To van or not to van that is the question
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Newport UK
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Thanks for you constructive comments gents I’m considering all the views on this post
Yep, I am 40 and proud of it I’ve had a charmed life, so benefit from not having had forty years of abusive leave a mark on this stunningly handsome face of mine
Before aviation came a very successful career in project management for which I lived on contact in Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand and America for over ten year. Hence the no strings bit. I don’t have a wife, children , family or mortgage commitment to consider. Wherever I leave my hat really is my home .
Money is not the dominating factor in my life, as long as I have enough to live on, its enough . Its more important that wake up each day and WANT to go to work.
I’ve remarked on it previously, my good friend fly contract in North Africa so I’m well informed about the pro’s and con’s of contract flying, and for me, it still fits my nomadic lifestyle. I agree its not for a family guy , and I am constantly reminded by parents , ex- girlfriends, and friends that I should have settled down by now.. but that just not me .. I like my nomadic lifestyle.
Now , the challenge is to make an employer see my maturity , loyalty and my desire to make a long term commitment to a contact company rather run off to fly shinny jets … see all that as a valuable asset to a company as I do
Yep, I am 40 and proud of it I’ve had a charmed life, so benefit from not having had forty years of abusive leave a mark on this stunningly handsome face of mine
Before aviation came a very successful career in project management for which I lived on contact in Malaysia , Singapore , Thailand and America for over ten year. Hence the no strings bit. I don’t have a wife, children , family or mortgage commitment to consider. Wherever I leave my hat really is my home .
Money is not the dominating factor in my life, as long as I have enough to live on, its enough . Its more important that wake up each day and WANT to go to work.
I’ve remarked on it previously, my good friend fly contract in North Africa so I’m well informed about the pro’s and con’s of contract flying, and for me, it still fits my nomadic lifestyle. I agree its not for a family guy , and I am constantly reminded by parents , ex- girlfriends, and friends that I should have settled down by now.. but that just not me .. I like my nomadic lifestyle.
Now , the challenge is to make an employer see my maturity , loyalty and my desire to make a long term commitment to a contact company rather run off to fly shinny jets … see all that as a valuable asset to a company as I do
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: UK
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Just...
With that added info and your desire to do it, then you should.
Is your friend flying in Algeria?
Also, there is a Dutch company and a Maltese company who fly 1900's on contract in Lybia.
This could be an option, as it would be a European/JAR-OPS operation, paid in a hard currency (euros) as opposed to $ and you could continue to live in Newport?
I have a friend flying for them and they seem like a fairly stable outfit.
With that added info and your desire to do it, then you should.
Is your friend flying in Algeria?
Also, there is a Dutch company and a Maltese company who fly 1900's on contract in Lybia.
This could be an option, as it would be a European/JAR-OPS operation, paid in a hard currency (euros) as opposed to $ and you could continue to live in Newport?
I have a friend flying for them and they seem like a fairly stable outfit.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: africa
Age: 56
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good news
Several months have passed since I started this post …and over a thousand people have read this thread.
In May I packed my bags and left the UK for East Africa, for a job which all started from a PM from this thread.
And after five years of hard work, persistence and encouragement from friend and parents alike
The day came when I received my first salary as a Commercial Pilot
For all of those who encouraged me to take the van option … thank you so so much.
Just one final note
PPrune can be a very negative place sometimes, but for all of those out there like me who needed encouragement and guidance. After all pprune found me my first job. Please write your posts, and take the good and the bad comments… it will pay off … never give up … because one day you will find yourself grabbing a sandwich at FL115 looking out at the Serengeti thinking it was worth the pain and sacrifice…. Trust me … it was
The end
In May I packed my bags and left the UK for East Africa, for a job which all started from a PM from this thread.
And after five years of hard work, persistence and encouragement from friend and parents alike
The day came when I received my first salary as a Commercial Pilot
For all of those who encouraged me to take the van option … thank you so so much.
Just one final note
PPrune can be a very negative place sometimes, but for all of those out there like me who needed encouragement and guidance. After all pprune found me my first job. Please write your posts, and take the good and the bad comments… it will pay off … never give up … because one day you will find yourself grabbing a sandwich at FL115 looking out at the Serengeti thinking it was worth the pain and sacrifice…. Trust me … it was
The end
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: too far away from home
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Congraturatios! I am an european as well who found recently his first charter job on singles. I still don't belive I am actually getting paid for flying! Probably in the next future I'll jump in Africa for keeping flying GA, so see you then.
