airlines recruiting low houred guys (250-400 hrs) ish!

[chipieflyer]

WX Man and FlyingNikonian:

Aerial survey, air taxi flying and the route you describe is precisely the type of flying that appeals to me but I'm struggling to find contacts for aerial survey companies at the moment. I've spoken to a couple, but just too late at one and nothing more postitive from the others. Is there much demand for this type of work or is it a case of right time, right place?

Cheers.

[FlyingNikonian]

Aerial photography, which is what I happen to have some experience with, have mainly been on a "side-show" basis. People call me up and ask if can take pic's of their houses/businesses.
Have even done the odd air-to-air job. Which have been really cool. Haven't been flying myself on those occasions though!

Air-taxi is, I suppose, just a matter of being at the right place at the right time. Hasn't happened to me yet. Although I have done a decent amount of freight flying for my current employer.

[redsnail]

Tactics, strategy, research and effort.

I gather you folks know that the CAA imposes a limit on the number of low houred guys an airline can have at any one time? This is to keep the experience level right. Also does keep the insurance premiums managable.
You might be thinking, so what?

Tactics and strategy. Airline "X" has employed low houred guys in the past eg 2 years ago but is now only hiring experienced guys. My punt is that this airline will soon hire low houred folks. Reason, inexp/exp ratio is ok for the UK CAA.

Airline "Y" has been hiring a lot of low houred guys. Do you think that this will continue or will it stop soon? My bet it will stop soon and while it's fine to throw in a CV, just don't expect a miracle.

Which airline is expanding? Read Flight International and look for ads for engineers and sim instructors. They're the ones expanding.

Air Charter, taxi and aerial work? These sort of operations tend to happen in the smaller airports. Biggin Hill, Bristol (both of them) Gloucester, Luton, Cambridge, Lon City, Coventry and so on. You'll have to get in your car and visit these places. Be ultra polite and get yourself known. If you're handy to the airport and are flexible you can pick up RHS work etc. It's up to you to chase down these jobs. They certainly will not advertise.

If you want to work in GA or get a start in GA you'll need to do some work on the airfield washing aircraft or whatever. Work in ops, hangars etc. to get yourself known. Get an instructor's certificate and work on the field that does have an active GA scene.

What is vital is to keep your IR scan up to speed. Use a flight sim (desk top computer such as Elite). Be nice. Be seen. Be bloody keen.

[Pilot Pete]

Originally Posted by machlimter99

Am I missing something, but I thought that Thomsonfly, to quote from their site needed experienced FOs:
"First Officers wishing to apply must have 1500 hours total time to include either 500 hours jet experience or 1000 turbo hours. 737/757 Type Rated First Officers may apply with a minimum of 300 hours line experience".
Howcome people are getting to the interview stage/sim ride if they dont meet this requirment??

Right. For all those who are proclaiming it has something to do with integrated etc - WRONG. Pure speculation from people who have no idea and who are guessing.

The first rule to remember in trying to get your first job is to RESEARCH your target airlines. Rule two is to NEVER BELIEVE WEBSITES, even the airline's own. Even more so when it comes to minimum number of hours required to apply. Your researchg should reveal whether said airline has a track record of hiring pilots with less hours than that stated. Thomsonfly is one such of those airlines. Their website asks for their 'wish list' and does not mean that they will not employ you (or even offer you selection) if you don't have those hours. During these 'frantic' hiring times they simply do not have the manpower or time to update the website instantaneously, hence it is often well out of date. Until earlier this year I seem to recall it was about 2 years since the recruitment page had been updated at all, during which time they had recruited 200hr, 2000hr and even direct entry captains!

Also bear in mind that the recruitment situation can and does change on a monthly, or weekly or sometimes even on a DAILY basis. So Toastal your comment

I thought that TFLY were only recruiting FOs at the mo, not SOs! OR my dear friends, is there a "back door entry" into this company for those who don't meet the above requirements?

proves that you are not keeping your research up to date (if you are trying to join Tfly that is). They WERE only recruiting F/Os a matter of weeks ago, but they ARE recruiting S/Os this week. FACT. I know a few people who do not meet the website stated entry requirements who have selection later this week.

I can't quite believe that some people don't apply to certain airlines because they 'heard' they weren't meeting minimum requirements etc. PHONE THEM UP AND ASK! I know someone who followed my advice to phone earlier this week because he had heard nothing and has been offered stage one on Friday.

How much do you want a job? Lecture over.

PP

[machlimter99]

Thanks PP that has cleared that up. Just sometimes comes over on these websites that they ONLY take people with certain hours or experience. Point taken thanks!

[wobblyprop]

Why are Tfly recruiting low hours guys? i suspect because we can't fill the seats with FOs and SOs are cheaper , but then I am a complete cynic

[papazulu]

The first rule to remember in trying to get your first job is to RESEARCH your target airlines. Rule two is to NEVER BELIEVE WEBSITES, even the airline's own. Even more so when it comes to minimum number of hours required to apply. Your researchg should reveal whether said airline has a track record of hiring pilots with less hours than that stated.

I agree but I wonder how you can apply for those who don't accept mailed CV but just online forms.

I can't quite believe that some people don't apply to certain airlines because they 'heard' they weren't meeting minimum requirements etc. PHONE THEM UP AND ASK! I know someone who followed my advice to phone earlier this week because he had heard nothing and has been offered stage one on Friday.

I agree again but quiet often you need to reach the guy who really knows the matter. Receptionists most of the time are not well informed...

Finally: how important would be to have a UK address for a foreign low-timer? Do UK operators consider overseas candidates in the manner as Brits when it comes to out-of-minima selections?

Kind regards

PZ

[Pizzaro]

Is it true that the CAA look at the inexperienced/experienced ratios of pilots within an airline?

[Lucifer]

Originally Posted by papazulu

Do UK operators consider overseas candidates in the manner as Brits when it comes to out-of-minima selections?

Of course - all EU candidates are equally considered. That is the law.

[Phil Brockwell]

Of course all EU nationalities are considered equally......except the Portugese.

[FlyingNikonian]

Originally Posted by Phil Brockwell

Of course all EU nationalities are considered equally......except the Portugese.

Not all of them are actors you know!

Originally Posted by Lucifer

Of course - all EU candidates are equally considered. That is the law.

Speed-limit signs are also the the law, but nobody seems to mind them.....

Seriously though, I've applied to a few UK companys and a couple of them have spelled it right out to me; -"You're not living in the UK at present time, so unfortunately we can't take you on." The thing is, they know it takes some time to get settled in, in a new environment, before you can focus 100% on whatever tasks they hand you. So for them it's really just a way of making sure that the guy/girl they hire can start producing to full capacity right away. I don't think they do it just p*ss non-UK folks off.

EDIT: Just had a new PFO-mail. This time from Globespan. But I must say it was one of the nicer ones I had! They actually encouraged me to stay in touch.
Anyway,...just goes to show,....a 737-rating whithout time on type is pretty useless.

[the goon]

the aviator1977 - I know of someone who got into Netjets recently onto the Falcon 2000 with about 800hrs F/ATPL. More info? PM me

[captwannabe]

FlyingNikonian,

If you have a Scottish address, but are applying to an English-based airline, would you be told the same thing? Would it be much of an advantage if applying for Scottish airlines?

[CPL_Ace]

PILOT PETE AND TFLY

Although I was not lucky enough to be lectured in person by Pilot Pete, I took it upon myself to ring TFly after I had sent the application on their web site (The one that gave the minimum requirements which I did not have - I did it anyway, why not it's not illegal!)

The nice lady pulled out my application from the pile and informed me that they are recruiting F/os and are filling the gaps with low hours pilots like ME!

2 of my friends did the same. One starts on the 757 out of Cardiff after Type and Line and the other is waiting for a call back after stage one. Me? I'm waiting confidently for the call for stage 1.

First Choice are doing the same as of Friday. They actually do specify the hours but say they'll take exceptional Low hours pilots - Like ME!

Many have turned me down out right on the phone including MyTravel (who sent me a 2 page letter explaining why and a request to see me after I have logged the 500 hours) and GB Airways. Monarch are the same but again they weren't nasty when I asked.

[Kak Klaxon]

Guys I am moving house at the moment,in the loft I found an old pilots bag and in it were all my old rejection letters from the early 1990s,one from just about every operator round then (who the hell were Airworld?).

Anyway I am now a training capt with 10000 hours and all those CVs are just a distant nightmare along with the ATPLs etc.

Dont give up hope,if a fool like me can get on then you will too.

[sicky]

Ace - what exactly differentiates an exceptional low hours pilot from a non-exceptional low hours pilot? Not trying to pick faults or anything, it's a genuine question.

[Tuned In]

Wx Man

Not important at all. I have a friend who was interviewed by Thompson from my modular school, without any recommendation. He passed everything but unfortunately they had made a mistake in interviewing him, and really wanted more hours. He was advised in the end to come back with 500. Always pays to apply anyway, even without the requirements - got me my current job.

[Wicked shimmy]

Anyone else applied to Thomson and received an email from HR saying they are not recruiting SO at the moment & they’ll keep your details on file for six months? I got mine today

[Pilot Pete]

Originally Posted by Kak Klaxon

Anyway I am now a training capt with 10000 hours and all those CVs are just a distant nightmare along with the ATPLs etc.

So true. A mate of mine used his reject letters as wallpaper in his downstairs loo, just to remind him how hard getting his first job was and to let all his 'acquaintances' (non aviation) know that he was not 'lucky' to be a pilot....

PP

[pushapproved]

Wicked Shimmy...Me too!