I started my flying training in August and do feel that just by 'knocking about' before and after lessons has enabled me to start bumping into relevant people. Far from or even wanting to be their best friends I do feel I am starting to spot people I need to say hello to. Its amazing how much I have learned just by being in the same room as two pilots having a conversation near me.
I know the market for newly trained pilots is low at the moment and what jobs there are do seem to be leaned more to the contacts made via an integrated school but when the market picks up, which it will, more doors will open and I am just hoping given what a small world it is that along the way I have made the right impression on the right people...it certainly wont do any harm but also dont want to be a pest.
Source of my optimism? Well let me assure you my time in business was proof that pre 2008 no one saw the severity of the recession and kept calling it an expected 'slow down'. Well roll on the worst recession for generations, thats how quickly the world can change. I believe the predictions from Boeing that the industry will be short on pilots in the next 5-10 years and will be keeping working hard in the meantime. The whole scenario of no sponsorships and pilots effectivley paying to work for airlines is wholly unsustainable as a business model. Works now but will cause a big problem when growth in the industry returns.
If you want something badly enough......?
Thanks for everyones time and words of advice.