Aircraft Maintenance Careers
Our annual Maximizing your Career Choice issue is just around the corner. The August issue, which we are already working on, will provide tips on getting the most out of a career in aircraft maintenance.
Working on this issue always gets me thinking about careers in aircraft maintenance even more than I normally do. On a personal level, aircraft maintenance has been good to me. I have had the opportunity to work for some good companies and have had ample career advancement opportunities along the way.
But I don’t pretend it is that way everywhere. These are some tough times for some areas of aircraft maintenance — namely at the airlines. Aircraft maintenance professionals there have gone through a tough six years of job cuts, wage concessions, and increased stress. Many have left the industry for good, tired of the cyclic economic swings in the industry. It seems to be feast or famine, and many are tired of the long stretches of famine. To be honest, it may be a long time, until there is another feast. It looks like a long-term crash diet is the trend. Even though many airlines have soared back to profitability and exited bankruptcy, they seem hesitant to give back to the employees who agreed to pay reductions and job cuts during the tough times.
At the same time, other areas of the industry are growing. If you look at general aviation, repair stations, and corporate flight departments, the buzzword seems to be “shortage.” Managers at these facilities will tell you that they are having a hard time finding qualified mechanics and avionics technicians to fill job openings. This shortage has led to higher wage and incentive packages in order to attract the quality workers they are looking for.
So how has the recent economic cycle affected you? Do you feel there is a good opportunity for growth and advancement in your company, or in aircraft maintenance in general?
Thanks for reading!
Joe Escobar
“Managers at these facilities will tell you that they are having a hard time finding qualified mechanics and avionics technicians to fill job openings.”
They’ve been saying that for years. What they should say is that they can’t get folks with the exact skill set they need at the pay and benefit level they want.
Ask those managers where they recruit!
“This shortage has led to higher wage and incentive packages in order to attract the quality workers they are looking for.”
I’m speechless!
The only shortage is wages and incentive packages. There are many A&P Avionic Aircraft Mechanics in the airline industry that are looking for stable work.
Danny, you are right. There are many displaced avionics and mechanics in the airline industry looking for work. And the jobs that are out there may not be a good fit, whether it is because of lower wages for entry-level positions, relocation expenses, the companies wanting type-experience on aircraft other than heavy jets, or other reasons. Let’s face it, the airlines used to be THE place to work if you were a mechanic. Things have surely changed.
Gary, I am hearing from many repair stations that they are having to do things to attract mechanics to work for them. There are jobs out there, and with fewer mechanics entering the field (maybe because some of us in the industry tell them to “stay out”) the trend should continue to where it becomes more of a job seekers market. But it also depends on geographical location and market conditions in that area.
Thanks for the feedback. Joe
Things are “full throttle” here at my corporate flight department. I am fortunate enough to work for a person who loves his airplanes and continues to spend money on upgrading them. I feel extremely fortunate to have left the airlines 20 years ago for corporate and GA. Of course my current job is only as good as the owner is alive so there is a risk.
i have worked fro 3 airlines, National, pan am and now at united. I now work the counter, as in ticketing, because this airline like most feel that contracting out the work on the aircraft is the way to go. no need to fix things during the day. only if it is a no go item. the simple creature comforts dont need fixing till the aircraft stays over night somewhere and that is only if that station has parts. I saw the duct tape at pan am and am now seeing it at ual. i know i would not let my kid work as a tech. If you want an airline job, the pilots and flight atendents are the only things left for the future.
I completed A&P school back in May of 2004, I have worked for three companies since I then. I entered this industry thinking that I could make a decent living, and with a lot of enthusiasm. I’ve worked contract maintenance on heavy aircraft and I’ve worked for two regional airlines. With one of them I was furloughed due to cut backs. I enjoy working with aircraft, I feel good with the quality of work that I’ve done. I am satisfied when that aircraft leaves the hangar, I sleep well at night. The only problem is that I can’t make a solid living with the wages and benefits with in this industry. So I have since left this industry for greener pastures. I am working as a mechanic currently, while going back to school to pursue a better career. I don’t believe that the aviation industry as a whole values the mechanic at all, especially with the level of responsibility that is placed with this position. I felt this at every job that I have worked in my short career as an aircraft mechanic, along with extensive travel. Until the aviation industry as a whole begins to value the mechanic, there will be less of them in the industry, and working in the industry. I tell people evety day not to become an aircraft mechanio, it’s not worth it anymore.
I completed A&P school in 1989 Just in time for the end of the hiring boom for the airlines. September eleventh was the beginning of the end. As my particular airline chose outsourcing from american jobs to MRO’s with questionable reputations. I now am employed as a maintenance inspector for an amusement park that has benefits and starting pay higher than any airline (major or regional) or general aviation job that I have been able to research. I sleep well at night also because I am not working third shift pressured to make a departure time. However; I would love to return to the field I trained for just as soon as the respect for the job is protected by the government and rewarded by the companys that will understand the price is to important to defer.
My last airline chose to keep the inexperienced “yes men” who keep the flights on schedule, and fire the most safety conscious person on the team. Now, 99% of the jobs seem to be through ‘contract maintenance’ organizations who treat you like a number and pay you below your real worth. Gone are the days of permanent and dedicated company employees. Its all about politics and the bottom line, not safety.
I am working for Indamer co. pvt. ltd here at Bombay Airport and we are maintaining Beechcraft-Hawker aircrafts we are dealer in this for India and there is lot of maintenance activities going here and I am working as Jr. Aircraft Technician here as far as work is concern I had learnt many things here but other part that is monetory benifits so far I am getting is very low certainly waiting for a bright oppotunity and holding short of the departing runway that is Indamer.
I am working for Indamer co. pvt. ltd here at Bombay Airport and we are maintaining Beechcraft-Hawker aircrafts we are dealer in this for India and there is lot of maintenance activities going here and I am working as Jr. Aircraft Technician here as far as work is concern I had learnt many things here but other part that is monetory benifits so far I am getting is very low certainly waiting for a bright opportunity and holding short of the departing runway that is Indamer.
I would like to agree with joe Escober this is indeed the industry to work in but true to that it olso is geographically biased. I am under going my training rigt now so far i passed my certificate level and i have just started my diploma in aircraft engines and power plants which i will finish mid 2009 God willing. The problem is this is Africa. For one to get employed its not that easy and yet one sees alot of jobs being advertised over seas and thas where geography comes into play.
sir i have complited my aircraft maintenance engg from bhopal college and know i am surching for apprentice
Do your part by illustrating the jobs with poor work conditions and pay as well as the good ones.
Do your part by illustrating the whole spectrum of employment so young people can make a good decision.
I am 18 years old and entering in a aircraft maintenance engineering program. any advice for me since i have no clue what I’m getting into or how to prepare?
Well Chad, its hard to know if being an A&P is right for you until you try it. You would be better off getting a job as a mechanics helper and see if you like it while taking general courses in school. If you don’t love it then you should leave it as quickly as possible. Aviation is only a good career field if its the only thing you ever want to do.
I have been in aviation for 20yrs. 18yrs with the same company. This year my company decided to cancel their pension plan. They hired a managing director from a failing airline to set up a new maint program which includes contract mechanics. My company is one of the top in the field, a dream job for most, I am starting back to school at the age of 44, I have to start over, my advice to anyone entering the industry, make sure you have an exit plan, be ready to move on because no matter how good you think you have it things can change overnight. When I first started working as a mech I noticed all of the tool boxes had big wheels mounted on the bottom, I ask one of the old timers why this was, he said “when the company across the street pays more, it’s esaier to get you box over there”, I wish I would have paid more attention to that mech, he didn’t care about pensions or benifits, he was all set up to move, he had no loyalty to anyone! just like the companies of today are, they don’t care about their work force, they will sacrafice everyone to keep their big bonus payouts. keep your wheels greased up and your resume current, take all of the training you can get, never throw away your moving boxes. I know this sounds bleak but so is aviation.
I understand your frustration with your personal situation, Randy. But there are many good companies and good people in the industry. I think it is important for people in our industry to focus on the companies and the people who are working to create a good work environment. We have an aviation staffing firm that provides both contract mechanics and recruits direct positions and through surveys of mechanics we know that there are people who want to be loyal, to be rewarded for their efforts and to receive benefits. We work with customers who want these quality personnel. So I encourage you to seek out other quality people and organizations, maybe you might find some on our website at http://www.relianceaerotech.com/services All the best as you work through this.
Gentlemen, I have been reading you comments, and you are all correct. My husband is line mtc A&P, for 29 years, with a major airline. For the past six years, he has worked under a union give away contract that demanded a 17.5% pay cut, loss of one week of vacation, loss of 5 paid holidays, midnight shift differential cut to 3 cents per hour, and 1% annual raise. This contract came on the heels of another bad six year contract where the first three years were a pay freeze and the last three years were a 3% raise per year.(They all hate the union but can’t get rid of it.) Essentially, and the Social Security statment proves it,my husband has not had a significant increase in income since 1995. How is this suppose to attract skilled technical workers to the field??? Contract talks are just in the first hint of beginning. The company and the union want to extend this bad six year contract one more year. And they are looking at “Alternative Compensation.” I don’t know where these union and company officials reside, but here on the east coast of the United States, “alternative compensation” is not valid currency at the gas station or grocery store. Earlier this summer, in the company’s inflight magazine, the President of the company wrote an article about how valuable aircraft mechanics are. You would think that if a company truly valued their skilled labor force,they would provide them with decent pay and with cost of living raises. The romance of aviation died a long time ago. In the past year, four mechanics my husbands age, quit for more lucrative jobs with much better working conditions.
i hate aviation and will swear to god never join again
sir,i have completed 2.5 years of ame training n i have passed paper 1 n 2.i want to do ojt at mumbai airport in goog organisation. please give me some suggestion
sir i am lookingforthe job in this field but i can’t able to find any its being 1year i have completed my course
sir i have completed 3yrs aircraft maintenance engineering cleared papers 1,2&3(l.a)and i am looking for a career in endamer at hyderabad.
I’ve worked general aviation for 3 years. I’ll have my I.A. in May. Unfortuately I’m actively looking for a better job outside of aviation. I dunno about anyone else but annoys the cr@p out of me when I see the “Let’s thank the mechanic articles” in AOPA magazine. Lets thank the mechanic with better pay not just talk.
John, why are you pursuing your IA? If you are actively looking at getting out of aviation, an IA won’t do you any good. And you won’t be able to keep your IA current if you don’t work in aviation. Seems like a waste of time and money.
Just curious,
Jim
sir i doing ame and i cleared paper 1 and iam lookig for on job training in indamer.
sir, i had completed 2.5years of training and cleared my paper 1 please say me where do i get ojt in hyderabad or in mumbai.
sir, i have completed 3yrs aircraft maintenance engineering cleared papers 1, 2 & 3(CP) and i am looking for a career in endamer.
Please suggest me to get a job in indamer.
I have completed my aircraft maintenance engg. & also i having paper 1&2.i want trainee as technisian on heavey aircaft in india . give some help.
im half way through with my course.i need a practical and more exparience to be Qualilfied.please consider.