Atlantic Airlines (aka West Atlantic) B737-300 (G-JMCL)
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Atlantic Airlines (aka West Atlantic) B737-300 (G-JMCL)
Hi,
I'm posting this in the hope someone may be able to point me in the right direction.
Having recently completed a B737 300-500 (inc 600-900 diff) type rating I am currently trawling around for work (I've done the whole firing CVs around to death for the last few years with no success).
From looking online I noticed that Atlantic Airlines have a sole B737-300 which it seems is used primarily for transporting race horses around the world. Because of this I visited Coventry earlier today to see if I could speak to someone regarding any recruitment that may take place for this aircraft (it doesn't seem to appear on the main West Atlantic website). I realise this is a long shot but I figured that if you don't ask you don't get and it's far better to see someone in person than to just send an anonymous email.
After explaining my situation to the receptionist (and her subsquent call to someone in HR (think she used the name Wendy on the phone?)) I was told that Atlantic don't actually do the recruitment for this aircraft (which surprised me as G-JMCL is registered to Atlantic Airlines) but if I gave her (the receptionist) my CV then HR would make sure it was forwarded to the right place (I did ask where this was/could I speak to the HR member in person - but this was not possible).
Now I'm sure my CV will make it there but I was just wondering if anyone on this forum might be able to point me in the right direction of who actually does the recruitment for this aircraft so I can continue to chase (I've done a bit of digging online but with no success).
I would be really grateful if anyone can help me out with this (any other pointers/ideas would also be more than welcome).
I'm posting this in the hope someone may be able to point me in the right direction.
Having recently completed a B737 300-500 (inc 600-900 diff) type rating I am currently trawling around for work (I've done the whole firing CVs around to death for the last few years with no success).
From looking online I noticed that Atlantic Airlines have a sole B737-300 which it seems is used primarily for transporting race horses around the world. Because of this I visited Coventry earlier today to see if I could speak to someone regarding any recruitment that may take place for this aircraft (it doesn't seem to appear on the main West Atlantic website). I realise this is a long shot but I figured that if you don't ask you don't get and it's far better to see someone in person than to just send an anonymous email.
After explaining my situation to the receptionist (and her subsquent call to someone in HR (think she used the name Wendy on the phone?)) I was told that Atlantic don't actually do the recruitment for this aircraft (which surprised me as G-JMCL is registered to Atlantic Airlines) but if I gave her (the receptionist) my CV then HR would make sure it was forwarded to the right place (I did ask where this was/could I speak to the HR member in person - but this was not possible).
Now I'm sure my CV will make it there but I was just wondering if anyone on this forum might be able to point me in the right direction of who actually does the recruitment for this aircraft so I can continue to chase (I've done a bit of digging online but with no success).
I would be really grateful if anyone can help me out with this (any other pointers/ideas would also be more than welcome).
Shockwave
Think there are only 2 crews working the 737, (standing by to be corrected) so you'll be lucky to fill a position - but as you say - don't ask, don't get.
I'd send your CV to the usual Atlantic email address as well - which, after having a look at the website isn't that obvious!
Think there are only 2 crews working the 737, (standing by to be corrected) so you'll be lucky to fill a position - but as you say - don't ask, don't get.
I'd send your CV to the usual Atlantic email address as well - which, after having a look at the website isn't that obvious!
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Because in my 3yrs of banging my head against a brick wall I've found that if you don't get a response in the first 48hrs you're not likely to get one at all.
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Not always. The airline I am about to join emailed me to select an interview date four months after I applied, BA took a couple of weeks, Jet2 about a month, GSS took about 3 months.
An airline is inundated with applications, most of which can been thrown in the bin, but they have to be reviewed by a person(s) nonetheless. This takes time. You never know if whomever is dealing with the CV's or application form is away for whatever reason etc.
If you are sending a CV and cover letter it might be worth having a look at it and see what can make it a little different from your competitors. My professional CV is pretty standard (with a few exceptions) and similar to most 6000hr pilots who worked for Ryanair however it is my personnal side which is different and varied, which I think puts me in the maybe pile at times.
I worked for a brand new airline briefly years and years ago. The amount of postal applications coming through the door each day was ridiculous. I went up there in person and hand delivered it to the main man.
Getting that first job is a nightmare, I have spent a long time on the sidelines. Some people are lucky, some are not.
Good luck.
An airline is inundated with applications, most of which can been thrown in the bin, but they have to be reviewed by a person(s) nonetheless. This takes time. You never know if whomever is dealing with the CV's or application form is away for whatever reason etc.
If you are sending a CV and cover letter it might be worth having a look at it and see what can make it a little different from your competitors. My professional CV is pretty standard (with a few exceptions) and similar to most 6000hr pilots who worked for Ryanair however it is my personnal side which is different and varied, which I think puts me in the maybe pile at times.
I worked for a brand new airline briefly years and years ago. The amount of postal applications coming through the door each day was ridiculous. I went up there in person and hand delivered it to the main man.
Getting that first job is a nightmare, I have spent a long time on the sidelines. Some people are lucky, some are not.
Good luck.
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Eagerbeaver has it absolutely spot-on. I was involved in pilot recruitment as a pilot manager in two airlines over a number of years until the whole system became streamlined and more formalised. I remember that – fairly recently – there was a 2-month period during which I personally read over 750 CVs. At the end of that, well frankly I needed a rope….
One major aviation college’s students produce CVs in precisely the same format, so, with the best will in the world, it is practically impossible to remember a particular individual. Furthermore, it seems that many new entrants to the industry have a very stylised – and erroneous – impression of just what sort of person the airlines want. Again, as eagerbeaver wrote, something ‘interesting’ makes you pause and look more closely. Under the ‘Personal’ heading it appears that there are literally hordes of pilots out there whose only out-of-hours activity is going to the gym. Doesn’t anyone go to a concert, play the flute or be interested in, oh I don’t know - say, astronomy? I’ll tell you one thing – the girls’ CVs are often much better written and much more interesting, and frequently make them stand out from the ocean of applications.
It’s a mistake to assume that the airlines are looking for shining supermen/women. They are looking for people who have reasonable academic qualifications, can actually fly an aeroplane, will be a comfortable, non-irritating companion on a 13-hour day and who will come to work, do the job according to the SOPs with enthusiasm and without whining all the time - and go home at the end of the day without having caused a fuss. Turn up on time and don’t be a to$$er sums it up.
Pitching up with your CV in your hand can get mixed results, but it’s hard to argue with “don’t ask don’t get” – just be careful with who you approach and when – at all costs avoid being a ‘stalker…’ One chap I know got it right – he just quietly and very politely kept me updated with his progress via email and then one day he phoned and said “I’m in the area, can I buy you a coffee?” .. and I thought “why not?” When we met it was obvious that he was a thoroughly good bloke and he’s been with us for about 3 years now, but he was lucky – I happened to be free that day and we didn’t offer him the job for a year after that meeting, and he had to follow the entire assessment process – he didn’t get a fast-track entry. I remembered him though, and that did no harm at all.
Keep banging away shockwave – persistence is the key. When I started in the airlines (70s) it took me 9 years to get in an airline door from the issue of my PPL – I did air-taxi, instructing, corporate etc - but airline flying was my sole aim when I started.
One major aviation college’s students produce CVs in precisely the same format, so, with the best will in the world, it is practically impossible to remember a particular individual. Furthermore, it seems that many new entrants to the industry have a very stylised – and erroneous – impression of just what sort of person the airlines want. Again, as eagerbeaver wrote, something ‘interesting’ makes you pause and look more closely. Under the ‘Personal’ heading it appears that there are literally hordes of pilots out there whose only out-of-hours activity is going to the gym. Doesn’t anyone go to a concert, play the flute or be interested in, oh I don’t know - say, astronomy? I’ll tell you one thing – the girls’ CVs are often much better written and much more interesting, and frequently make them stand out from the ocean of applications.
It’s a mistake to assume that the airlines are looking for shining supermen/women. They are looking for people who have reasonable academic qualifications, can actually fly an aeroplane, will be a comfortable, non-irritating companion on a 13-hour day and who will come to work, do the job according to the SOPs with enthusiasm and without whining all the time - and go home at the end of the day without having caused a fuss. Turn up on time and don’t be a to$$er sums it up.
Pitching up with your CV in your hand can get mixed results, but it’s hard to argue with “don’t ask don’t get” – just be careful with who you approach and when – at all costs avoid being a ‘stalker…’ One chap I know got it right – he just quietly and very politely kept me updated with his progress via email and then one day he phoned and said “I’m in the area, can I buy you a coffee?” .. and I thought “why not?” When we met it was obvious that he was a thoroughly good bloke and he’s been with us for about 3 years now, but he was lucky – I happened to be free that day and we didn’t offer him the job for a year after that meeting, and he had to follow the entire assessment process – he didn’t get a fast-track entry. I remembered him though, and that did no harm at all.
Keep banging away shockwave – persistence is the key. When I started in the airlines (70s) it took me 9 years to get in an airline door from the issue of my PPL – I did air-taxi, instructing, corporate etc - but airline flying was my sole aim when I started.
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Under the ‘Personal’ heading it appears that there are literally hordes of pilots out there whose only out-of-hours activity is going to the gym. Doesn’t anyone go to a concert, play the flute or be interested in, oh I don’t know - say, astronomy? I’ll tell you one thing – the girls’ CVs are often much better written and much more interesting, and frequently make them stand out from the ocean of applications.
On that note, I have recently been shown by a friend of mine a picture of his coursemate, who, in his utter despair, had opted for a SSTR. That very friend showed up for his base training - which was sold to him at a ridiculous rate, making me scream of pain and pitty - in a pilot shirt including stripes to, yes, pose on a certain social network...
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Aw c'mon, they're only trying their best. I absolutely do not laugh or sneer at them for giving anything a go. OK, so putting on a pilot shirt complete with stripes maybe a bit gauche, but it's hardly a capital offence - and most decent pilot managers will see past that.
The sheer numbers of low-hour, inexperienced pilots who have mortgaged themselves to the eyeballs and can't get that break is almost heart-breaking. The problem for the airlines when recruiting 'cadets' ( I hate that term, but you know what I mean) is dilution of experience. There are so many more candidates than vacancies, and you absolutely can not have your airliners crewed predominantly by tyros. My post was intended to help folk like shockwave consider a different approach.. but to keep on trying.
Luck plays far too big a part in this, but to paraphrase the golfer Gary Player - "the more I try, the luckier I get"
The sheer numbers of low-hour, inexperienced pilots who have mortgaged themselves to the eyeballs and can't get that break is almost heart-breaking. The problem for the airlines when recruiting 'cadets' ( I hate that term, but you know what I mean) is dilution of experience. There are so many more candidates than vacancies, and you absolutely can not have your airliners crewed predominantly by tyros. My post was intended to help folk like shockwave consider a different approach.. but to keep on trying.
Luck plays far too big a part in this, but to paraphrase the golfer Gary Player - "the more I try, the luckier I get"
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Would just like to say thanks UK019, eagerbeaver1 and 2port for your thoughts and advice. Definitely gives me something to think about. I would never think of giving up (as disheartening as it gets!) flying still continues to be my dream and I'll chase it until the day the doctor no longer signs a class 1 medical!
Piloto2011 whilst I don't know anyone personally that has self sponsored just so they could pose for a photo opportunity on a well known social networking site I can believe it! However I can assure you that is most certainly not why I did it! I (like many others I'm sure) was opposed to taking such a gamble when I first got my licence. However as the years pass with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel things grind you down and you realise that you can either sit on the sidelines and watch the years pass you by or you can go and do all that's available to change the situation, I figured enough years of keeping my powder dry had past and it was time to take the plunge - some would call me a fool who is degrading the t's and c's etc and that's their opinion and that's ok (hell I can understand it and even agree with it but in 40yrs I'd rather look back and say I was a fool who tried rather than a the guy who never took a chance and never made it). Also just for the record I didn't wear a fancy dress pilots uniform on my base check and you won't find any mention / photos of the day on any social networking sites
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Piloto2011 whilst I don't know anyone personally that has self sponsored just so they could pose for a photo opportunity on a well known social networking site I can believe it! However I can assure you that is most certainly not why I did it! I (like many others I'm sure) was opposed to taking such a gamble when I first got my licence. However as the years pass with seemingly no light at the end of the tunnel things grind you down and you realise that you can either sit on the sidelines and watch the years pass you by or you can go and do all that's available to change the situation, I figured enough years of keeping my powder dry had past and it was time to take the plunge - some would call me a fool who is degrading the t's and c's etc and that's their opinion and that's ok (hell I can understand it and even agree with it but in 40yrs I'd rather look back and say I was a fool who tried rather than a the guy who never took a chance and never made it). Also just for the record I didn't wear a fancy dress pilots uniform on my base check and you won't find any mention / photos of the day on any social networking sites
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I would also like to compliment Uk019 on his constructive and informative post.
I have great sympathy with SHOCKWAVE as it took 2 years and 4 months to get my first paid flying job. I was not alone as Air Europe had gone bust and flooded the market with TRed 73 pilots.
On PPRUNE, you only seem to hear from people like SHOCKWAVE applying for jet jobs. Do you ever try the TurboProp or Business or GA guys. You gotta start at the bottom and anything is better than dole.
As regards SSTR, probably a busted flush now as everyone does it. My impression from our head of training is that they don't like them. Quality control is lacking. That said I SS a Shed rating and it led to a job offer while I was on holiday, which I couldn't take, so the phone never rang again. Never say no I can't start this week!
Finally, and in great support of SHOCKWAVES can-do attitude. I heard about a job from a Captain at LHR, while I was doing Load Control to pay the bills, I jumped on a plane the next day, CV in Hand, banged on their door, got to see the fleet manager and landed a great job. Right place, right time Plus Luck.
GL, you're get something in the end. 15 years down the line, when you are doing back to back night Dalamans, try to remember how hard it was to get that break, it'll keep your spirits up.
I have great sympathy with SHOCKWAVE as it took 2 years and 4 months to get my first paid flying job. I was not alone as Air Europe had gone bust and flooded the market with TRed 73 pilots.
On PPRUNE, you only seem to hear from people like SHOCKWAVE applying for jet jobs. Do you ever try the TurboProp or Business or GA guys. You gotta start at the bottom and anything is better than dole.
As regards SSTR, probably a busted flush now as everyone does it. My impression from our head of training is that they don't like them. Quality control is lacking. That said I SS a Shed rating and it led to a job offer while I was on holiday, which I couldn't take, so the phone never rang again. Never say no I can't start this week!
Finally, and in great support of SHOCKWAVES can-do attitude. I heard about a job from a Captain at LHR, while I was doing Load Control to pay the bills, I jumped on a plane the next day, CV in Hand, banged on their door, got to see the fleet manager and landed a great job. Right place, right time Plus Luck.
GL, you're get something in the end. 15 years down the line, when you are doing back to back night Dalamans, try to remember how hard it was to get that break, it'll keep your spirits up.
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Thanks macdo. I think the one positive I will take from what has been a pretty difficult few years is that it when I eventually do get the break I will appreciate it even more than if I'd walked straight into a job after licence issue - without disappointment you can't appreciate success!
