CdfMxTech From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 1338 posts, RR: 29 Posted (12 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 21 hours ago) and read 868 times:
With all the labor issues surrounding some of the major airlines, I have this question.
Aircraft Transport Pilot - very demanding job. Need to have basic knowledge of aircraft systems...not necessary to have in depth knowledge - as it wouldn't help to t/s at Fl350. They have to fly the thing. And with the FMC and an autopilot from after takeoff (400 feet) to the approach in (in most cases), there job is reduced alot of button pushing. They have several lives in their hands. They deserve alot of credit and compensation. and most of them do. Pilot salaries generally range from $90-$100 or more easily at most majors.
Aircraft Maintenance Technician - very demanding job. Responsible for any scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on air transport aircraft (dealing strictly with commercial aviation here for the most part). Need highly in depth systems knowledge when t/s (of course there are those who shotgun - but i wouldn't say the majority by any means. Required to work in extreme conditions at times. With one airworthiness signature they can hold several lives in their hands - now multiply that but the amount of Airworthinesses issued in a week. AMTs income is on average about half as much as a pilot.
Now finally to my question:
AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT SEES SOMETHING WRONG HERE??????
And yes I am an Aircraft Maintenance Technician with a major airlines who is currently not having any labor issues.
242 From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 498 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (12 years 5 months 2 weeks 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 850 times:
Half of a pilot's income? It's not even that. A top AMT can just barely earn one third of a top pilot's salary. How much is a highly skilled pilot worth when his aircraft won't move under it's own power?
Some more interesting info... The FAA currently has about 300,000 licenced A&P mechanics on file, yet only 120,000 are currently working in the industry. That pretty much sums up the sad state the industry is in when over half decide to work in another field.
There isn't really a shortage of AMT's, just a shortage of people who'll do this type of work for pitiful wages.
The burning question in my mind is who'll be maintaining these aircraft ten years from now? An estimated 15% will retire in the next five years. Almost no one new is entering, and the military is putting out a tiny fraction of mechs compared to what it used to. I'm the youngest person in my department, and I'm 32!
Airline management has made it clear that aircraft maintenance isn't a career anymore, it's just a job you do until you can train for something better. I'm currently enrolled in some IT certification courses right now. I hope to be out of this dreadful industry soon.
NKP S2 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1714 posts, RR: 6 Reply 2, posted (12 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 837 times:
Seems to be the way today doesn't it? Corporations bemoaning "shortages" of certain positions caused by said corporation's reluctance to compensate said positions commensurate with market demands. Not just AMT's either: IT employees, and over-the-road trucking to name a few. I guess the "free market" is only valid when the economy is slow.
NKP S2 From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 1714 posts, RR: 6 Reply 3, posted (12 years 5 months 2 weeks 1 day 22 hours ago) and read 834 times:
Seems to be the way today doesn't it? Corporations bemoaning "shortages" of certain positions caused by said corporation's reluctance to compensate said positions commensurate with market demands. Not just AMT's either: IT employees, and over-the-road trucking to name a few. I guess the "free market" is only valid when the economy is slow.
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From United States of America, joined Jul 2000, 1338 posts, 
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