There are jobs out there - it can be done.
Supercharged PPRuNer
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There are jobs out there - it can be done.
This forum can sometimes be a very gloomy place, and given the current economic outlook, the prophets of doom will probably get even louder. That is why I want to post something positive for a change.
I am 36, with just over 200 hours TT. Seven years after my trial lesson, and three months after finishing the IR, I have just been offered a job on a state of the art turboprop - without having to pay for a type rating.
To be honest I am still in a state of shock - it feels like all my birthdays, Christmases and winning the lottery - but when I get a chance I will post the full story of how I got from a starry-eyed zero-hours wannabe to my first job. My inspiration for this is Pilot Pete who did something similar a few years back, and whose story helped motivate me through some of the tougher times.
My reason for posting is not to gloat or try and impress anyone. I have been a wannabe for so long that it often felt like an impossible dream, and several times I have been close to giving up. I just want to make the point that it is possible, even at my age and (lack of) experience, to find a great job with a great company. If that helps someone else decide to stick at it and not abandon their dream, I will be very happy.
Keep the faith guys - put in the effort, don't give up and you will make it in the end.
I am 36, with just over 200 hours TT. Seven years after my trial lesson, and three months after finishing the IR, I have just been offered a job on a state of the art turboprop - without having to pay for a type rating.
To be honest I am still in a state of shock - it feels like all my birthdays, Christmases and winning the lottery - but when I get a chance I will post the full story of how I got from a starry-eyed zero-hours wannabe to my first job. My inspiration for this is Pilot Pete who did something similar a few years back, and whose story helped motivate me through some of the tougher times.
My reason for posting is not to gloat or try and impress anyone. I have been a wannabe for so long that it often felt like an impossible dream, and several times I have been close to giving up. I just want to make the point that it is possible, even at my age and (lack of) experience, to find a great job with a great company. If that helps someone else decide to stick at it and not abandon their dream, I will be very happy.
Keep the faith guys - put in the effort, don't give up and you will make it in the end.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Congratulations!!! I look forward to seeing your post on how you got there.
There are probably thousands of wannabes who'd love to be in your position ... I'm one of them.
There are probably thousands of wannabes who'd love to be in your position ... I'm one of them.
Join Date: Jun 2005
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congratulations!
Also from your username am I right in assuming your car has a G-Lader fitted?
at least on an airline pilot salary you can afford to get it rebuilt now! (or even upgraded!)
well done!
Also from your username am I right in assuming your car has a G-Lader fitted?
at least on an airline pilot salary you can afford to get it rebuilt now! (or even upgraded!)
well done!
PPRuNe Handmaiden
Onya! Very pleased for you.
Very pleased for you.
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Thanks guys, much appreciated.
tom775257
Close, but not Belfast . . . (Not that Belfast isn't a great place).
combineharvester
Alas, the G-Lader is no more, it was savaged by a van a few years back. I drive a boring diesel these days.
Reddo
Look forward to trying out some of your 'zen' techniques on the line.
tom775257
Close, but not Belfast . . . (Not that Belfast isn't a great place).
combineharvester
Alas, the G-Lader is no more, it was savaged by a van a few years back. I drive a boring diesel these days.
Reddo
Look forward to trying out some of your 'zen' techniques on the line.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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This is encouraging, and nice to see someone buck the doom and gloom trend.
At 38 and being married with family, I'm about to embark on a change of career from IT and will be leaving my family to go integrated, I'm excited, terrified, and dread leaving the kids. But it's nice to see some positivity which spurs me on.
Thank you.
At 38 and being married with family, I'm about to embark on a change of career from IT and will be leaving my family to go integrated, I'm excited, terrified, and dread leaving the kids. But it's nice to see some positivity which spurs me on.
Thank you.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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G Sxty
Well done.
Exactly the same as me. I got my first job at 36 (last june. On a big modern fast turbo prop).
I had to wait three years to get the job. Two of those years instructing.
Anyone who says that age is not an issue for most airlines is an idiot. With or without the shiny new laws. I have heard many airline training captains say that the general opinion of thier HR dept. is that you are not trainable after 30 years of age. Dopey
!
So, well done for getting the job and for fighting through some ridiculous prejudices (if you have) and good luck.
Exactly the same as me. I got my first job at 36 (last june. On a big modern fast turbo prop).
I had to wait three years to get the job. Two of those years instructing.
Anyone who says that age is not an issue for most airlines is an idiot. With or without the shiny new laws. I have heard many airline training captains say that the general opinion of thier HR dept. is that you are not trainable after 30 years of age. Dopey
!So, well done for getting the job and for fighting through some ridiculous prejudices (if you have) and good luck.
Join Date: Jun 1999
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G-SXTY,
Very well done mate, its a great feeling huh? Enjoy your new career, I am pretty new to the job myself, and still loving every minute of it, even when crewing do put me on the early Amsterdams
.
All the best and enjoy it.
Very well done mate, its a great feeling huh? Enjoy your new career, I am pretty new to the job myself, and still loving every minute of it, even when crewing do put me on the early Amsterdams
.All the best and enjoy it
.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Congrats! That is fantastic to hear, you always read people abusing the industry but hearing some good news for once is fantastic and gives us wanna be's a bit more hope!
Looking forward to reading your story
Looking forward to reading your story
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Welcome aboard!
There is however lots to learn so I suggest you work hard.
Each captain you fly with will have lots of tips, tricks and ideas that I am sure they will be more than happy to share with you (and if they don't, just ask). Stuff that they have figured out through trial and error over many years of flying. These are things you probably won't find in any text book or manual. I strongly suggest you write these down, it is an invaluable source of data.
Keep notes of any peculiarities regarding the airports you fly to as well. Not everything is in the approach plates. If you do this, then each airport will have less surprises when you visit them again, which makes your life easier.
I also suggest you write yourself a small checklist of all the non-flying related things you have to do in your job, and the order in which you do them. This could be anything from checking weather, getting load figures from ops, calculating duty times, calculating fuel and all the other paper work you have to do before/during/after flight. It is easy to forget things when you are tired.
And don't worry, nobody expects you to be 100% perfect just after line check, you never stop learning in this job.
The more confident you become, the more fun it gets!
Good luck with your new career!
There is however lots to learn so I suggest you work hard.
Each captain you fly with will have lots of tips, tricks and ideas that I am sure they will be more than happy to share with you (and if they don't, just ask). Stuff that they have figured out through trial and error over many years of flying. These are things you probably won't find in any text book or manual. I strongly suggest you write these down, it is an invaluable source of data.
Keep notes of any peculiarities regarding the airports you fly to as well. Not everything is in the approach plates. If you do this, then each airport will have less surprises when you visit them again, which makes your life easier.
I also suggest you write yourself a small checklist of all the non-flying related things you have to do in your job, and the order in which you do them. This could be anything from checking weather, getting load figures from ops, calculating duty times, calculating fuel and all the other paper work you have to do before/during/after flight. It is easy to forget things when you are tired.
And don't worry, nobody expects you to be 100% perfect just after line check, you never stop learning in this job.
The more confident you become, the more fun it gets!
Good luck with your new career!
Supercharged PPRuNer
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Thanks again for all the kind comments. Brainstorm - great advice.
The more I learn, the more I realise there is to learn - if you see what I mean!
The more I learn, the more I realise there is to learn - if you see what I mean!
Last edited by G SXTY; 13th Feb 2008 at 20:36.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
zen techniques? Did I have a drink in my hand? If so, ignore every thing I said. 
Good advice re the "top tip" book.
Good advice re the "top tip" book.
