Article Summary

Adam Sadek

     Malmquist, Shem. "Becoming an Airline Pilot." Jetcareers.com. Web. <http://www.jetcareers.com/becoming-an-airline-pilot.html>

     In his article, Becoming an Airline Pilot, Shem Malquist talks someone through the pro's and con's of being a pilot (specifically an airline pilot), while constantly making the readers ask themselves the question of do they have what it takes to become a pilot. He tries to argue that if you are willing to put in much hard work and effort into becoming a skillful pilot, as well as being particularly lucky, then you will have potential to be a successful airline pilot, but there is also a very high chance that you might not do anything too significant. Malmquist explores the extraordinary luck factor involved in the field, as well as the fierce competition there may be for only a few positions. He points out that these, along with a large technical knowledge of the various aspects of aviation, are issues that pilots may have to overcome. He initially shifts the focus from being about the coveted and amazing aspects of aviation, to being about the more realistic sides of aviation. In this he mentions that to an outsider, the most successful 5% of pilots may seem like they have easy, comfortable lives, but that that's only the tip of the iceberg. In all reality their success is built on a wild variety of factors, only some of which are in their control. He uses examples from his own company, as well as observations he's made in the industry throughout his career. He also provides much factual information and explains its relevancy in order to give a reader with no background knowledge a taste of aviation.