Where to from here? Any advice?

[Flyer14]

Gents, I joined Nationwide a month ago and finished about half the fluffy sim training before things went tits up. Apart from being completely distraught anyone know where I could complete the rating at a reasonable cost? Airlines are probably out for me with so many rated NTW drivers on the market. I hear terrible things about Link but wouldn't they be a better option than going back to contract?

Feel free to post or pm any advice.

[bianchi]

Hallo Fleyer 14,

I see the last time I was logged into PPRUNE was 14 Des 2007 at 19h45. So I am, a bit out of touch with all the developments.

I can very well understand your''shock'' and now is the time about survival.(there's bills to pay ect).
But to go and find someone that can complete your B737 rating will not help you find a job........sorry for the bad news.
If Link offers you a job .........well if it was me....ill take it.( you need to pay bills you see) then look out again for a job where you can fly a jet again.v Good luck with what ever you decide.

[togabutton]

Sorry to hear of your woes. If you are single, I would be cutting expenses - move in with family. Next, I would be looking abroad to Australia - major pilot shortage! The other option is to look at the USA - perhaps you could get a work permit/visa and go instruct over there after fairly easily passing the FAA CPL or ATP written and a quick practical flight test. That way, while instructing and therefore sponsored by the flight school, you could eventually land a green card and a better job.

The upside is that you would have the option to get out of a country where the only supplier of electricity now cannot supply it for 24 hours. Seriously though, this may well be an important turning point in your life. Love of country aside, I would earnestly be looking outside of SA! Been there, done it. THERE WERE DIFFICULT TIMES, BUT NO REGRETS.

[TwinJock]

togabutton

The States must the WORST place on earth at present for aviation - 2 weeks ago 5 companies went bankrupt dumping a couple of thousand very well qualified pilots on the market. One had 600 B737 NG drivers all looking for work.

Flipping burger at the big M is more profitable!

Looking East might be the answer, depending on your qualifications! Link, SAX, 1Time and Comair should be low on your wannabee list.

Good advise, take it!:ok:

[Anette Kruger]

I'm in the same boat. But I don't even have 1/2 a rating, as I was on the 767, and altough we completed the technical, and some of the ground courses, a couple of hours before we were due to fly out to the UK for the sim training, everything was cancelled without explaination.

I can't say that I have ever felt this much like quiting aviation and working as a waitress somewhere... Although I have sent out a number of CV's again, it will probably be months before anything happens. Tomorrow I'm off to instruct again, but at the current cost of everything and what we earn as instructors, it almost feels like it will make more financial sense to sit at home...

Not a word from Nationwide. Chatherine is the only one who at least kept in contact, but I think she probably knows about as much as we do...

I did not even get my month's training pay...

So now what? What next? Besides taking my family beyond break-point with my silly ideas of being a mom and airline pilot, is it even worth continuing. I have not yet netted a cent out of flying. Its the cost of getting the CPL licence, every bloody conversion, the instructors ratings, instructor conversions, travelling, baby-sitters, licence fees, medicals... Earning peanuts as an instructor... getting a break and then having the carpet pulled out... Maybe it is time to quit... Cut my losses...

[VortexGen300]

Hey Annette


I'm in the same boat. But I don't even have 1/2 a rating, as I was on the 767, and altough we completed the technical, and some of the ground courses, a couple of hours before we were due to fly out to the UK for the sim training, everything was cancelled without explaination.

I can't say that I have ever felt this much like quiting aviation and working as a waitress somewhere... Although I have sent out a number of CV's again, it will probably be months before anything happens. Tomorrow I'm off to instruct again, but at the current cost of everything and what we earn as instructors, it almost feels like it will make more financial sense to sit at home...

Not a word from Nationwide. Chatherine is the only one who at least kept in contact, but I think she probably knows about as much as we do...

I did not even get my month's training pay...

So now what? What next? Besides taking my family beyond break-point with my silly ideas of being a mom and airline pilot, is it even worth continuing. I have not yet netted a cent out of flying. Its the cost of getting the CPL licence, every bloody conversion, the instructors ratings, instructor conversions, travelling, baby-sitters, licence fees, medicals... Earning peanuts as an instructor... getting a break and then having the carpet pulled out... Maybe it is time to quit... Cut my losses...


I am really sorry about you and the other at Nationwide - but are you going to let this asshole steal more than your money from you???

No he can't steal your dream - go for it - I am sure the people at Link, SAX, SAA, Mango, 1Time, Comair are probably looking at the prospect of finding crews and newbies from the Nationwide fiasco.

Lets face it - you have come this far and this is probably not the first oak that has dropped you big time? why give this :mad: the opportunity to come and cause you to drop this wonderful career - it is not worth it.

Friends of mine got into a similar situation in 2001 when they were flying for a guy and he also dropped them overnight without their last months salaries - nothing! He even had the cheek to claim their training bonds after a while? - Well they all sent him to discuss the matter with their lawyer while they got in to Link, SAX, Comair and SAA.

And guess what they have never looked back!

I trust something good will come out of this - even if it is just one less asshole in aviation stuffing up peoples' lives?

Good luck
VG300

[FREIGHTMAN]

Hey Anett............chin up ....don't give up now !!!
You have come too far, and beleive it or not things will come right.
Let's face it, you chose a very difficult path, to start flying at your stage of life ( with kid's etc).
Most people start out when they are free and single, and able to move back in with family, or dig's etc when these things happen.
However, there are far more opportunities now than in the eighties when I was trying to get into airlines.
You may have to instruct for a while, and take out more loans, but all the airlines will be taking soon, to make up the slack and you WILL find something.
However, it's never going to be easy with airline rosters working people to the max....and public holiday's ........I don't think so !!!!

[Q4NVS]

However, it's never going to be easy with airline rosters working people to the max....and public holiday's ........I don't think so !!!!

I you work for certain Airlines (even in SA), you will earn a good living and spend more time at home than a 9 to 5er (and definitely more than a waitress) :ok:

Winners NEVER Quit and Quitters NEVER Win!
(The closest you'll ever get to winning...Is only seconds before you decide to Quit)

[Shrike200]

Two freight loaders, busy loading containers into a tired old 747 Freighter on the ramp at Keflavik, in the -17 degree blustering snow and wind:

Loader 1 (shouting over wind): "You know, it can't get much worse than this; here we are, loading this rubbish in the freezing wind, at two am in this god forsaken wasteland - I'm thinking of quitting you know!"

Loader 2 (stands up straight, with a shocked look): "What?!!? And get out of aviation?!?!"



Aviation's a bit wierd like that...

But on a more serious note, when asked about the job, I always recommend becoming a doctor instead....:}

[Bluebull]

Really sorry to hear what happened :{
The companies in the Middle East are desperate for pilots why not give then a go ,not so bad here!!!

[VortexGen300]

Freightman posted this:

Moving On
Guys and Dolls

It's time to focus on the future. What's done is done. The loyal and dedicated staff at Nationwide need to look ahead. Most of the pilots should be OK - there's a shortage!

Cabin Crew and Ground Staff. Did you see the advert in the Sunday Times today. South Africa's larget national carrier is on a nationwide search for high fliers to join them now. Closing date 12th May. If you missed the add and want a copy, email http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?emailimage=32c7c9489b3e6b6b5e1583c1dcecb05c and they will send it to you.

Nationwide people have a good reputation in the job market so those of you needing jobs right now, focus on getting your CV up-to-date and competing for any jobs available right now.

Perhaps you will look back in time and see the good in all of this.


Greetings
VG300

[I.R.PIRATE]

Plus Annette, if you were good enough to pass Nationwide selection, then you are good enough to pass that of the others dont you think? Nationwide is not the be all and end all.

[fly nice]

Don't sell yourselves short. There are opportunities here and abroad. SAA will be employing both direct entries on the domestic as well as for P3 positions.

If they like you, youre in regardless of a half completed rating.

[Flyer14]

Thanks everyone for the advice - it's not falling on deaf ears! Annette don't lose hope, I know it's tough and a really kak deal all around. I've met you and you seem to be a strong person to have got where you are! I was also seriously down last week but alot of people have told me that's aviation and I tend to agree.

What doesn't kill you, will only make you stronger.

[Propellerpilot]

Yeah it's :mad: !

Just remember it does not only affect those directly involved, there is always that rippeling effect...

I hope you all get into another airline fast so that I can take the next step in my carreer in the contract or charter world without having frustrated ex-airline guys and gals who would rather fly schedules to compete with.

We all have and want to move up-so we too feel a bit of the pain.
Wish you all of the very best. I think it will work out for those who want.:ok:

[Anette Kruger]

Thanks everyone... sorry about the winge.

Thoroughly enjoyed flying an old C152 again today (or rather, telling someone else to fly it :) ; then getting to take over landing last minute) I doubt I will ever stop flying, been finding ways to get airtime since I was 18. But maybe looking at things a bit differently again.

With all the ups and downs in aviation there is never a dull moment - guess that's the addiction...

[fly nice]

I speak for myself, but others may agree that one can suffer a little Stockholm syndrome while working for VB. When I escaped, I could not get used to the idea of being well paid and well treated. It has been a number of years now and I can say that working for NTW has made me appreciate every single day with my present employer.

What I am saying is "things will get better, keep your head up".

[Maurice Chavez]

Anette,

As I.R.PIRATE has stated, if you have passed the CE selection, then you're ok. I used to work for NTW and know how strict they are, so you have it made. Don't give up on your dream of becoming an airline pilot, you might have to settle for something smaller then a 76...Try SAX, Comair, 1Time, Interair, Zambian Express and SafAir.

[nugpot]

I had a quick chat to SAX "in-the-knows" today. So far they have only received 8 CV's from NTW pilots.

Are you guys not hard up enough??

[Flyer14]

Dropped off 2 cv's last Wednesday.....and e-mailed one as well.

[Shrike200]

Nugs, your PM box is full. I'd PM you this, but....;)

[Malagant]

Maybe something good will still come out of this, maybe Mango, Comair or 1 Time will expand as one of them will be quick to capatalize on the NW loss, how many flights did NW do per day, somebody still gotto move the bodies..! Hope you guy`s and gals find yourself in a seat soon again!