FTE integrated ATPL + real job opportunities

[alberto86]

Hello,
I'm about to attend the selection process in Jerez and still have a question which nobody could really answer.
I know that the whole aviation business is not facing a happy moment, and that it's really hard to find a job unless we don't have a type rating..a lot of hours stored in hour logbook and....some good "references".
But flight training centres such as FTE or OAT really like to show the fact they have good coonections with airlines. FTE's homepage have a good airlines list that recruited their graduates.
This is all fair to me, however, let me say I still don't trust this a lot.
I may be wrong, but are job opportunities really bigger for those who attend these FTOs or is it just a manner to attract more and more students?
Are new graduates really hired by this or that airline and perhaps don't even pay for a type rating?

I hope somebody can answer all of this! thank you!

[window-seat]

alberto,

My course graduated from Jerez (BAE Systems back then), in 2002. The employment situation was far worse then than it is right now. 2 or 3 guys were lucky, and found airline employment within 6 months. The majority of the course however had found work within around 18 months of finishing. I believe a small number are still looking.

All employment from our course was achieved personally, by each individual, with no help from the school. The list of Airlines on the FTE website are simply companies where previouse students have found employment, be it with or without the schools help.

The school did have a policy for forwarding suitable students details to any airlines which approached them for pilots, though I know of only 1 or 2 employers which did so in the following few months. I do believe that the large FTO's are currently dealing with several airlines in a bid to find some recruits, however, by the time you finish your course (in around 18 months or so), the employment situation is any ones guess!!:confused:

There are no guarantees, you pay your money (be it for an integrated or modular course), work your 'nads' off and then try to ensure that you are in the right place at the right time and talking to the right people!! For many the real hard work comes once the course is over - trying to secure employment!

It's a long road, so try and enjoy it along the way!!

Good luck, W-S:)