70% Of Us Will Never Make It To The Cockpit | Sarah Michalak | Tedxsiuc

Ladies and gentlemen, I invite you to a game. Raise your hand if you've ever dreamt of becoming a pilot. It's a childhood dream for many, an aspiration that soars high in the sky. Now, let's add a twist. Put your hand down if you have imperfect hearing or vision that can't be corrected to 20/20. Lower it if you rely on allergy medication that makes you drowsy. Does a history of diabetes, epilepsy, or a pacemaker make an appearance in your medical record? Have you ever taken antidepressants, anti-anxiety, or ADHD medication? And finally, confess if you've had a brush with underage drug or alcohol use. Yes, even that rebellious escapade with the forbidden "blunt" when you were sixteen counts.

If you're still standing, congrats, you're part of a shrinking group. But wait, let's dive into the financial realm. Were you a financially independent college student, or are you unwilling or unable to drop a staggering two hundred grand on a bachelor's degree, spending five to six years on it? And what if you're reluctant to join a male-dominated, predominantly white workforce? Ladies, are you unenthusiastic about being forever labeled as a "flight attendant"?

Now, take a moment to look around. As our hands remain lowered, it's evident that only a fraction of us might ever ascend into the cockpit. The perfect blend of lifestyle choices and sheer luck required to meet these criteria seems unrealistic. In this system, only the most robotic candidates can prevail. But the aviation industry is at a crossroads, and change is inevitable.

A Personal Flight: The Up and Down Journey

I'm Sarah Mitchlak, and I share a similar dream with many of you. I wanted to be a pilot. At the tender age of seventeen, I invested my life savings in flight lessons. I was an achiever, a high school graduate with a 4.0 GPA, involvement in numerous clubs, and the honor of being a graduation speaker. Scholarships and multiple jobs funded my ambition. It seemed like smooth sailing towards my dream.

However, it was the second week of my freshman year when I realized that my dream might never take flight. My flight lessons were on hold because of a missing piece of paperwork, and the waiting game turned into weeks, then months. By the time the issue was resolved, I was hundreds of miles away from home, laden with student debt, and had to accept that my wings might never spread in the cockpit. It was a bitter pill to swallow, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

The Unseen Turbulence in the Aviation Industry

The aviation industry, like an airplane, has its ups and downs. These fluctuations are influenced by oil and labor costs. When one soars, the other descends. As we've all experienced, oil prices are far from stable. Just as the cost of filling up your car's gas tank can skyrocket, the salaries of pilots are subject to turbulence. When an economic crisis hits, pilots are often the first casualties.

Historical events such as 9/11, the housing crisis, Middle East conflicts, and the recent pandemic have left pilots jobless overnight. In essence, the aviation industry has become increasingly volatile. This unpredictability has led to the wisdom of having a backup plan, which is why you'd be hard-pressed to find a bachelor's degree in aviation flight. Most programs offer associate degrees and certificates for flight training, along with bachelor's degrees in aviation management or airport operations.

The Cost of Dreams: Skyrocketing Expenses

To become a pilot is to embark on an expensive journey. To illustrate, I compared the costs associated with aviation degrees in 1988 to today. Adjusted for inflation, these costs have doubled, if not quadrupled. Even with hard work, scholarships, and financial support, many aspiring pilots face insurmountable costs.

You might wonder how someone can afford it by working minimum wage during high school and college. However, even with impeccable work ethic, this will barely make a dent in your aviation degree expenses. The reality is that if you were not born with privilege, your chances of entering the industry are close to zero.

Furthermore, obtaining a medical certificate is another hurdle. These certificates require visits to various doctors to ensure you're free of various medical conditions. But what about those who have sought help for mental health issues, like depression or ADHD? Are they being unfairly excluded from pursuing their dream?

Beyond the Cockpit: A Broader View of Aviation

When we think of aviation, we often picture a cockpit. However, aviation is so much more than that. It encompasses blimps, drones, helicopters, hang gliders, and hot air balloons. By introducing individuals to these lesser-known niches of aviation, we can ignite their passion for flying.

The aviation industry doesn't face a shortage of pilots; it faces a shortage of passion. By breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive industry, we can give wings to dreams that were previously grounded.

In conclusion, I don't claim to have all the answers to solve the pilot shortage, but I do have insights into the obstacles that countless dreamers face. It's time for the aviation industry to reevaluate its standards, costs, and inclusivity. Let's create an aviation world where the dream of flying is attainable for all, not just for the fortunate few.

Thank you for your attention. Let's work together to make the skies more accessible to everyone.