Oh, alright then Don. Your cut out and keep guide to why ‘wannabes’ isn’t the most negative place on the internet:
1) You too can do it
18 months ago, aged 29, I thought I was too old for a career as a commercial pilot. Airline pilots were all either sponsored by an airline or ex RAF, right? Wrong. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> I found ‘wannabes’, made the startling discovery that there are hundreds if not thousands of people in my position, and kick-started the self-belief that I’d never had before.
2) Support
I good mate of mine (who I met through this forum) was one of only 30 people to make it through all stages of BM’s sponsorship selection last summer. Unfortunately they only had 29 places, so guess who got bounced? Helped by the support of several people here, he refused to give up, and is now doing an integrated ATPL at Jerez. Most people go through hell to get their first job – the support available here, and the knowledge that you’re not alone, might just make the difference between perseverance and giving up.
3) Advice
Ask a sensible question and it’ll be answered. Where else are you going to get the chance to chat to airline pilots / managers worldwide, and get the benefit of years - no decades - of experience? “If you were starting again, what would you do differently? What route, which school?” etc etc.
4) Seminars
If you’ve been to one of these, you won’t need telling. If you haven’t, you’re missing out on face to face discussions with any number of current airline pilots, ATCers & managers. If these were organised commercially, your day out would cost around £150. Here, it will set you back the princely sum of £20 (and that to cover the cost of the rooms). These people are giving up their time for you.
5) Networking
Contacts are one of the most important factors in getting you first job. 18 months ago, aviation was a closed world to me. Thanks to ‘wannabes’, I’m now on first name terms with several current captains and FOs, a senior ATC manager, and a former airline owner. (I’ve even seen a couple of them in kilts, so I’ve good some good blackmail material if ever required.) <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
So there you go. Yes of course you get the odd whinger, the odd immature comment, even the occasional loony. A bit like the real world when you think about it. Spend a little time sorting the wheat from the chaff, and you won’t find a better aviation resource in the entire world.
And as for the most negative place on the internet, have you checked out Aston Villa’s website this morning?
