Ground Job for Newly Qualified Pilot
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Ground Job for Newly Qualified Pilot
So I've recently graduated from an integrated course and am obviously seeking my first pilot job. This, of course, may take some time, so I thought it would be a good idea to get a job within aviation on the ground somewhere. I sent off applications to the obvious ground support agencies at the big airports within a reasonable distance. Plus a couple of other things here and there.
However, I just submitted the CV that includes all my flying experience and qualifications. Initially, I figured this would show I know a little bit about what goes on underneath the wings. But then I realised it probably highlights that I'm not looking to stay long term. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how best to deal with the question of why, as a pilot, I'm applying for a ramp agent role? Should I try and disguise the fact?
Also, what other roles, other than ramp agent and passenger service agent could I realistically apply for?
However, I just submitted the CV that includes all my flying experience and qualifications. Initially, I figured this would show I know a little bit about what goes on underneath the wings. But then I realised it probably highlights that I'm not looking to stay long term. I was just wondering if anyone had any advice on how best to deal with the question of why, as a pilot, I'm applying for a ramp agent role? Should I try and disguise the fact?
Also, what other roles, other than ramp agent and passenger service agent could I realistically apply for?
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@plans123 - I'm not denying that. I'm hoping I can still give at least a few months of service over the busy summer period. The airline selection process is often quite protracted and there's inevitably going to be a wait to start a type rating course. Plus I'm hoping it will be some valuable experience that will give me a much greater appreciation of what the ground staff do when I do eventually I get to the flight deck.
I've actually been invited to interview for a couple of Ramp Agent roles and a Passenger Service agent role. So presumably my pilot aspirations weren't an issue but I would be very surprised if they didn't ask me about it in the interview. Of course, I wouldn't want to lie, but I feel like outright telling them I have no real career aspirations with them won't go down well.
So, does anyone have any thoughts on what I should say? Or are you ground guys sick of us cadets blagging our way into jobs and then pissing off at short notice?
I've actually been invited to interview for a couple of Ramp Agent roles and a Passenger Service agent role. So presumably my pilot aspirations weren't an issue but I would be very surprised if they didn't ask me about it in the interview. Of course, I wouldn't want to lie, but I feel like outright telling them I have no real career aspirations with them won't go down well.
So, does anyone have any thoughts on what I should say? Or are you ground guys sick of us cadets blagging our way into jobs and then pissing off at short notice?
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@FlyingHorse1 Thanks for the info, I'll have a look at the Operations side of things. My thoughts were there might be less turnover and more training required for these roles and so they would possibly be looking for more of a commitment.
I'd obviously thought about the networking opportunities and figured the ramp agents probably wouldn't be the best placed, so it wasn't necessarily my primary motivation. I mainly need to pay some bills, and more importantly, keep my licence current. I was therefore hoping to get a job fairly quickly, so the high turn-over is what appealed to me. Plus being in an airport environment around all the shiny aeroplanes is always nice. All of the vacancies I've come across have just been for ramp agents, which I assumed was a catch-all title for those on the ramp and in the baggage hall, and they just moved you around where they needed you. Or have I got that wrong?
I'm in Oxfordshire at the moment, so not particularly near any major airport. Luton, Birmingham and Heathrow are all commutable... just. And the unsocial hours might be a benefit to avoiding rush hour. My flight training has gotten me used to early starts so that's not an issue.
I'd obviously thought about the networking opportunities and figured the ramp agents probably wouldn't be the best placed, so it wasn't necessarily my primary motivation. I mainly need to pay some bills, and more importantly, keep my licence current. I was therefore hoping to get a job fairly quickly, so the high turn-over is what appealed to me. Plus being in an airport environment around all the shiny aeroplanes is always nice. All of the vacancies I've come across have just been for ramp agents, which I assumed was a catch-all title for those on the ramp and in the baggage hall, and they just moved you around where they needed you. Or have I got that wrong?
I'm in Oxfordshire at the moment, so not particularly near any major airport. Luton, Birmingham and Heathrow are all commutable... just. And the unsocial hours might be a benefit to avoiding rush hour. My flight training has gotten me used to early starts so that's not an issue.
