In a previous article, we explored the auto mechanic trade. Now, we take it to the next level.
On an average commercial airline flight, a jet more than 100 feet long, weighing 170,000 lbs., carrying 6,000+ gallons of fuel and between 100-200 passengers takes off and lands between several hundred to 2,000 miles away without incident, delivering its passengers and their baggage safely and soundly. This process repeats itself on average 26,500 times domestically – every day. Let that sink in for a moment.
What is the one job/trade most responsible for making sure these massive, highly complex flying machines take off and land so frequently without incident? Answer: airline mechanics.
Make no mistake about it: this is a trade, and an awesome one at that. You’re responsible for making sure that the planes’ huge, incredibly powerful jet engines run reliably, thus keeping the planes in the air. You’re also responsible for other aspects of plane mechanics, such as the hydraulics, the landing gear, including making sure the tires have plenty of tread left.
Think about it for a second: over 2.5 million people per day* depend on the job that you do with their very lives – and you get to say that you work on huge jet engines. What’s not to love?
Better yet, as a trade, it does not require a college degree. It does require a high school diploma (what jobs don’t these days?) and a trade certification. To get certified by the FAA, you’ll need 18 months of practical experience, or attend aviation maintenance technician school. Either way, you’ll need to pass and oral, written, and practical exam (that applies to most trades, though).
Typically, as with many trades, you’ll start out as an aircraft mechanic assistant, and after about 1-3 years of experience, you can work your way up to a full-fledged mechanic. As an assistant, the median salary is about $45K, which isn’t bad for most jobs starting out. As with most other jobs, the more experience you gain, the higher a salary you can command. Moreover, once you work your way up to full-blown, fully-bona fide airline mechanic, the median salary for that level of job is $87K. That’s considerable earning raise potential in a relatively short amount of time.
In previous articles, we have mentioned repeatedly about the incredible potential of trades as a viable option for maximizing human capital and productivity, both for folks within the autism spectrum and outside of it, too. This job is tailor-made for some of us within the spectrum, and it’s also a viable career for those outside of it, with some key skills provisos:
- You’re good enough to work with your hands (remember, this is a HANDS-ON JOB!), meaning that you’re sufficiently adept at taking stuff apart and putting stuff back together.
- Detail-oriented. For most of us on the autism spectrum, that comes naturally. Here’s it’s ultra-important since every little part must be in good condition.
- The ability to read gauges, and to understand how instruments work. This is real, technical know-how that one can gain through trade school and related formal training.
- Trouble-shooting: whether you work on planes, trains, or automobiles, any good mechanic can figure out where and what the mechanical problem is, and how to set things correctly.
If you can pass muster in all these things, then this might be the job for you. Even more to the point, many of us grew up being fascinated by planes. How cool would it be to say you actually get to work with them in a meaningful capacity each day? Pardon the cliché, but one could say that with a trade job like this, the sky’s the limit, and is an incredible way in which we can all learn and grow together!
More info here on how to become an aircraft mechanic:
http://www.aviationmaintenance.edu/blog/aircraft-mechanic/take-become-aircraft-mechanic/
http://www.fi-aeroweb.com/US-Commercial-Aircraft-Fleet.html
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/by_the_numbers/
https://swz.salary.com/salarywizard/Aircraft-Mechanic-Jet-Job-Description.aspx
*Okay, so these flight figures are pre-COVID, but A) you get the point, and B) COVID, too, shall pass.