As they become more experienced, these pilots occasionally fly charter planes and perhaps get jobs with small air transportation firms, such as air taxi companies. Some advance to business flying jobs. A small number get flight engineer jobs with the airlines. In the airlines, advancement usually depends on seniority provisions of union contracts. After 2 to 7 years, flight engineers advance according to seniority to copilot and, after 5 to 15 years, to captain.
Seniority also determines which pilots get the more desirable routes.
In a nonairline job, a copilot may advance to pilot and, in large companies, to chief pilot or director of aviation in charge of aircraft scheduling, maintenance, and flight procedures. Job Outlook Pilots are expected to face considerable competition for jobs through the year 2005 because the number of applicants for new positions is expected to exceed the number of openings. Aircraft pilots understandably have an extremely strong attachment to their occupation because it requires a substantial investment in specialized training and can offers very high earnings. In addition, the glamour, prestige, and travel benefits make this a very desirable occupation and pilots rarely change occupations. However, because of the large number of pilots who will reach retirement age over the next decade or so, replacement needs will generate several thousand job openings each year.