Loadmaster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: UK
At your age young man I would take the harsh but fair words of Rampy Tee and put your undoubted skills to other uses. He will save you as many years of your life as you choose to chase your goal.
Some jobs are restricted in the current market........but some jobs are disappearing never ever to come back. This is not to do you down but the Russian cargo types are going/gone. If they do need anybody they are cheaper than you. The rest is done on a laptop. The integrators don't need you. The only need left is to keep the locals at bay, and that is also changing into being controlled by the military, UN etc.
Conclusion?
a) You are not required. Even in dangerous places the infrastructure improves.
b) You are required. Life expectancy slim. Where is the fun of the old job?
c) Livestock flights? Jobs scarce. Market saturated with experience.
Some jobs are restricted in the current market........but some jobs are disappearing never ever to come back. This is not to do you down but the Russian cargo types are going/gone. If they do need anybody they are cheaper than you. The rest is done on a laptop. The integrators don't need you. The only need left is to keep the locals at bay, and that is also changing into being controlled by the military, UN etc.
Conclusion?
a) You are not required. Even in dangerous places the infrastructure improves.
b) You are required. Life expectancy slim. Where is the fun of the old job?
c) Livestock flights? Jobs scarce. Market saturated with experience.
Last edited by greuzi; 3rd February 2009 at 09:02.
Top Dog
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
From: Close to FACT
Amen Amen Amen. Use the experience you gained as an L/M and put it into something more secure.
From my experience its a young man's game; guess I was lucky, I started on the 74 at the age of 22. By the time I was 35, there wasn't much I hadn't done. At age 40, well... put what you learned over those years into showing 'em at head office what's what.
Don't forget, some of these people have never seen the inside of a freighter before. They'll pretend they know lots about it, having been on a company orientation course, read the manual and went for a visit :-)
You're 33 years old by your profile. Do something else. As has been pointed out, there are many highly experienced Loadmasters without work right now. My 20 years is "medium experience" to give you a guideline.
From my experience its a young man's game; guess I was lucky, I started on the 74 at the age of 22. By the time I was 35, there wasn't much I hadn't done. At age 40, well... put what you learned over those years into showing 'em at head office what's what.
Don't forget, some of these people have never seen the inside of a freighter before. They'll pretend they know lots about it, having been on a company orientation course, read the manual and went for a visit :-)
You're 33 years old by your profile. Do something else. As has been pointed out, there are many highly experienced Loadmasters without work right now. My 20 years is "medium experience" to give you a guideline.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 1
From: AEP
Ambassador -
xxx
I do not see any LM openings immediately due to the economy.
However, I would send a C.V. every 2 or 3 months to -
MK Airlines (particularly as you are from Johannesburg)
Cargolux, maybe even Air Atlanta Iceland
Atlas and Polar in the USA, as well as Kalitta and Evergreen
All above cargo airlines often operate with ride-along L/M.
xxx
Good luck.
Happy contrails
xxx
I do not see any LM openings immediately due to the economy.
However, I would send a C.V. every 2 or 3 months to -
MK Airlines (particularly as you are from Johannesburg)
Cargolux, maybe even Air Atlanta Iceland
Atlas and Polar in the USA, as well as Kalitta and Evergreen
All above cargo airlines often operate with ride-along L/M.
xxx
Good luck.
Happy contrails
Top Dog
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,098
Likes: 0
From: Close to FACT
BelArgUsa... As much as I respect your writings on this board, and yeah, we have flown together.... the hard cold reality is... forget it.
MK: They will take their old guys back first.
CV: I helped institute hiring one kid for every one experienced guy. Continuity.... old farts teach those still wet behind the ears.. In general, CV does not want highly experienced guys/gals coming in and telling them all the things they are doing wrong.
Atlas/Polar where I am now. We let 6 good people go last Friday. Don't waste your time.
Kalitta has most of its fleet parked.
EV... try, good luck. Make sure you understand EV and EVEagle are different entities.
Southern as I understand has enough too.
For the US carriers flying CRAF... His O'ness has said we're getting out. Slowly but surely. The way I see it, we'll have a good autumn AMC wise bringing back what was flown in. After that... there is no charter work around, I don't see it getting any better. My considered opinion (like anyone cares
) is that by the end of this year the 200 days are +- over.
Atlas folk: 809 is going to Roswell tomorrow. 109000 hours, needs a C check, D soon... why bother? As I write, we have work for 3-4 classics thru Feb.
MK: They will take their old guys back first.
CV: I helped institute hiring one kid for every one experienced guy. Continuity.... old farts teach those still wet behind the ears.. In general, CV does not want highly experienced guys/gals coming in and telling them all the things they are doing wrong.
Atlas/Polar where I am now. We let 6 good people go last Friday. Don't waste your time.
Kalitta has most of its fleet parked.
EV... try, good luck. Make sure you understand EV and EVEagle are different entities.
Southern as I understand has enough too.
For the US carriers flying CRAF... His O'ness has said we're getting out. Slowly but surely. The way I see it, we'll have a good autumn AMC wise bringing back what was flown in. After that... there is no charter work around, I don't see it getting any better. My considered opinion (like anyone cares
) is that by the end of this year the 200 days are +- over.Atlas folk: 809 is going to Roswell tomorrow. 109000 hours, needs a C check, D soon... why bother? As I write, we have work for 3-4 classics thru Feb.
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 1
From: AEP
Thanks CR -
xxx
I knew things were bad for freight dogs...
But did not think that it was that bad.
Two months into retirement, and already out-of-touch.
Sorry for all these guys.
xxx
Rocking my chair -
Happy contrails to all, one day soon, I hope
xxx
I knew things were bad for freight dogs...
But did not think that it was that bad.
Two months into retirement, and already out-of-touch.
Sorry for all these guys.
xxx
Rocking my chair -
Happy contrails to all, one day soon, I hope
Still Trampin' the Ramp
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Right in the middle of UK
BelArgUSA, that rocking chair is the best place to be right now. I'm afraid I've gotta endorse what CR2 says, it'll get worse before it get better.
Ambassador - I'd heed CR2s sage advice if I were you.
RT
Ambassador - I'd heed CR2s sage advice if I were you.
RT
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: South Africa
C-130 Loadmasters required
Dont know if this will help but Maximus Air Cargo in the UAE are looking for qualified C-130 loadmasters send cv's to [email protected] and mark for attention Dennis. Failing that, send your cv to [email protected]
Things are not that tough in the UAE
Cheers
Things are not that tough in the UAE
Cheers
