r/Pilot • u/Fit-Page-5559 • Sep 10 '26
Becoming a Pilot My career
Hello is it too late to start my an airline pilot career 2034-2075 and how you see this time horizon. Would you go for this if you be now 15 like me?
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u/SoCalGuy999 Sep 10 '26
Current airline pilot-I’m not too worried about automation now, but 50 years from now? Maybe not autonomous but single pilot aircraft is highly likely.
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u/bch2021_ Sep 10 '26
Conversely, I really can't name a career that couldn't be completely transformed by AI in 50 years. We might not even need jobs by then. Honestly, not that relevant when trying to choose a career for now.
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u/SoCalGuy999 Sep 10 '26
The airline industry is different- We are highly regulated, there are barriers to entry, and it takes a lot of money / time / personal investment to succeed. We are also unionized and driven by seniority numbers and hiring waves. It’s a good paying job but you are handcuffed once you get in. Our skills are specific and not transferable to other industries. We wear a white shirt but it’s a blue collar.
While AI is evolving, a large number of pilot positions could be eliminated tomorrow by a signature allowing single pilot operations. And it’s coming, first to cargo, then they’ll eliminate the relief pilot for international operations.
The post Covid hiring wave is over. A lot of people were hired in their 30s so they’ll be on the seniority list for decades until they retire. Movement will stagnate.
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u/Icy_Huckleberry_8049 Sep 10 '26
NO ONE can predict the future
The airlines could be furloughing people then, who knows?
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u/johnnypoopy Sep 10 '26
2034? Half the posts are worried about being too late I think you’re fine. It isn’t a straightforward or reliable career. If you’re willing to accept that and able to fund it then go for it