Master of Science Thesis in Aviation University of North Dakota August 2025
Michael J. Hickey Email: michael.j.hickey@und.edu
Educational Background:
- Bachelor of Science, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2008
- Master of Business Administration, American Military University, 2018
- Master of Science in Aviation, University of North Dakota, 2025
- Dr. James Higgins (Chair), University of North Dakota
- Dr. Sarah Sletten, University of North Dakota
- Dr. Shayne Daku, University of North Dakota
Defense Date: July 17, 2025 Degree Awarded: August 2025
This thesis examined pilot retention challenges in U.S. regional and low-cost carriers (LCCs), focusing on nonfinancial incentives such as quality of life, career stability, and work-life balance, which may have a greater influence on retention than traditional financial incentives. This quantitative, survey-based approach assesses how pilots rank the factors that influence their retention. Using a sample of U.S.-based pilots, the study examines six key areas adapted from a European pilot retention framework. Statistical analyses, including the Friedman test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test, identified correlations between demographic variables and retention priorities.
The inherent financial constraints of regional airline business models often mean that offered salaries cannot compete with the compensation packages provided by mainline carriers. However, the findings suggest that nonfinancial quality of life factors, such as desirable pilot bases, work-life balance, and predictable schedules, may counterbalance the financial incentives offered by mainline carriers, especially for the younger generation of pilots entering the workforce. Addressing the methodological limitations identified within the study and conducting comprehensive mixed-methods research in the future, will further clarify pilot retention dynamics, offering practical guidance to airline management, policymakers, and labor organizations.
- Lifestyle was ranked as the top retention factor by 44.7% of participants
- Financial considerations followed at 32.9%
- Schedule came in third at 17.1%
- Younger pilots (35 and under) placed significantly higher priority on lifestyle factors
- No significant differences found based on position, experience level, or military background
This study provides the first comprehensive quantitative analysis of pilot retention factors specific to the U.S. regional airline and low-cost carrier context. The findings have important implications for:
- Airline management in developing retention strategies
- Pilot unions in collective bargaining negotiations
- Policymakers addressing pilot workforce challenges
- Aviation workforce researchers
- Research Design: Quantitative cross-sectional survey
- Sample Size: 76 U.S. airline pilots
- Carrier Types: Regional airlines (75%), Legacy/Mainline (14.5%), Low-Cost Carriers (6.6%), Other (3.9%)
- Statistical Analysis: Friedman test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test
- Data Collection Period: April 1 - May 15, 2025
This repository contains all R code and data analysis files used for the statistical analysis presented in the thesis:
- retention.Rmd - Main R Markdown analysis file (1,001 lines)
- Hickey_MJ_2025_Thesis.pdf - Complete thesis document (62 pages)
- Survey instrument and data collection materials
- Statistical output and visualizations
Preliminary findings from this research were presented at the Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) Worldwide Conference in Hong Kong on June 30, 2025.
First, I would like to thank my committee, Dr. Jim Higgins, Dr. Shayne Daku, and Dr. Sarah Sletten, for their time and consideration as I worked through this project. Your feedback and encouragement were invaluable, and I look forward to our continued work together. Next to Dr. Efthymiou, Dr. Aman Gupta, and Dr. Robert Walton for your continued support and insight throughout the process. You all gave me such a huge opportunity to work with you as an equal partner, and I am indebted to you for your unselfish mentorship and guidance. And finally, to my family, for understanding (mostly) why I was always at the coffee shop or hunched over my laptop, slogging away on the keyboard. You all sacrificed as much as I did to make this paper and degree a reality. Thank you.
Hickey, M. J. (2025). Rethinking pilot retention in the United States: An analysis of key factors [Master's thesis, University of North Dakota]. UND Scholarly Commons.
Hickey, Michael J. The University of North Dakota ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2025. 32168570.
ProQuest Link: https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/rethinking-pilot-retention-united-states-analysis/docview/3246414757/se-2
Copyright 2025 Michael J. Hickey
All rights reserved. This thesis is available for inspection at the University of North Dakota library and may be used for scholarly purposes with proper attribution.
This repository has been archived as of August 2025 following successful thesis defense and degree completion. The repository is preserved as a permanent record of the research conducted for this thesis project.
For questions or collaboration inquiries, please contact:
Michael J. Hickey michael.j.hickey@und.edu
Repository Tag: v1.0-thesis-final