What a conundrum
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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What a conundrum
Afternoon guys,
Somewhat confused
So far I've tried working air side at Farnborough (ramp work), operations for a small operator (no chance of flying), dropped CV's on desks, cockpits and occasionally thrust one towards a startled chief pilots face in the car park. Networked like crazy even felt like a stalker at times!
Nothing. not a sausage, to even get a reply is like winning the lottery, I am totally up for working my way up, id jump at the chance of an ground operations role to move up to the RH, only to be told sorry we currently only want ground based people who intend not to move out the office. I even know people that have done it this way before
Yet the occasional log in to Facebook sees a array of pictures from someone who cant even grow a facial hair sitting RH seat of a small prop or biz jet.
My experience level is low I couldn't agree more. Around 300 TT, UK citizen modular trained finished up at one of the big FTO's 2 years ago. I could have done an FI course (if I'm totally honest I feel i'd make a bad teacher) and keep getting told to hold off in case I need to pay for a rating. I can only afford one or the other, in fact even one is pushing it.
What would be your next move?
Any private messages of help much appreciated.
Tell me to wake up and smell the roses.. all I can smell is stale socks
Somewhat confused
So far I've tried working air side at Farnborough (ramp work), operations for a small operator (no chance of flying), dropped CV's on desks, cockpits and occasionally thrust one towards a startled chief pilots face in the car park. Networked like crazy even felt like a stalker at times!
Nothing. not a sausage, to even get a reply is like winning the lottery, I am totally up for working my way up, id jump at the chance of an ground operations role to move up to the RH, only to be told sorry we currently only want ground based people who intend not to move out the office. I even know people that have done it this way before
Yet the occasional log in to Facebook sees a array of pictures from someone who cant even grow a facial hair sitting RH seat of a small prop or biz jet.
My experience level is low I couldn't agree more. Around 300 TT, UK citizen modular trained finished up at one of the big FTO's 2 years ago. I could have done an FI course (if I'm totally honest I feel i'd make a bad teacher) and keep getting told to hold off in case I need to pay for a rating. I can only afford one or the other, in fact even one is pushing it.
What would be your next move?
Any private messages of help much appreciated.
Tell me to wake up and smell the roses.. all I can smell is stale socks
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Sounds like you are doing all you can...the one thing I think you are missing is a slice of luck.
Unfortunately you have no control over that, so keep doing what you are doing and something will come your way.
Unfortunately you have no control over that, so keep doing what you are doing and something will come your way.
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Rule one, don't quit. Rule two, don't lose your calm composure.
I wasn't sure, did you try applying for TAG as a line service guy? Talk with HR, ask what their advice it for bettering yourself and applying at a later date once you've done what they suggest...
I'd say you might want to act as though flying is not on your radar, and that fueling is your life ambition. I've seen many guys use this as a way to meet crews.
- Avoid the thoughts of buying a rating, it lacks good form...
Best of luck!
FR
I wasn't sure, did you try applying for TAG as a line service guy? Talk with HR, ask what their advice it for bettering yourself and applying at a later date once you've done what they suggest...
I'd say you might want to act as though flying is not on your radar, and that fueling is your life ambition. I've seen many guys use this as a way to meet crews.
- Avoid the thoughts of buying a rating, it lacks good form...
Best of luck!
FR
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Sadly you need more hours logged, closer to 1,000 before anyone can consider you without a current type rating on biz jets. Really consider SE Asia or Africa for a few years, in this business you must follow the work unless extremely lucky. Alternatively try operators at places like Southend on Tprops.
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If you are really willing to do whatever it takes to move ahead then are you prepared to fly abroad (such as flying small singles in a developing country) until you gain a thousand hours? Because that will put you in a much better position to apply for whatever it is you are interested in.
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Go to Africa and get some real experience - plenty of operators who could use you. It will be a good life experience (you will appreciate what you have now) in addition to getting you the hours you need to be noticed back home.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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FLHamster said it. Terrible terrible, insulting, exploitative terms are imposed on the current cohorts joining the "profession" these days, as the incumbants pull up the drawbridge. Gaining entry is difficult, and if you do manage it, you will wish you hadn't bothered. There is also practically zero meritocracy, and you will see the most incompetent or unprofessional people sit pretty, while good people languish below. Ironically my dad implored me to become an accountant, and oh how I wish I had listened. PTF should be paying to fly your Cherokee on your weekends with your family, and if you like airlines; then join JPMorgan and fly the world in business class drinking champers.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but cut your losses.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but cut your losses.
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Your biggest problem are your hours and I presume turbine hours!
I was horrified at the hours the insurance wanted for an FO and after a lot of persuasion got them cut down! Sadly to levels way above what you have!
It's sad because how does a low time pilot get the hours if no one will allow them to fly to get those hours in the first place !
Pace
I was horrified at the hours the insurance wanted for an FO and after a lot of persuasion got them cut down! Sadly to levels way above what you have!
It's sad because how does a low time pilot get the hours if no one will allow them to fly to get those hours in the first place !
Pace
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Harsh but true!
For what it's worth my first bit of advise is to ignore those who even hint or suggest that you should be quitting! If it is what you really, really, want to do, and you have the determination to keep going until you achieve your goal, the thought of quitting should never cross your mind.
To some in this profession jobs were gifted, many struggled to jump the hoops, and many others faced a walk through treacle before eventually realising their dream. Sure, right now for most it is harder to get a foot onto the bottom rung, and there is a lot of competition out there. That may seem discouraging but one thing you do have, that thousands do not, is a medical certificate, and that makes you a VERY lucky boy!
I know one guy with a birth defect who was told he would NEVER get a medical, and another one with learning difficulties who was advised to stop dreaming of becoming a pilot! It took them both a very long swim through sh1t and tar, but as a result of perseverance, doggedness and damned hard work, without complaining I should add, they are both now flying shiny new jets. It took them a little while mind, 17 years and 19 years respectively, but hey, you're only a kid, so get up your fit young arse and do what thousands before you have done. Get stuck in, suffer the short term consequences and deal with achieving goals, one step at a time. If you want it enough it will happen. I promise!
To some in this profession jobs were gifted, many struggled to jump the hoops, and many others faced a walk through treacle before eventually realising their dream. Sure, right now for most it is harder to get a foot onto the bottom rung, and there is a lot of competition out there. That may seem discouraging but one thing you do have, that thousands do not, is a medical certificate, and that makes you a VERY lucky boy!
I know one guy with a birth defect who was told he would NEVER get a medical, and another one with learning difficulties who was advised to stop dreaming of becoming a pilot! It took them both a very long swim through sh1t and tar, but as a result of perseverance, doggedness and damned hard work, without complaining I should add, they are both now flying shiny new jets. It took them a little while mind, 17 years and 19 years respectively, but hey, you're only a kid, so get up your fit young arse and do what thousands before you have done. Get stuck in, suffer the short term consequences and deal with achieving goals, one step at a time. If you want it enough it will happen. I promise!
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the one thing I think you are missing is a slice of luck.
And don't worry: as an engineer, I've dealt with SO's on 777s who I'm pretty sure couldn't grow a beard if their life depended on it! (and no matter how many times they do it, they STILL bugger up the fueling calculations!
) What can I say? Money talks in this industry.I agree with the other recommendations: go fly bug-smashers in Africa for a few years to clock up some serious hours. Or even look to Europe, the US or Australia, get an ag rating and do some aerial application work. With turbine Thrushes, Dromaders and Air Tractors, you'll clock over 1000 hours on turbines pretty quickly, I'd say. I'd say be prepared to start life doing ground work like fueling and loading, but you're already doing that, so that says a lot about your attitude and commitment.
Ultimately, just stick at it! I'm also 26 and, while not flying, am facing the same conundrum: how can I log hours of experience on aircraft to eventually become licensed to certify them, if no one will take me on so I can log those hours in the first place? It's the same in all industries: companies want experienced people, but no one out there seems to want to put the time and effort into training inexperienced people so they become experienced!
Best of luck and keep us posted!
Cheers,
John
