Professionalism, and the Regional Airline Industry

            The regional airline industry is currently in a state of chaos. This is very evident by all the changes we have been able to very clearly observe and identify. The hot topic surrounding this chaos, currently, is the subject of the current pilot shortage. The signs of this shortage are seen through the incredible signing bonuses, and the first year wages, for regional pilots, raising significantly. These signs are being interpreted differently, and the answer may be different based upon who you may ask. There are two main opinions shared. The opinions stated are the following:

1.      There is a pilot shortage, and this shortage is due to the projected retirements of pilots, and the underwhelming number of pilots entering the industry.

2.      There is no pilot shortage. There are plenty of certified pilots, but due to low wages, pilots are unwilling to fly in the United States.

It is difficult to say whether one or the other opinion is wrong. Both beliefs are based upon fact, and have proper evidence to back it up. The belief that there is indeed a pilot shortage, is one that is shared by many, especially those entering the industry currently, or in the next few years. In an article written by Mary Schlangenstein and Michael Sasso, it is stated that the, “looming pilot deficit will soar to 15,000 by 2026, according to a study by the University of North Dakota’s Aviation Department.” (Sasso, Schlangenstein, 2016). This is what is leading to the incredible signing bonuses, and increases in wages that I mentioned earlier. There wouldn’t be as much of an issue with the mass retirement of pilots turning 65, if there was a consistent flow of young pilots entering the industry. In the same article, they believe that the, “top three reasons would-be pilots are changing their career plans are the cost of flight training and certification, low pay at regional carriers and a 2013 regulatory change that mandated a sixfold increase in flight hours required to become a first officer.” (Sasso, Schlangenstein, 2016) The airlines are doing their best to sweeten the pot, hence the raised wages.

            The other opinion shared, is the stance stating there is no pilot shortage at all. This belief does have evidence supporting it, but as wages at the regional airlines increase, it is becoming less and less relevant. The president of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), Tim Canoll, was recorded saying that, “any changes that may occur to smaller community air service are the result of airline business decisions, not pilot availability.” (ALPA, 2015). This statement supports the ALPA belief that the pilot shortage is an attempt for airlines to reduce the qualification and pilot training minimums. The airlines want to make money, and if the qualification minimums were changed, this would be easier for them to accomplish.

            Based upon the evidence stated above, I tend to favor the idea that there is, indeed, a pilot shortage. It is truly difficult for a young student attempting to emerge in the industry, to do so without exceptionally large amounts of financial assistance. The result of how expensive training is, is that the dream of becoming a professional pilot is not as feasible of an option anymore. With less and less people entering the industry, and a large amount leaving, naturally you will have a shortage of pilots.

            The regional airlines have good reason to be concerned with the hiring pool in the coming years. This is from what was previously stated about the new regulations on the minimum hour requirements for pilot training, and to be qualified to fly for a part 121 carrier. This is what is leading to the solution that all the regionals are coming to. The solution is raising wage. By doing this, they are providing more incentive for their prospective pilots. It is a little more difficult for the aspiring pilot to find a solution to the new regulations. The clearest possible solution is to be trained at an established part 141 flight training center, and receive the 500 hour exemption from the minim hour requirement. They should do their research to assure the school isn’t advertising as 141 approved much earlier than they actually are.

            Just as ALPA represents many of the regional airline pilots, there are organizations who represent other portions of the aviation industry. A couple of these organizations are The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). GAMA’s role is to represent aviation manufacturers. They state that their purpose is, “to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests and activities of general aviation.” (“About GAMA”, no date.) The American Association of Airport Executives is the largest organization in the world representing Airport management officials. “AAAE's members represent some 850 airports and hundreds of companies and organizations that support airports.” (About AAAE, no date)

            Professionalism is, and should be very important in the aviation industry. By watching the documentary “Flying Cheap” we could see a lack of professionalism, and the result was a huge hit on the aviation industry. First, when discussing the topic of professionalism, there must be a definition of what professionalism is. I would define professionalism as the ability to act and present yourself in a way that proves absolute competency of your skills.

In the case of the Colgan accident, which was highlighted in “Flying Cheap,” there was a clear lack of professionalism presented. One example is the first officer taking her flight, knowing that she was sick. Using my definition of professionalism, it is hard to prove the competency of her skill when she is clearly sick, which leads to fatigue, which she was facing anyway, due to her long commute to her departing flight. This lack of professionalism fits in with the lack of professionalism shown by the airline. The low wages that the airline was paying the first officer, was her motivation to get on the very flight that crashed. If the airline was demonstrating professionalism, they would be paying their pilots a wage they can live on.

As I just stated above, the pilot pay is a direct reasoning for the poor professionalism shown in the documentary. These pilots did not have the option to miss a flight, no matter how they felt. If a pilot commutes across the country, just to miss their flight, they are pretty screwed, hence the determination to fly, no matter how you feel.

In order to maintain the level of professionalism required of a professional pilot, I think I would always look for the shortcomings of others around me. By taking notice of where other pilots around me are falling short, it will be easier to avoid the same mistakes. Additionally, by reminding myself that the people I am flying are relying on me to get them from point A to point B, it will be easy to behave professionally.  It is important to not make mistakes when lives are quite literally at stake.

References:

AAAE. (no date). About aaae. Retrieved from http://www.aaae.org/aaae/AAAEMBR/About_AAAE/AAAEMemberResponsive/About_AAAE/About_AAAE.aspx?hkey=17fa23bc-bfe6-4589-9c8b-c362c1e7c303

ALPA. (2015). No excuses: keep u.s. airline pilot qualifications strong. Retrieved from  http://www.alpa.org/advocacy/pilot-pay-shortage

GAMA. (no date). About gama. Retrieved from https://www.gama.aero/about-us

Schlangenstein, M., Sasso, M. (2016, June 30) Even as pilot pay increases, u.s. airlines fear pilot shortage. Retrieved from https://skift.com/2016/06/30/even-as-pilot-pay-increases-u-s-airlines-fear-pilot-shortage/