane were to ever crash, I would be like Tom Hanks. Have a volleyball be my only companion and I would make back and hand deliver that last package. 
        In terms of the guest speakers, I think it would be interesting to see a military pilot and hear about their career and life. Also someone from the cargo industry. I feel like this could help me further decide my career choice.