What Job were you doing before your first Flying job.

[ASHTAM]

Hello all.

Just interested to see what jobs people did before they got their first flying job, or what job they are doing whilst they wait for their first flying job. I have finished my training and I am also looking for that first flying job whilst also trying to find some work to keep the money flowing.

What job did you do?

Do you think if I went for temp work, which is not aviation related, could affect my chances of getting that first airline job? Obviously I would like aviation related work and I have tried the Ops side but they say a big “NO NO” := because they believe I will leave when the market picks up (Fair Point).
It is all very frustrating. :ugh:


Thanks

[FougaMagister]

You must have come accross fairly :mad: interviewers. After I got my shiny blue licence (early 2003), there were no jobs around (sounds familiar...) So I went back to Cabin Crew. Had an interview for direct entry Senior C/C, during which the interviewer asked me wether I would leave if I got the chance of a flying job. I looked at her straight in the eye and said: "of course I would!" I got the job...

After that contract, I had several interviews for Flight Dispatcher positions at my (then) local airport (BHX); none of the interviewers even asked me whether I would leave for my first flying job, since it was evident I would! Again, I passed all interviews and even had my choice of handling agent; a job I did (part- and full-time) for 3 years. Great experience for learning, networking, getting known by the airlines, and even handing your CV to the right persons... In our office, there were always 3-4 frozen ATPLs among the 20 or so dispatchers. Most got a flying job that way.

Clever Ops/handling agents recruiters would know the added value they get by hiring someone who has a frozen ATPL. The others obviously don't have a clue about the business.

Cheers :cool:

[ropraider]

I am working for a handling company. Loading and unloading cargo aircraft,... while searching for my first pilot job.

[Muddy Boots]

Film Industry, specialised in International distribution and film finance. Want to be a pilot so I work less hours and can spend more time at home...

[Nashers]

was a student then started running clubs.

moved on very quickly to become an area manager for a company that worked within night clubs, then had to quit that to start flight training. during and after all my flight training (from 0 to hero) did door work (night club security) and still do. have the days to myself to do job hunting and also and other part time jobs that come around.

oh and also dab my hands in the family business whenever needed.

when you spend so much money on your training, anything that makes you money is worth taking. in todays climate, its hard for me to get any professional job with the experiance and qualifactions i have. everyone has been downsizing or working their workforce harder rather than recruit.

[Luke SkyToddler]

I was a maintenance engineer in a kids' amusement park, used to spend my days repairing the go-karts and the pinball machines

It was actually by far the most fun job I've ever had, I'd go back to it tomorrow if it only paid pilot wages :cool:

[Whispering Giant]

I was a flight Operations controller for the Airline I'm now flying for - did that for 6 years before becoming a F/O with them 5 years ago.

brgds

W.G

[GA Button]

I was a despatch rider in London - I liked motorbikes so it seemed logical at the time, and gave me the chance to go off and do flying courses as and when :-)

[ASHTAM]

Wow a good range of jobs everyone did. I work in a hospital in the Main Operating theatres. love the job but the money is :mad: so trying to keep those hours up is an interesting challenge, but i love it

[redsnail]

In Australia, I was a laboratory technician.
In the UK, night ops assistant.

[Sciolistes]

Boring old IT consultant. But I was a dispatch rider a long time ago :)

[G SXTY]

Various shipping and steel industry jobs (and a paper round) before I ran away and joined the airlines.

Comparing colleagues' CVs, I can think of ex teachers, police officers and IT people, a chemist, a paramedic, a geologist, and - my personal favourite – a former pro skateboarder.

[pablo2973]

I used to sell mechanical antiques .....things like vintage sewing machines typewriters , radios , scales,etc , when the busines started to slow down, one day I decided to buy afordable classic cars to re-sell, that day saved my flying career......
thanks porsche 914 , thanks triumph TR6 ,thanks alfa romeo junior for all the fun :D.

[EpsilonVaz]

"Professional" computer gamer... certainly makes a lot of conversation on the flight deck! I've made sure I have photos on my phone now :ok:.

[xuejiesandi]

Banking.....

[EGCC4284]

as mentioned before

Left school and did the following

van driver

truck driver

aircraft refueller

pilot

The best thing to is get any job that gets you anywhere near aircraft. You just don't know who your going to meet.

[Easy Glider]

Porn Star!:ok:

[F117A]

Worked 3 years as a passenger handling agent and another 4 in the operations department as a Load Controller and Flight Dispatcher with a handling agent. Even though I like my job very much, it was always my dream to fly for a living so I finally started flight training 3yrs ago and finished just over a year ago.

After I finished my flight training I needed a job desperately so I went to my old job in the operations, only to be hired on part-time basis. That meant trying to work as much hrs as possible so I can pay my training loan at the end of the month. Desperate to find a job, asking every single crew member I handled with no luck, I started to give more importance handling general aviation. Even though that meant having no life, going to work any time of the day and still earning pennies. Finally this paid off as I was making more realistic contacts. Through these contacts I now fly corporate on a Cirrus SR22 for a private owner. Hopefully this is the beginning so I can one day move up to the big jets.

[Arabian Mustang]

I was a small time DJ.. It was a fun job, work only 5-6 days a month and made more money than my first pilot job in afrika.:}

[One9iner]

regional account manager - London & south east... good job. good money. good car. good pension. good healthcare.

training to be a pilot . 'priceless' :ouch:

[flyvirgin]

Was a Scaffolder for 5 years, just finished my ATPL now waiting to start Cpl/IR then i will try and get a aviation related job when I finish.:ok:

[CraigyD]

In training via modular route now.

Finished Alevels and joined the army as a trainee aircraft engineer but left after 9 months to start a trainee job on light single and twin piston and turbine engine aircraft at Biggin Hill. They went bust last summer so did my ppl in California. Came home and got a bar job, left that at the beginning of the year to start as cabin crew.

Seems quite boring compared to some peoples previous jobs....

Porn star

[philc1983]

Porn Star

Easy Glider, Was that your on screen name aswell?

Hehe :)

[Sagey]

Worked in financial journalism and then financial/corporate PR before leaving to gain licenses. Periods of freelance before flying job.

[Jwscud]

Currently doing my ATPLs modular. I drive supertankers around the world for 6 months a year to pay for the flying.

[flyingcamel]

Immediately before training I was a Council Tax/NNDR Inspector. Before that I was a Scuba Instructor in Thailand (2 years) and Antigua W.I. (15 months) after that.

Don't ask.

Glad to be doing what I do now though. Hours are worse, less beer, less 'life' but wouldn't swap it.

[Dan Winterland]

A Social Security fraud investigator, working mainly in the east end of London. Most useful attribute for the job: to be able to sprint 100m in 10 seconds!

[Paparoach]

Decided to remove it

[turbine100]

I.T consultant travelling installing software. Worked full time through all training including the I.R. Still doing it and working commercially part-time waiting for a proper full time flying job.