Young professionals, graduates, and experienced workers looking to break into the airline industry may have the misconception that there is one sure-fire way of getting their dream job. Unlike other jobs where there is a clear path from university to employment, the airline industry hires a number of professionals from a variety of different backgrounds. Airline professionals throughout the United Kingdom and Europe come from an interesting array of other fields, including the armed forces, charter flights, package delivery services, and helicopter companies.
Perhaps the most popular path to the airline industry is through the armed forces. Whether it is the Royal Air Force (RAF) or another European military body, mechanics and pilots alike often get their start in the armed forces. Aside from the aspects of service to one's country, many young professionals enter the air force in order to gain technical skills while earning a decent wage. Airline hiring managers and executives look often to the armed forces for new personnel because they require little training and have the discipline to succeed in a tightly regimented industry.
Another path to the airline industry comes from small charter companies and regional flight services throughout the world. The reason why airline pilots and maintenance personnel often come from these types of companies is that it is a small step from charter licensing to airline licensing. Instead of hiring a young pilot who needs to ascend the licensing ladder in order to fly scheduled flights, a charter pilot already has a record with government agencies and has fewer barriers to airline licensing. As well, charter pilots and mechanics are familiar with the problems common in air flight and have a better learning curve than inexperienced personnel.
There are a variety of different experiences outside of these traditional paths that are shared by airline personnel. Package delivery services, like FedEx and UPS, now utilize international flights and regional carriers to help facilitate overseas delivery. Delivery pilots, mechanics, and other personnel are familiar with the flight controls of cargo and passenger planes. Airline companies can plug in these types of professionals when needed and not miss a beat. Helicopter pilots and other personnel with helicopter companies may not have experience with airliners but their hours of experience in the air and knowledge of flight make it an easy transition into the airline industry. Young professionals and students interested in airline careers should consider these various points of entry before committing to this career path.
For flight professionals and the general public alike, one of the most recognized parts of the airline industry is the strong union presence among its professionals. Major international and national airlines have been unionized for decades in order to protect flight professionals from excessive pay and benefit cuts meant to secure the bottom line. However, unions have been considered a mixed blessing by the media, the public, and airline executives. Striking flight attendants, pilots, and flight technicians sometimes hold up flights, drawing ire from customers. As well, airline executives by and large feel that unions ask too much from airlines when many companies are struggling to stay afloat financially. There are pros and cons to the union process for professionals, though it still benefits them to this day.
It is important to start with the negatives of unionization in the airline industry before speaking of its virtues. The decline of labor unions in the United States and North American countries has made the airline union appear like it is fighting a losing battle with public opinion. As well, the benefits of comradery amongst union members have been weakened by increasing competition for jobs in the airline industry. While the union advocates hard for workers and businesses have obliged in the past, many airline executives would rather concede optional health care plans and other benefits than give up the big paydays that unions often push for. Finally, the aforementioned problem of strikes among airline unions can often make flight professionals look selfish and unsympathetic.
However, the public should realize that unions have helped keep flights in the air for years by averting greater labor strife. Indeed, the airline unions are one of the last places in the American labor landscape where successful negotiations are still a common occurrence. Airline professional unions offer flight crews, pilots, and attendants an opportunity to develop relationships with colleagues in other companies while working toward competitive salaries. As well, companies and the public should look at how the union's bargaining power not only benefits flight professionals but the overall business.
Unions are able to negotiate group health benefits for their members, which helps the company save on providing more expensive health options. The union-business relationship is not one sided and while unions push for higher wages, the compromise wages that are established in negotiations help keep experienced professionals in the industry. The unionization of airline workers benefits everyone involved but flight professionals need to be aware of these different pros and cons to gain a fuller picture.
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Wynnwith has sinced written about articles on various topics from Self Improvement and Motivation, Personal Desktop and Internet Marketing. Wynnwith Flight Crew are specialists in with a particular focus on airline pilot jobs,. Wynnwith's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.
Sara Evans has sinced written about articles on various topics from Employment, Airline Credit Cards and Employment. Sara Evans is the Managing Director of wynnwith aviation support, the leader provider of .. Sara Evans's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.