A story of hope for you all!!!
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A story of hope for you all!!!
I am just about to start a job on the turbo-prop with BACX and thought I share my journey over the last five years as a bit of inspiration for all those of you that are looking for that elusive first job or considering giving up maybe.
In jan 1999 I started my ATPL course and completed it in august 2001.
One whole year went by and not a dickie bird, lots of applications sent back and no interviews let alone a job. Then one day in a fit of anger and frustration over the whole sorry state of affairs I decided to phone KLM and to my amazement after 7 phone calls of hanging up on "that pa to the chief pilot" so she diddnt think I was a stalker I finally managed to get through to him and get an interview!
Sat the sim ride and passed, offered a position on the F50 "great cracked it" "youll probably start in september" said KLM, for the sharp ones among you the next line will come
as no surprise
Bloody SEPT 11th
Waited another year only for KLM to be reorganised and 12, yes 12 guys including myself to be chopped for the hold pool. My world collapsed That point was definately the lowest of my five year struggle, my job gone.
Now you are probably thinking surely he diddnt apply to just one company, no i would send 100 cvs every 6 months without fail make numerous phone calls to airlines charter co's you name it.
It then paid of again, I landed a job flying a photographer around the country, This was great 900 hours in six months but the down side is that i spent it with the most anti social aggressive arse ive ever had the displeasure to know But I stuck at it.
I progressed to working single crew and then to running the pilots for the owner YES IT IS THE COMPANY YOU THINK
This point will become clear at the end!!!
Still sending cvs and applying, making the calls and all that jazz untill eight months ago I passed selection for BACX and today i am finally two days away form starting my course and the rest of my career.
Now my main point here is dont dont dont ever give up I kept going against all the odds, there have been many a time when I questioned why i persued it, normally the bank statements decided that
, but in truth it has always been my dream and I wasnt going to fail at any cost. It has finally paid off and I am grinning from ear to ear and to top it all of I started to get offers and interviews with other airlines now.
I refer back to my point about my position with my previous company:
1. I have interviewed people who never even bothered to put on a tie and make an effort, Sorry harsh i know but they lost the job the minute they walked through the door.
2. I employed guys who were IR qualified and scared to fly s/e ifr
3. Guys I checked out that couldnt fly a kite . must keep current
4. Guys who thought the job was below them, and that nice shinny jet job was just around the corner(one pilot complaining about being unemployed and when offered a position as a favour to a friend, without interview said no thanks )still unemployed.
Now The way I see the job market at the moment is as follows, It seems to favour every pilot group except those with 2/3 year old licences and no hours, only now after a year of steady recruitment are guys in the charter/current flying practice/instructors/1000hour pilots getting jobs as part of the norm.
Nobody can afford to sit on there arse and wait for a nice glamourus tp/jet job first off. Take what ever you can and do as much as you can no matter what the flying is work your way up and above all dont ever doubt yourself, keep plugging away, and i know we have all heard it before and thought "yeah right" It will pay off in the end.
I hope this gives you all a bit of hope and encouragement and that all the wannabees in the forum will take heed of the points i made, you have to raise your game and gain the edge over Jo Bloggs.
regards views
In jan 1999 I started my ATPL course and completed it in august 2001.
One whole year went by and not a dickie bird, lots of applications sent back and no interviews let alone a job. Then one day in a fit of anger and frustration over the whole sorry state of affairs I decided to phone KLM and to my amazement after 7 phone calls of hanging up on "that pa to the chief pilot" so she diddnt think I was a stalker I finally managed to get through to him and get an interview!
Sat the sim ride and passed, offered a position on the F50 "great cracked it" "youll probably start in september" said KLM, for the sharp ones among you the next line will come
as no surprise
Bloody SEPT 11th
Waited another year only for KLM to be reorganised and 12, yes 12 guys including myself to be chopped for the hold pool. My world collapsed
That point was definately the lowest of my five year struggle, my job gone. Now you are probably thinking surely he diddnt apply to just one company, no i would send 100 cvs every 6 months without fail make numerous phone calls to airlines charter co's you name it.
It then paid of again, I landed a job flying a photographer around the country, This was great 900 hours in six months but the down side is that i spent it with the most anti social aggressive arse ive ever had the displeasure to know But I stuck at it.
I progressed to working single crew and then to running the pilots for the owner YES IT IS THE COMPANY YOU THINK
This point will become clear at the end!!!
Still sending cvs and applying, making the calls and all that jazz untill eight months ago I passed selection for BACX and today i am finally two days away form starting my course and the rest of my career.
Now my main point here is dont dont dont ever give up I kept going against all the odds, there have been many a time when I questioned why i persued it, normally the bank statements decided that
, but in truth it has always been my dream and I wasnt going to fail at any cost. It has finally paid off and I am grinning from ear to ear and to top it all of I started to get offers and interviews with other airlines now.I refer back to my point about my position with my previous company:
1. I have interviewed people who never even bothered to put on a tie and make an effort, Sorry harsh i know but they lost the job the minute they walked through the door.
2. I employed guys who were IR qualified and scared to fly s/e ifr
3. Guys I checked out that couldnt fly a kite . must keep current
4. Guys who thought the job was below them, and that nice shinny jet job was just around the corner(one pilot complaining about being unemployed and when offered a position as a favour to a friend, without interview said no thanks )still unemployed.
Now The way I see the job market at the moment is as follows, It seems to favour every pilot group except those with 2/3 year old licences and no hours, only now after a year of steady recruitment are guys in the charter/current flying practice/instructors/1000hour pilots getting jobs as part of the norm.
Nobody can afford to sit on there arse and wait for a nice glamourus tp/jet job first off. Take what ever you can and do as much as you can no matter what the flying is work your way up and above all dont ever doubt yourself, keep plugging away, and i know we have all heard it before and thought "yeah right" It will pay off in the end.
I hope this gives you all a bit of hope and encouragement and that all the wannabees in the forum will take heed of the points i made, you have to raise your game and gain the edge over Jo Bloggs.
regards views
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i think you mis-understood that point.
single pilot job flying a photographer to single pilot taking the pictures is a big progression, any pilot can fly around vfr all day not all can use a camera and maintain control of a/c by primarily secondary controls at the same time.
Gives you a greater feel and understanding of the a/c and IMHO makes yu a better hands on pilot.
single pilot job flying a photographer to single pilot taking the pictures is a big progression, any pilot can fly around vfr all day not all can use a camera and maintain control of a/c by primarily secondary controls at the same time.
Gives you a greater feel and understanding of the a/c and IMHO makes yu a better hands on pilot.
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I just have to post
How can we go from a great, inspirational post about how all the hard work can really pay off, to a post about the standard of some ones lookout!
Skyviews came on here to give everyone a bully up and a bit of encouragement. He’s taken the time to post about his experiences both good and bad so that when were finding it tough feel like giving up we can see the light!
Sometimes I think PPrune's a joke, when I joined a few years ago I’m sure there was less sniping and more encouragement.
Cheers Skyviews for your post, I still have a long way to go and every now and then a good bit of news like this is a great bit of encouragement.
Enjoy your new job and all the best!
Buster
How can we go from a great, inspirational post about how all the hard work can really pay off, to a post about the standard of some ones lookout!
Skyviews came on here to give everyone a bully up and a bit of encouragement. He’s taken the time to post about his experiences both good and bad so that when were finding it tough feel like giving up we can see the light!
Sometimes I think PPrune's a joke, when I joined a few years ago I’m sure there was less sniping and more encouragement.
Cheers Skyviews for your post, I still have a long way to go and every now and then a good bit of news like this is a great bit of encouragement.
Enjoy your new job and all the best!
Buster
Join Date: Mar 1999
Posts: 363
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Congrats skyview!!! Nice of you to take the time to post your experience. Taken in the spirit posted, must be some inspiration to the dedicated job seekers. I guess the rest will just be bramble pickers or babysitters!
