What did you do to return into aviation after a break for whatever reason

[dynamite dean]

Hello bizjetters past present and errr...

Since loosing my role in 2022 (super midsize cpt) been flying since the 1990's but biz jet since 2006, what did ''y'all'' do to get back into aviation. Just curious nothing more. Flew a FAA HA4T the renewal cost is 25k plus expenses . Last flew a global in 2016 on a EASA ticket. So I am well and truly a pumpkin. I also threw a lot of dosh on a US eb2 visa but I'll look like gandolf long before that gets (if ever) issued.

I'd like to hear some stories about what you did and how you managed to return to aviation, I'm not stupid I know to a HR person I'd look like a plank. To a fellow pilot who gone through the moves there'd be more sympathy. Ive had or held 6 different license paid for the odd type rating along the way which ultimately was an expensive indulgence with not much come back. So I've been around the Block and not really have the appetite nor wallet to be messing about with new type ratings when the house eventually sells.

Alright thanks for your stories and thoughts.

DD

[happyjack]

'Gonna answer your question in a way you won't like? My last few years in aviation I found to be very unpleasant. Neverending backstabbing by my "colleagues" and a management company from Hell!
I had an opportunity to walk away with some cash so took it with thanks. The idea being to relax, take some time out, and reconsider where to go next?
But after a few months of "having a life" I began to wonder what the purpose was in continuing to fight through this dog eat dog unforgiving suitcase existance?
And the months became years. I have looked at a return but what is the point? I can survive perfectly OK without it. So it's not about earning money.
Do I miss the flying? Yes, sometimes I do. But I do need to remind myself of when I was flying in the crap parts of the world with crap crew, crap pay, crap hotels, etc. Then not so much.
We tend to remember only the better times when we reminiss but if you take time out there are many bad times to compensate?
So my "short break" became total retirement. It's just the way it happened. Now, at my age any return is denied anyway.
Regrets? Yes of course. It's been a varied career with many adventures. Some I would not want to repeat! But I survived it all. And I was unsure about that many times!
So I am now in a different chapter. And it is OK.
Why do you want to make that return? I would suggest you consider a fact that one must stop flying at some point so it would be better to be the master of that decision rather than the slave?

[dynamite dean]

Thanks happyjack,

I thought I was reading a diary entry of myself a while back on global operator !.
I have certainly experienced all of what you say , Europe does have its fair share of this. I also have found the opposite in less doses. When I would goto sim in the US and share some mucky experiences some would wince and couldn't believe there is so much of this happening. In fact one person said in 40 years only once had they experienced sh1tyness. The last role was a positive one .

Anyway thanks for your tale !
DD

[happyjack]

The short answer is you need to suck up, and probably throw a lot of money pleading to be let back in to a junior, underpaid job! That is an awful situation. It's a hard career!
You need to question the worth?

[The Flying Stool]

Virtually all airlines are hiring like crazy at present. It may not be what you want to hear but a short/medium term to getting back flying would be to consider the airlines and then consider biz jet flying at a later date. You presumably aren't short of hours or experience. Consider those with bases close to home first. You may like it.

[dynamite dean]

Thanks both , yes I suspect il have to spend something to pass the HR box ticking process. Im 49 now and don't think I could do a 45 minute take off brief these days and stay awake until the end of it . Besides I have done a few online tests for Jet2 about ten years ago and couldnt pass there online test , something about company growth and geographic and algebra forget it! I just know how to fly planes from a to b and thats about it, I'll stick to the scratchcards in the back :)

[LanaD]

I worked charter sales and dispatch while I converted to US license.

[wondering]

Most operators usually have a multi stage aptitude/screening process these days. You just can't avoid jumping through the hoops to get in. It can be done even at your age. Like everything it takes some preparation. Else you limit yourself to smaller private gigs which usually go by word of mouth and/or require to have the appropriate type rating. Good luck!