flight crew courses

[blueskiesup]

Would it stand out more on the CV if you have completed flight-crew courses e.g. ditching, first aid, fire training. Just wondered ??.

[inner]

If i was you i would put these things on your cv.

A few months ago i had to chance to follow a groundcourse for the embraer. I put this on my cv. A months weeks later when i did an interview, the first thing they asked and noticed was about this groundcourse.

It shows that you are really interested in aviation.

Go for it!!!!

[blueskiesup]

many thanks, there's a course at gatwick that i might try.

[SpanwiseGlow]

Blueskiesup,

It certainly wouldn't hurt but be aware it will probably be a requirement when you join an Airline to do all of those mentioned anyway - it would enhance your CV but if cost is an issue I would not do them all but maybe 1 or 2. The First Aid course would make a good one to do and maybe a CRM course (this is not an MCC course as many belief on here).

Before I got my first job (a few years back now) I had similar thoughts but in the end I decided to use the extra money to add Multi time which was far more beneficial.

I got my first job (ATR) with 275 hours TT but 75 hours Multi which was one of the factors when viewing my CV over and above the others.

Food for thought and the best of luck mate.

SpanwiseGlow.

[blueskiesup]

thanks for your comments spanwiseglow

[On speed on profile]

In all the companies I have worked for. They put me through these courses again and again. It is not worth your time and money and would actually be quite expensive.

Food for thought: The MCC came about because wanabees "back in the day" were trying to get ahead by showing airlines they had already done what they were going to have to do anyway. Just as you are thinking now. This lead to FTO's buying sims to do the MCC to cater for the increased demand. The CAA then decided to say MCC's could only be done by airlines but the FTO's with their new sims all cried blue murder and forced the CAA to add the MCC as a training requirment, thus cementing the requirement for wanabees to fork out for this off their own back.

This is exactly what will happen to the standard aircrew courses if you decide to do them yourselves!!!

If you want my advice, unless your applying to a very small operator who has very small margins, dont waste your time. Big companies wont care one little bit but you might make it harder for those newbees later on in life! In my last interview, I had them listed on my CV but it made no difference. They didnt ask me about them, they didnt ask for the certificates and they just put me through every single course!

Bluskies, No offence intended and I am sure your ideas are in the right place but the sooner people like you say, NO, I have spent enough money, the better it will get for everyone! At what point is it too much? £30k, £50k......£100k .

OSOP

[blueskiesup]

OSOP,

Thanks for your own experinces, i didn't realise that they were that expensive. I have emailed a company, just for interest sake though.
I do agree totaly that you shouldn't have to fork out more than you have too, but on the flip side, if you're desparate to get yourself on the first rung especially if you're in the mid-thirties, needs must.

[SpanwiseGlow]

Blueskies,

I do sympathise with you, it is a toughy - by people constantly "raising the bar" on what is required of an applicant it does make it tougher for the later applicants as well as more costly and it obviously has added to the reduced T&Cs that we are experiencing across the industry - but then you as the individual want to be that little bit more attractive.

However, to answer your question as I said earlier - it would not hurt but I do think that the money would be better used to get more quality flying hours. If money is an issue then use what you have budgeted to stay current - it would be a horrible situation to have those courses behind you but let your IR etc lapse.

As regards to be "older" and getting your first rung of the ladder - before you fork more money out make sure ALL your bases are covered ie:

1) Have you got a first class CV?
2) When you apply, do you do so in a structured way and tailored to that company ie not a "round robin" letter?
3) Do you follow up each application, say a month later with a second cover letter expressing your continued interest?
4) Do you / have you networked? Many will tell you how valuable this is.
5) Have you gained experience in the aviation field? ie if you are not working consider dispatching for an airline etc.
6) Does your CV express the multitude of transferable skills that you offer?
7) Have you had your CV looked at professionally?

I could go on.

This is advice that has been handed out ad nauseum on here but I guarantee you that 90% of people do not utilise it.

Start structuring your applications - run a spread sheet on all you have applied to including names dates etc and following everything up at regular intervals and not with the same letter.

A friend of mine got a job (albeit his second one) after receiving a PFO letter, he wrote back thanking them and included his updated CV - guess what, he was called for interview.

Anyway, there is my life story - I hope it helps. Best of luck.

SpanwiseGlow.

[blueskiesup]

spanwiseglow,

Thanks for the detailed reply, it was very usefull. I do work part-time as an instructor and we "put aside what i earn" for rainy days such as I/R renewals etc, so money isn't really an object.
I've tried ringing operators but if i don't get them after the third attempt I tend to leave it, as I reckon i'm stalking them.
Initialy i went for every man jack and his dog, but realised that the market has a rich bag of wanabe pilots, so i'm concentrating on the more realistic chances, turboprop etc.
Many thanks for the info.

[VS-LHRCSA]

Blueskies

This might be an off the wall idea but hear me out. Have you considered doing a season as cabin crew?

All of the courses that you mentioned would be covered and you would be earning instead of paying out.

Anyway, it's just an idea.