Despite a tough economy, airline pilot jobs rose in 2008, compared to 2007, according to the Labor Department's Bureau of Transportation Statistics. U.S. scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.3 percent more pilots in 2008. The major airlines added 1.1 percent to the pilot ranks, while all the low-cost carriers except for Frontier Airlines added new pilots.
Business aviation slump may be over
The recent steep decline of business aviation activity and business aircraft sales may be coming to an end, according to a number of recent industry reports. Brian Foley Associates, a business aviation consulting group, said that although some future bad news is expected, businesses such as charter firms and FBOs have seen some encouraging results lately. "The business jet industry is no longer careening off a cliff, it's just bouncing off the rocks below," principal Brian Foley said.
Southwest pilots strike down contract
In a recent vote, members of the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association struck down a new contract proposal with the low-cost carrier. The final vote was nearly 51 percent against the contract, with more than 95 percent of pilots participating. According to union leadership, the proposed contract included pay increases, but also many concessions.
Career-related news is updated weekly on AOPA Online.
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