Importance of career prior to becoming a pilot?
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Importance of career prior to becoming a pilot?
Hello
I'm in my early thirties, and I will try to become an airline pilot in the next five years. I'm currently working in a fairly average job, with no leadership responsibilities. I've seen an advert for Police Communications Officers, who take 999 calls, and have to demonstrate the ability to remain calm under pressure. Would this look good on my future pilot application, or would a
shoveller job be just as good?
Thanks for your time
I'm in my early thirties, and I will try to become an airline pilot in the next five years. I'm currently working in a fairly average job, with no leadership responsibilities. I've seen an advert for Police Communications Officers, who take 999 calls, and have to demonstrate the ability to remain calm under pressure. Would this look good on my future pilot application, or would a
shoveller job be just as good?Thanks for your time
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to be honest your previous career is not particularly important. I know a guy who has just gone from a desk job out to Flight Training Europe to train as a pilot. The job you mention sounds good as a fairly common question at interview is something like, "tell me about a time you had to use your communication skills to resolve a problem." The job would certainly show that you have the ability to work under pressure. Perhaps find a part time job washing aircraft or even volunteering at your local flying club to prove your passion for aviation.
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I agree It does not really have any major advantage what you do before you do your licences.
I would suggest, Try and work in a customer role, A job where you are talking & using your brain at the same time - multitasking jobs.
A job where you are concentrating at your maximum, Using your memory to 'digest' information quickly.
Being involved in GA - General Aviation helps, But some Airlines now seem to be 'anti - GA'
At the end of the day nobody knows the answer really, To this question.
Best Of Luck.
I would suggest, Try and work in a customer role, A job where you are talking & using your brain at the same time - multitasking jobs.
A job where you are concentrating at your maximum, Using your memory to 'digest' information quickly.
Being involved in GA - General Aviation helps, But some Airlines now seem to be 'anti - GA'
At the end of the day nobody knows the answer really, To this question.
Best Of Luck.
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I wouldn't worry too much, at least thats what I keep telling myself.
I graduated over a year ago and I'm in a job that is in no way related to the airline industry. - city girl in london. I guess whats important is that I can mention things in my job that will relate to being a pilot. I.e like you said, remaing calm under pressure, multi tasking, talking to people.
I wouldn't worry about it. But if you really are a sh!t shoveller, then it doesn't show much ambition! hehe.
xxx
I graduated over a year ago and I'm in a job that is in no way related to the airline industry. - city girl in london. I guess whats important is that I can mention things in my job that will relate to being a pilot. I.e like you said, remaing calm under pressure, multi tasking, talking to people.
I wouldn't worry about it. But if you really are a sh!t shoveller, then it doesn't show much ambition! hehe.
xxx
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I wouldn't at all agree with the previous posts.
A future employer is going to try to assess your ability in the future through what you have done in the past. A strong previous career is a definate assest to you and would give the potential employer a feel for the type of person you are.
If you have spent several years working in Macky Dees when you are +30 prior to training then think again.
If however you have done vocational work, something out of the ordinary or exciting it will give the interviewer something to question you on and bring out the real you.
If however you are satisfied re-locating poo then go ahead. I am just a little suprised somebody even asking the question in their 30's would consider a flying career.
Unless you want to fly rubber dog poo out of Hong Kong?
A future employer is going to try to assess your ability in the future through what you have done in the past. A strong previous career is a definate assest to you and would give the potential employer a feel for the type of person you are.
If you have spent several years working in Macky Dees when you are +30 prior to training then think again.
If however you have done vocational work, something out of the ordinary or exciting it will give the interviewer something to question you on and bring out the real you.
If however you are satisfied re-locating poo then go ahead. I am just a little suprised somebody even asking the question in their 30's would consider a flying career.
Unless you want to fly rubber dog poo out of Hong Kong?
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Here are my thoughts. I don't claim to be correct, these are just my opinions.
A lot of airlines care very little on what you've done, all they really care about is the flying experience you have and that you're the kind of guy who can do the job they're interviewing for.
I'd say, if you're going to do this, look into how you can afford to do it full-time starting as soon as you can. You'll be, lets say, 32 when you're qualified, and could perhaps instruct on weekends or whatever to build some more experience. Then airlines should start taking notice to your CV.
Or, take this job, and do all the same training and be ready when you're 37. I think to some airlines there's a great difference between the ages of early 30s and late 30s. They wouldn't admit that of course.
Anyway, just my thoughts, all the best with the decisions you make.
A lot of airlines care very little on what you've done, all they really care about is the flying experience you have and that you're the kind of guy who can do the job they're interviewing for.
I'd say, if you're going to do this, look into how you can afford to do it full-time starting as soon as you can. You'll be, lets say, 32 when you're qualified, and could perhaps instruct on weekends or whatever to build some more experience. Then airlines should start taking notice to your CV.
Or, take this job, and do all the same training and be ready when you're 37. I think to some airlines there's a great difference between the ages of early 30s and late 30s. They wouldn't admit that of course.
Anyway, just my thoughts, all the best with the decisions you make.
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"Unless you want to fly rubber dog poo out of Hong Kong?"
I thought you only get to do that if you do an un-authorised fly-past in an F-14!!! - gosh I love that film!
I still think the career isn't "too" important. but up to a serious point- of course, if you are a Mcdonalds person in your 30's or a binman, then it really shows a lack of ambition. And I don't quite agree with your incredulity of person in their 30's wanting a career change - kind of ageist.
I get quite sexist comments now at work when I tell a few of the guys my plan to be a pilot and at first its funny, but when you hear it every single day, if can get annoying.Anyway- enough of my rant. I'm moving off the point.
XXX
I thought you only get to do that if you do an un-authorised fly-past in an F-14!!! - gosh I love that film!
I still think the career isn't "too" important. but up to a serious point- of course, if you are a Mcdonalds person in your 30's or a binman, then it really shows a lack of ambition. And I don't quite agree with your incredulity of person in their 30's wanting a career change - kind of ageist.
I get quite sexist comments now at work when I tell a few of the guys my plan to be a pilot and at first its funny, but when you hear it every single day, if can get annoying.
Anyway- enough of my rant. I'm moving off the point.XXX
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Get as much cash as you can
Here is my penny's worth.
I started training at 22 after I graduated with an Engineering degree. Modular training off and on over the years. Now 28, Frozen ATPL, MCC and Instructors Rating, total time 600hours (part-time instructing). Currently working as an engineer in London earning over £35k a year. The one thing I've learnt over the years from the guys I've seen getting the jobs is either build a load of hours through instructing and I mean 1000+ with some multi time as well or fork out for a Type rating. I'm trying to cover all bases but the biggest thing you can do is get a job that will pay you the most money, aviation is bloody expensive so I would opt for a job that gives you the best earning potential and save as much as you can. Don't go working cleaning planes or loading them up, for someone with your ambition you'd be wasting time, get a better job and earn as much cash as you can to put towards your training. Future employees will be more interested in you as a person and what you can offer them and how well you did on your courses. One word of caution, there are no guarantees. Always have a contingency plan. All schools will say the market is great, and tell you you'd get a job, but do your own research and have your own plan. I have met guys who went to the BIG schools, integrated, almost £70k in debt and no job. I have always believed that there is no substitute for experience hence my approach to achieving my ambition. Too many guys want to get on the jet straight off. Don't get me wrong for some it works but for the majority it’s a hard graft.
Just my opinion and hope it helps.
Smoothk
I started training at 22 after I graduated with an Engineering degree. Modular training off and on over the years. Now 28, Frozen ATPL, MCC and Instructors Rating, total time 600hours (part-time instructing). Currently working as an engineer in London earning over £35k a year. The one thing I've learnt over the years from the guys I've seen getting the jobs is either build a load of hours through instructing and I mean 1000+ with some multi time as well or fork out for a Type rating. I'm trying to cover all bases but the biggest thing you can do is get a job that will pay you the most money, aviation is bloody expensive so I would opt for a job that gives you the best earning potential and save as much as you can. Don't go working cleaning planes or loading them up, for someone with your ambition you'd be wasting time, get a better job and earn as much cash as you can to put towards your training. Future employees will be more interested in you as a person and what you can offer them and how well you did on your courses. One word of caution, there are no guarantees. Always have a contingency plan. All schools will say the market is great, and tell you you'd get a job, but do your own research and have your own plan. I have met guys who went to the BIG schools, integrated, almost £70k in debt and no job. I have always believed that there is no substitute for experience hence my approach to achieving my ambition. Too many guys want to get on the jet straight off. Don't get me wrong for some it works but for the majority it’s a hard graft.
Just my opinion and hope it helps.
Smoothk
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Sorry you missed my point, I was trying not to be ageist.
If a lack of drive and ambition is not evident then don't even think about becoming a pilot as you need those in spades.
As someone who has had worked as a recruitment consultant in the past, I know that HR departments need something to build upon.
In addition if the chief pilot is sitting in the interview he is also thinking can I spend hours in the cockpit sitting with this chap being bored to tears about the intracracy of polish table tennis balls compared to the chinese makes.
To sit in an interview you need to be proud of what you have done (not arrogant) otherwise they will tear you to shreds.
Surely you want to make a statement about yourself, not let the interviewer make up his own mind.
By the way I am 34.
If a lack of drive and ambition is not evident then don't even think about becoming a pilot as you need those in spades.
As someone who has had worked as a recruitment consultant in the past, I know that HR departments need something to build upon.
In addition if the chief pilot is sitting in the interview he is also thinking can I spend hours in the cockpit sitting with this chap being bored to tears about the intracracy of polish table tennis balls compared to the chinese makes.
To sit in an interview you need to be proud of what you have done (not arrogant) otherwise they will tear you to shreds.
Surely you want to make a statement about yourself, not let the interviewer make up his own mind.
By the way I am 34.
