COVID-19 and Job Prospects

[hralsy79]

Hey all,

I was just wondering if anyone has noticed any impact on the industry due to the current COVID-19 situation?

I am a low hour pilot trying to secure some work, and knowing how tough it already was to land a seat, I was wondering if the restrictions starting to be put into place as a result of COVID-19 is impacting job prospects?
In particular, the tourist sector of the industry that might rely heavily upon international tourists.

(P.S. if anyone is looking for a hard working, dedicated and enthusiastic pilot, shoot me a DM )

[nuggs]

yep definitely harder now. can't see any tourist operators hiring until this all blows over. especially hit would be the ones reliant on the Chinese (cairns, Airlie beach ect)

[hralsy79]

yep definitely harder now. can't see any tourist operators hiring until this all blows over. especially hit would be the ones reliant on the Chinese (cairns, Airlie beach ect)

That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm starting to see the impact on non-aviation related tourism, so would imagine aviation is suffering.

Thankfully I have a career to fall back on for the time being while still looking for that heli job.

[jimiemick]

I was hoping to get a new flying gig.

Thankfully while not having a job I went back to my trade a few months ago.

Very happy I did.

[Jabberwocky]

Don't get too down about it. It will pass. Use the time to make connections, get on top of your knowledge base and be very ready to be the most professional you can be whenever an opportunity pops up.

[Mag seal]

I doubt there will be any new tourism jobs coming up in the next couple of years. Some companies WILL go out of business unless they hold good emergency type contracts (fires etc) to keep them ticking over.

However, it will pass and the Reef, Rock or whatever scenic flight will start again after the travellers home country economies have recovered to a level that gives them the disposable income to holiday again.

I can't see any positives in our industry at the moment with the COVID 19 virus around.

[havick]

As much as we all had to admit it publicly, helicopters generally thrive on destruction and devastation. So there’s alway work for helicopters.

There are parts of the industry that get hit pretty easily like oil aircraft, and tourism. The oil helicopter side of things is pretty cyclical boom and bust every 5-7 years or so.

The ems, Fire, powerline support etc always stays there and gets busier at times depending on the seasons.

[Jabberwocky]

Good point havick. You would feel pretty secure working for the likes of Babcock EMS, Toll, CareFlight, Westpac, QAir etc. best of luck to all

[skypig]

And just like that, Airline pilots go from “set for life” to “up s#it creek”!!

With oil at $23/barrel, and in free fall, I’m likely in the same canoe (Sans paddle)

Not many predicted the end of the world as we know it would be brought about by a flu.
At least global warming no longer exists.

[Cockroach]

I need a like button, sky pig's comment made me giggle in these serious times. Good luck all.