4 years on...
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Norwich
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I started with CTC in Sept 2004, which led to a good airline job in July 2006. Been flying shorthaul for 4 and a half years now and absolutely loving it. Love the job/lifestyle and the company I work for.
Off to longhaul this year to see what thats all about!
Must say though, all the selection procedures that I've been through and passed have in no small measure been due to guys posting about their experiences on here. I found this website an excellent source of information on what to expect and how to deal with it, throughout my journey to becoming a pilot.
So many thanks to everyone on here who shares their experiences!
Off to longhaul this year to see what thats all about!
Must say though, all the selection procedures that I've been through and passed have in no small measure been due to guys posting about their experiences on here. I found this website an excellent source of information on what to expect and how to deal with it, throughout my journey to becoming a pilot.
So many thanks to everyone on here who shares their experiences!
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manchester
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this is what you believe, you friends have been kicked out, looking for job, replaced by P2F pilots.
when did you hear about them? 3 years ago, where?
I dont know if you live in the same word as mine, but in my word, 80% of pilots I know are unemployed, lost their job, and now sit at home.
when did you hear about them? 3 years ago, where?
I dont know if you live in the same word as mine, but in my word, 80% of pilots I know are unemployed, lost their job, and now sit at home.
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: In the SIM
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Shrimps,
I know a few people that have had bad luck, and it has already been specified, dont give up mate. When you are sitting there in the sharp end of that jet with 89 tons bolted to your ass, it will all have been worth it, believe me.
Keep at it mate.
Good stories guys, and I am glad that a few wannabees are finding it a good read, and is inspirational.
Take care chaps and chapesses.
I know a few people that have had bad luck, and it has already been specified, dont give up mate. When you are sitting there in the sharp end of that jet with 89 tons bolted to your ass, it will all have been worth it, believe me.
Keep at it mate
.Good stories guys, and I am glad that a few wannabees are finding it a good read, and is inspirational.
Take care chaps and chapesses.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: UK
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To echo a bit of Shrimp's story...
I left a quite good air taxi job in Canada at the beginning of 2007 to convert my CAN licence back to JAA. That took me a little over a year including ground school. The conversion was quite enjoyable, a bit tough at times, but having had a lot of recent air taxi time in wintery Canada, I was well on my game in light twins.
I came out of conversion training in spring 2008, and that's where the music rapidly stopped playing...I had an interview for a TP operator, and it was just on the brink of the downturn. In a matter of months, I went from confident optimism to severe worry. The TP operator interview went well, but naturally they put every one in a hold pool.
In the mean time I have renewed ratings, kept current, done some light para work and tried to keep my finger on the pulse. The toughest thing is seeing my compatriots back in Canada - nearly all of whom are now progessing nicely and flying medium jets or large TP's. I think the phrase "kicking myself" would apply well here....
On the flipside, I met the love of my life when I returned to the UK, so that was a good thing and I am now happily married - albeit working in an office job for full time work (for now)
I have really never contemplated paying for a TR - firstly and most importantly b/c I could never finance it. Also, gone are the days of rapidly relocating for any old light a/c flying job on a lowish salary - married life brings a degree of responsibility and commitment.
I just keep crossing my fingers that sooner or later I will get that hold pool call, or something else will come up (without having to pay for a TR or fly a piston twin based 200 miles away from home!)
I left a quite good air taxi job in Canada at the beginning of 2007 to convert my CAN licence back to JAA. That took me a little over a year including ground school. The conversion was quite enjoyable, a bit tough at times, but having had a lot of recent air taxi time in wintery Canada, I was well on my game in light twins.
I came out of conversion training in spring 2008, and that's where the music rapidly stopped playing...I had an interview for a TP operator, and it was just on the brink of the downturn. In a matter of months, I went from confident optimism to severe worry. The TP operator interview went well, but naturally they put every one in a hold pool.
In the mean time I have renewed ratings, kept current, done some light para work and tried to keep my finger on the pulse. The toughest thing is seeing my compatriots back in Canada - nearly all of whom are now progessing nicely and flying medium jets or large TP's. I think the phrase "kicking myself" would apply well here....
On the flipside, I met the love of my life when I returned to the UK, so that was a good thing and I am now happily married - albeit working in an office job for full time work (for now)
I have really never contemplated paying for a TR - firstly and most importantly b/c I could never finance it. Also, gone are the days of rapidly relocating for any old light a/c flying job on a lowish salary - married life brings a degree of responsibility and commitment.
I just keep crossing my fingers that sooner or later I will get that hold pool call, or something else will come up (without having to pay for a TR or fly a piston twin based 200 miles away from home!)
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: ireland
Age: 43
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Your arse weights about 89 tonnes anyway CAT3C. Probably all that curry. And you still cannot spell
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: In the SIM
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Average Bloke, I was just waiting for you to surface your ugly head, I havent had a curry for 6 dam weeks!!
Sin Bin, saw CAPT S yesterday, thought we may have beers in February, dont worry, it will me more than 2
. And I must congratulate Sin Bin on his recent achievement, well done uncle Nigel .
Sin Bin, saw CAPT S yesterday, thought we may have beers in February, dont worry, it will me more than 2
. And I must congratulate Sin Bin on his recent achievement, well done uncle Nigel .
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: England
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love it when one says one cannot spell, yet one cannot spell oneself
I wondered why Diwan-e-Kas was all boarded up.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: at the whim of people I've never met
Age: 46
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After several PM's, here is the information I have on the HMRC tax break. Beware - it is not easy to get, otherwise everyone would do it!
HMRC
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...stage-2-a.html
HMRC
http://www.pprune.org/professional-p...stage-2-a.html
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: UK
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Four years on, I've had two full-time flying jobs, a bit of ad hoc work and quite a bit of SEP instructing. First job, with a very respectable outfit, paid a salary from day one and gave me a free turboprop type rating but it was a short term contract for a specific purpose. Second job lasted almost a year and a half before redundancy. The ad hoc work was offered by an old contact and instructing has always been a good fallback in lean times.
midnight cruiser mentions several things that I recognise..."bottom of the barrel outfit", "egotistical pricks", "lack of meritocracy", "standards..can be shockingly low, even for upgrades".
Aviation is not a good career but I'm still trying to make the best of it.
midnight cruiser mentions several things that I recognise..."bottom of the barrel outfit", "egotistical pricks", "lack of meritocracy", "standards..can be shockingly low, even for upgrades".
Aviation is not a good career but I'm still trying to make the best of it.
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Join Date: Jun 1999
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Cav, I will never be as good as you sir. Your sky god like qualities, ability to teach 10b (ii), and landing the PA34 at Goodwood in 20kt crosswinds belittle me . I just cannot compete.
. I just cannot compete.
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: North West, UK
Age: 56
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Landed that dream job with Thomson April 2007 and did 3 wonderful years on the 737 based at Manchester. Got made redunant with 100 other pilots back in April 2010 and most of us came to the Middle East. I was meant to be going onto the 777 but got switched to the 320 fleet when I got here. Sat around since about May until Dec waiting for training and now halfway through line training and very happy chappy. Can't speak for everyone
The job market is picking up and I think its never been as good a time as it is now to be going through training. As for paying for type ratings before being offered a job, sorry, but your killing it. If you have a firm job offer, then thats dif and you have to grab it with both hands and get on the ladder ASAP
The job market is picking up and I think its never been as good a time as it is now to be going through training. As for paying for type ratings before being offered a job, sorry, but your killing it. If you have a firm job offer, then thats dif and you have to grab it with both hands and get on the ladder ASAP
Last edited by EGCC4284; 5th Feb 2011 at 13:04.
