Don't Tell Me the US Aviation Industry is Turning

[sunset_contrails_10]

I have 10000 hours. 3000 hours PIC jet in 121 OPS and cant even get a response from any USA carrier. Delta-NO, US Air-NO, Southwest-NO, Atlas-NO, Kallita-NO, World-NO, then Skywest, Pinnacle, Air Wisconsin, Republic, PSA...All no...even no response from GoJet. Most I have letters of Recs and still no responses.

I am starting training as an Locomotive Engineer in March....Done with the BS in Aviation...good luck to all.

[gentleman]

same for me, 2000h,A320...sent 20 CV this month to US operators and with the right to work there and a FAA ATP, no answer.

should I become a train driver?

[zondaracer]

Do you have any internal recommendations or not? That could be a factor. If you don´t know anyone inside the airline, you should consider attending an open house if the airline is having one. Or double check your CV/Résumé for spelling errors/grammar? Sorry, I don't have more insight than that.

[sunset_contrails_10]

Gentleman,

You might look into it. A recruiter told me that they hired a lot of the Northwest guys that got furloughed. Don't know if they are still engineers or back with an airline.

Zondaracer,

Yeah I do have internal recs for most of them. Grammer, mispelling, sentence structure and punctuation? Probably all poor however I do fly airplanes.

[captjns]

Sunset... don't take it personally. You are but a single individual out of a zillion unemployed aviators looking for work in the US. With the exception of perhaps FEDEX and Southwest, there is not one carrier in the US worth working for on an entry level basis.

With your experience, why would you want to pull the gear $20,000 a year? There are better places for Airbus and Boeing pilots in the Middle East, Euroland and Asia to fly with terms and conditions offering better tax advantages far better than what US carriers have to offer.

Best choice I made was in 1991 to go on an all expense paid vacation as an expat, and I have not looked back. Oh I did come back for a couple of years flying Supplemental Charter on the good old B727. But I longed for another adventure.

No matter your choice… good luck in securing employment.

[ATPMBA]

Could it be your email address on your CV?
They don't want to see [email protected]

Have a professional sounding email address.

[sunset_contrails_10]

Ha Ha Ha....

Yes..im sure my email address is limiting my career progression.

AMR..chapter 11...yes the industry is getting healthy.

[Non Zero]

Dude... better think about joining the big expat family ... at least for the next 5-8 years there's no light in US ... unfortunately! and ... better hurry-up before the AA mustangs ...

[777ord]

Don't give up just yet. Someone with your experience surely deserves an opportunity!

I am in a similar boat. I have a good amount of airline experience between international ramp ops at ORD, approx 3 years of station agent experience with American Eagle and so on.

I found out through a phone call interview for DL ramp a few weeks ago that theirs, and almost all US airline HR is now contracted*!!! Infact, most of them don't even have a CLUE about airline ops!!!!

*- I asked when I called why she said peoplechoice or whatever, over "Delta human resources." Again, they're contracted to do their job for them.

My only suggestion for you, alter your resume to be understandable at a high school level. I know it sounds absolutely degrading, but I keep several resume's of various details ready just incase.

I hope you haven't given up yet!

777ORD

[Flyer1015]

I have 10000 hours. 3000 hours PIC jet in 121 OPS and cant even get a response from any USA carrier. Delta-NO, US Air-NO, Southwest-NO, Atlas-NO, Kallita-NO, World-NO, then Skywest, Pinnacle, Air Wisconsin, Republic, PSA...All no...even no response from GoJet. Most I have letters of Recs and still no responses.

I am starting training as an Locomotive Engineer in March....Done with the BS in Aviation...good luck to all.
With those many hours, why the hell would you want to come to a regional? LOL! You = crazy!

But all joking aside, no one said the US aviation industry is turning. It isn't. Oil is still up, and projected to stay above 100/barrel for all of 2012. The economy is weak, and it's election season time, which means the fear mongering is well underway (war, economy, oil, etc). Not only that, I don't think there will be this big HUGE hiring wave that everyone keeps talking about. This is the aviation industry. Sure, there may be some robust hiring like how we had before in certain parts of the 80s and 90s, and even 2005-2007. But I honestly don't see a major "pilot shortage" as pilots keep claiming. Along with all those retirements, nothing says the airline will replace them all. With gas staying above 100 barrel for the foreseeable future, the airlines may just park a lot of fuel inefficient planes and not replace them. Lets be honest, for a country of only 300 million people, we have tons of airlines and tons of airplanes. The industry could "right-size" itself in the future, reducing the amount of airplanes and the amount of flying capacity offered. I'm not holding my breath on any major pilot shortage in the next 10 years.

[CaptainProp]

Korean, ANA, Fly Dubai, Emirates, Qatar, Etihad, Air China, Hainan, Juneyao, Asiana, Air Asia, Singapore Cargo, Go Air, Air China Cargo, Skymark, Vietnam airlines, Chengdu, Xiamen, Saudi, Air Astana....etc etc....

All recruiting, some requiring type rating with hours on type, some don't.

Good luck.

[cameltoad]

I read Captjns and others thread on "things not getting better" and I totally agree. I am a USAir guy, and really not by choice. My airline of 15yrs. went out of business and I applied here back in 07 just because I live near CLT. got hired, got furloughed, went to Mid East, hated it, then took family to China, loved it, but came back because I was told come back now or your dropped. So being back, yanking gear for 50k gross a year makes me realize what slaves we are to the BS US system of seniority,(and THATS after that lovely first year of 36k!) and at 47yrs. old and 200 from the bottom at USA makes me realized that we are so brainwashed to believe that a job at a US major is the pentacle of our profession we really don't see the reality of what it has become. So I am thinking of doing the unthinkable and resigning and heading back out there. Scary, yes, but when you have the time we all have got how can you justify going to the bottom of another list to "pay your dues" for what the third time, fourth time?

[PCLCREW]

I have 10000 hours. 3000 hours PIC jet in 121 OPS and cant even get a response from any USA carrier. Delta-NO, US Air-NO, Southwest-NO, Atlas-NO, Kallita-NO, World-NO, then Skywest, Pinnacle, Air Wisconsin, Republic, PSA...All no...even no response from GoJet. Most I have letters of Recs and still no responses.

I am starting training as an Locomotive Engineer in March....Done with the BS in Aviation...good luck to all.


What about Emirates? 10,000tt 3000pic... why would you ever want to come to this country and fly. There is nothing left unless you become a CEO. Listen to the others go drive trains and be happy the US sucks.

[Ghost_Rider737]

Every pilot has dreamed of flying in the US. They make their ads in aviation magazines extremely appealing.

Beneath all the glitz flying in the US is sad.

[captjns]

Beneath all the glitz flying in the US is sad.

Not when it comes to corporate or GA flying.

[break_break]

cptjns
Not when it comes to corporate or GA flying.
Absolutely~!

Back on the topic, of course the Industry "is turning" around, at least once every 2 quarters. It has to, at least according to Boeing and Airbus constant brainwashing that millions of slave drivers are needed to fly their shinny new tubes for the next couple of decades.
Otherwise, how else do you think greedy airlines Bosses and HRs could get all those dumb stupid kids to spend ridiculous amount of money (be it parents' retirement funds or having 5 jobs) for jobs that MAYBE there?

They (All the mentioned airlines who are hiring) will ALWAYS need EXPERIENCED and CHEAP pilots willing to bend backwards for everything. They all have eyed on the US downturn with thousands of pilots out of job. AND, they are greedy.. They want you to have this, that and everything and you're supposed to be eternally grateful for the EY ticket they get you to pick up 100miles at the downtown centre to fly half the globe, pay for your own accommodation for an interview that doesn't quite test anything but just for formality.

That wasn't how it was done when the Airlines truly needed pilots. First class tickets were delivered to doorstep, hotels booked for your entire stay. Nominal allowance provided for couple of meals a day and they do, respond to you in reasonable time frame of the outcome post interview.

Sunset, at least you have an alternative, go for it while it could work for you. Most of us, the lucky bunch who are gainfully employed by bunch of 10 year old mentality management flying 250million bucks fat brand new tubes in the sandpit, are pretty much stuck and will just stick it out and don't give a damn anymore.

I will quit once my alternative is sorted out and able to provide me with a reasonable lifestyle, and that, I'm lucky that I don't any dependents and should be able to do so rather soon.

Best of luck. Cheers.

[sunset_contrails_10]

I haven't bailed on Aviation Yet. I do think that my time is near but for now I am still flying a Barbie Jet in a third world company with dreams to someday living my life back where I belong...

With my fiance in the gold old USA.

I admit, I sometimes wish that they would just cancel my contract so I can be done with it but for now it looks like six more months.

[tu144]

I have 10000 hours. 3000 hours PIC jet in 121 OPS and cant even get a response from any USA carrier. Delta-NO, US Air-NO, Southwest-NO, Atlas-NO, Kallita-NO, World-NO, then Skywest, Pinnacle, Air Wisconsin, Republic, PSA...All no...even no response from GoJet. Most I have letters of Recs and still no responses.

I am starting training as an Locomotive Engineer in March....Done with the BS in Aviation...good luck to all. If its not a secret where and with who are you applying to be a Locomotive Engineer?

[coloritamber]

did you try Express Jet Airlines?

[Oceanic815Pilot]

Love to have you back in Shenzhen, Cameltoad....it's gone downhill since you left though
! We are getting a big raise though...guess it makes them feel better about themselves! Whatever, I'll stick it in the bank with the rest of it...it all spends the same!

[afhelipilot]

I shall ask my friends within the US main airlines, regarding the future positions, however, I may not promise you anything. Also, I will ask the airlines I was s with, as a lady you are having a great flying experience. At the end I shall ask my friends within your main airlines, we shall meet shortly, as we have a sad issue to discuss about, shall ask them to “push you”, but that won't be sooner then 3 weeks or so. You belong to your place, I belong to 3. I have a question the same question had asked my Capt b. You are at your place, and once you had met someone somewhere, then the person is facing a tragedy due to a catastrophe, then would you come to pick a person, by all means...
If you would then come to Asia, I will help you as much as I can as lady to a lady. Do not bother yourself with the spelling mistakes, as they are not playing any major role at all. The most important is a will. Isn't it?

[tu144]

I shall ask my friends within the US main airlines, regarding the future positions, however, I may not promise you anything. Also, I will ask the airlines I was s with, as a lady you are having a great flying experience. At the end I shall ask my friends within your main airlines, we shall meet shortly, as we have a sad issue to discuss about, shall ask them to “push you”, but that won't be sooner then 3 weeks or so. You belong to your place, I belong to 3. I have a question the same question had asked my Capt b. You are at your place, and once you had met someone somewhere, then the person is facing a tragedy due to a catastrophe, then would you come to pick a person, by all means...
If you would then come to Asia, I will help you as much as I can as lady to a lady. Do not bother yourself with the spelling mistakes, as they are not playing any major role at all. The most important is a will. Isn't it?
??????????

[wingreencard]

what are the best regionals where to apply, preferably jet airplane, fast upgrade on left seat, and good pay and exciting routes?.

[CaptainProp]

Unfortunately I think "..regionals.." and "...good pay and exciting routes" in the same sentence is a bit of a oxymoron. That goes for most regionals today I'm afraid.

For upgrade time, look at things like aircraft orders / network expansion plans, length of contract to operate routes for the majors. Are a lot of people leaving this airline? If so, upgrade is probably faster. On the other hand they are leaving for a reason.

[shon7]

head to Asia. The US airlines wont revive in the forseeable future

[sunset_contrails_10]

nothing in Asia if you have no airbus or 737 time. Oh, yes you can interview at air asia but of my group of twelve...nobody hired...now what?

[afhelipilot]

Try United Airlines, ( not Florida base ) I will ask a friend further on, and even if they are not recruiting at the moment then they can keep your CV for about 12 months. However, I am not sure if the recent rules imposed on the 12th of April, shall not affect your chances. I would not be so emotional regarding this article at all, as its bringing nothing new along. For the further airlines I can ask around, from which I had resigned, (I just hate one thing in its all when someone tells you like you should fly what about if I do not feel like...)so they will keep you until they have some openings. I will ask around in Asia as well, but just in case I’m not familiar with the contracting companies. So, would need to write a nice cover letter for you, and you would need to tell me if you agree or not. Also,try your main airlines, you can get a contract perhaps in a cargo flying field.