Aircraft Maintenance Technician : Career Paths , Pay , Pros + Cons

I believe UPS is top of the food chain right now at over $60 an hour. Anyone considering this career field at a major airline should be prepared to work a lot of night shift, a lot of weekends, miss a lot of family outings, be exposed to a lot of chemicals, expect hearing loss, and work under pressure to make flights go out on time. The money is there, but you pay a price. Know the pros / cons will make you make a better choice. Talk to someone in the field.

starting classes this January (2024)! Just toured the campus 2 days ago at Lewis! Seeing all the workshops and engines and planes, I got goosebumps! Cannot WAIT!!! also I'm starting late, I'm 34 and have worked in corporate offices my whole life. So icky, I hate it. Can't wait to be with like-minded people and work with my hands! Not wearing heels will be nice too 😂

Great video about the aviation industry as a whole. Aviation by itself is a very broad word. Many different types that I have never heard of. I am going to be going to school for aircraft mechanic. I thought there was just commercial, private, and military. Boy was I wrong! I am looking forward to exploring my options while I am learning this trade and studying for the A&P certificates.

I'm actually starting Aviation Maintenance school this month and I'm so excited to start and launch my career in Aviation!💯, I'm ready to work hard for this! I'll sacrifice everything and anything for this opportunity 💯.

I've been working in manufacturing (specifically) military engine manufacturing for the last 6 years, that's another avenue if you want good work life balance.

32 year retired A&P from a major US carrier. I started out in the military and then worked defense contract, commuter regional, air freight, then major airline. Be prepared to work third shift for many years, you will experience exhaustion & fatigue daily. It's much easier if you are single as it's hard to maintain a normal family life. If you are married you will miss many holidays, family functions, kids sporting events. As to job security the 9/11 layoffs were bad and some people I know were on the street for YEARS. The pandemic was not as bad but people still got put on the street, just not for years but a month or two. If you work line maintenance you will work outside no matter the weather. Hangar maintenance is not subject to this but both line & hangar are dangerous environments. I've seen people die and also be terribly wounded, keep your head on a swivel at all times. You aren't a real airline mechanic until you have gotten hydraulic fluid (sky kill) in your eye, and had your arm in a dirty lavatory tank up to your shoulder. FLY NAVY!!!

A Tip: Choose a commercial airliner that is big in the State where you wish to raise a family or enjoy living. I worked for one of the big three commercial airliner for 15 years from 1990-2005. Enjoyed the job and flight benefits the most. Attempt getting a basic college degree, the A&P and the one time elusive FCC Gen Radio license and understand the basics of electronics and you will be well rounded. In later years, if you wish to move up the ranks when you get tired of wrench turning. The salary was enough to be comfortable but you will never be rich unless you have a gig where there are a lot of overtime in the department or shift you picked; if you choose to work the overtime. The skill set you will learn as a technician is priceless. Most of the big three have outsourced or farmed non critical jobs and kept the critical in house.

Great video, as someone with absolutely nothing to do with this industry its everything i could have asked for

I'm approaching completion of my powerplant series and am suffering from cold feet. Based on my peers, its starting to feel like a make-work industry for vets. Also Horizon (and probably other regionals) have programs to pay your tuition and bring you into the majors after a couple of years if you so desire.

Very well said, with great short an to the point information for people just coming into the aviation industry.

Remember. You work to make a living You don't live to make a working

Currently deciding if I should get into aviation. I work on cars and I love it but moneys is not enough, aircraft look very cool and pay in aviation is good

13:12 would be my only disagreement. You will not see the same thing every day. Every day is different and you are working on various different aircraft throughout your career. Other than that, I completely agree!

Thank you

I recently got my foot in the door to stripping and resealing fuel tanks for bowing which the company doing the work offers to help go further career wise if you so choose and I was curious for someone with an insulin pump and wireless glucose monitoring device would it be better to drop those devices as risk to injury is probably high or would isolating the devices in say a rubber adhesive pad be viable?

Im a electromechanical technician and all this exciiiites meeeee!!!

Did things change recently? I was hired by Delta fresh out of A&P college back in 2001.

Getting out the military have 3 kids. I was really interested in this until I saw how the work tempo was

I am currently in a trade school doing this exact thing. But I also want to become a pilot in the ANG. Doing both is possible right?

Wish I lived in Utah to attend this school!