Weighing chances up north.
Thread Starter
Weighing chances up north.
Ok, so currently I hold a CPL and an MECIR with approx 270tt 16hrs of that being in a 206 and am weighing up my current options.
Currently my plan is to head to Darwin via Cairns and Townsville to see if theres anything I can get there and also will be definitely going through Katherine to try my luck as well.
I am fully aware of the situation in Kununurra and Broome so i'm not really looking for information there, what i'm looking for are peoples opinions of the Operators in Cairns and Townsville (and any others along that route, ie Mt Isa etc..) and whether you feel it is a worthwhile endevour heading through them or just cutting them out altogether.
I'm not terribly worried about time or money as I have both in sufficient amounts either course I take but if enough people in the know advise that Cairns or Townsville are not worth the hassle or even the visit then I may re-evaluate my route!
Oh and to clear things up, yes i'm driving there. Done the route from Brisbane to Darwin a few times and each time was done quickly so i'm looking to take it easy this time and give myself the best chance possible to get a first gig!
P.S Yes I know a few of you are going to spruke Kunnus and/or Broome still but I will really only consider those for maybe next year if nothing comes up by the time November comes round this year or if I got a really good vibe about a job there with my current experience.
Currently my plan is to head to Darwin via Cairns and Townsville to see if theres anything I can get there and also will be definitely going through Katherine to try my luck as well.
I am fully aware of the situation in Kununurra and Broome so i'm not really looking for information there, what i'm looking for are peoples opinions of the Operators in Cairns and Townsville (and any others along that route, ie Mt Isa etc..) and whether you feel it is a worthwhile endevour heading through them or just cutting them out altogether.
I'm not terribly worried about time or money as I have both in sufficient amounts either course I take but if enough people in the know advise that Cairns or Townsville are not worth the hassle or even the visit then I may re-evaluate my route!
Oh and to clear things up, yes i'm driving there. Done the route from Brisbane to Darwin a few times and each time was done quickly so i'm looking to take it easy this time and give myself the best chance possible to get a first gig!
P.S Yes I know a few of you are going to spruke Kunnus and/or Broome still but I will really only consider those for maybe next year if nothing comes up by the time November comes round this year or if I got a really good vibe about a job there with my current experience.
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Good luck man. You could make history as the first transvestite commercial pilot. 
Give us a call when you're in D-town. Not much happening here as yet, but there are rumblings. 
Give us a call when you're in D-town. Not much happening here as yet, but there are rumblings.
Thread Starter
Aerohooligan is indeed joking, hes probably just making such a joke in the vain attempt i'll forget the $500 he owes me...
And thanks Tempo, your probably right!!
And thanks Tempo, your probably right!!
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Ix, I did the Brisbane Cairns ect thing with your experience years ago and found it to largely to have been a wasted of money and time. You say you have enough of both so I say that it can't hurt to meet these people for future endeavours. Afterall in a year or two you may be back and will refer back to your notes re minimums names and who you met/didn't meet. You'll have a mental picture of what is available there having visited.
The other bit is that you never know when you may get lucky and walk into your first job on the east coast. Didn't happen to me but happens to others. If money and time were an issue i'd say don't bother.
Remember its the small places that noone wants to visit or live that will give you the best chance :stations, jabiru, oenpelli, ngukurr ect. You should consider broadening your net to the west coast as well. Not necessarily bme or knx (doesn't hurt to go there but don't get stuck waiting for years/months) but coastal towns and inland ****holes.
Good luck.
The other bit is that you never know when you may get lucky and walk into your first job on the east coast. Didn't happen to me but happens to others. If money and time were an issue i'd say don't bother.
Remember its the small places that noone wants to visit or live that will give you the best chance :stations, jabiru, oenpelli, ngukurr ect. You should consider broadening your net to the west coast as well. Not necessarily bme or knx (doesn't hurt to go there but don't get stuck waiting for years/months) but coastal towns and inland ****holes.
Good luck.
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J3, Ix and I go back a few years so he knows I'm joking - it's just how we roll. 
Should I ask where the Dark Side of the Moon is exactly (for the record I am old enough to know it's a Pink Floyd album )???
I take size 9 slippers J3 and Ix, I haven't forgotten. I couldn't possibly forget one more debt in the long list of debts that is a GA pilot's bank statement.
Should I ask where the Dark Side of the Moon is exactly (for the record I am old enough to know it's a Pink Floyd album )???I take size 9 slippers J3 and Ix, I haven't forgotten. I couldn't possibly forget one more debt in the long list of debts that is a GA pilot's bank statement.
Thread Starter
Yeah, tell me about it...got my first credit card the other day...i knew there was a reason why i avoided the bloody things!!
Good work dorothy, gonna make sure everyone knows thats your new nickname!!
Good work dorothy, gonna make sure everyone knows thats your new nickname!!
All good, knew it was in fun. And Ix, all debts are negated and cancelled if Aero helps you get a job (ergo don't go teasing him and calling him too much until he's helped you get the job... 
)
)
Thread Starter
Well, i'll be heading off this weekend on saturday morning up north to darwin along planned route!
unless someone has any hints on possible scenic jobs or something like that around the place!
unless someone has any hints on possible scenic jobs or something like that around the place!
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Ixixly,
There are certainly things you can do to help you into your first flying job.
All pilots have pilots licences (presumably), so to make yourself more competitive, what other skills could you have that an employer could be interested in ?.
Bus licence, Senior First Aid, presentable, able to speak in public to large groups, kick boxing (for a community based position), this is far from a complete list........
What skills do you have to find a generic job in town to keep you busy until your flying job does happen ?.
Try to keep Friday nights to yourself so you can find the correct watering hole to meet the guys/gals you'll hopefully be working with, this will help you a heap.
With 270tt, I'd reckon CS is not really a good option, Kununurra, Darwin etc etc are.
There are certainly things you can do to help you into your first flying job.
All pilots have pilots licences (presumably), so to make yourself more competitive, what other skills could you have that an employer could be interested in ?.
Bus licence, Senior First Aid, presentable, able to speak in public to large groups, kick boxing
(for a community based position), this is far from a complete list........What skills do you have to find a generic job in town to keep you busy until your flying job does happen ?.
Try to keep Friday nights to yourself so you can find the correct watering hole to meet the guys/gals you'll hopefully be working with, this will help you a heap.
With 270tt, I'd reckon CS is not really a good option, Kununurra, Darwin etc etc are.
Last edited by Josh Cox; 18th Mar 2010 at 07:09. Reason: more goodera spelling.
Try to keep Friday nights to yourself so you can find the correct watering hole to meet the guys/gals you'll hopefully be working with, this will help you a heap.
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Try to keep Friday nights to yourself so you can find the correct watering hole to meet the guys/gals you'll hopefully be working with, this will help you a heap.
how exactly do you get about going to a bar on a friday night all alone like a loner because you're new in town and trying to "fit in" with a group of guys/gals you dont even know? Seems a tad difficult in a social sense!
Identify the people you want to meet,
Introduce yourself,
ask for the standard details about them (who, what, where, when, why and how) then
shut up and take mental notes.
Don't bring up your own achievements that way you can have something new to say when you're asked about yourself.
All of these things are so much easier to do with a drink in your hands (even if it's not alcoholic).
Social functions are more than a way to relax, just see what Captain Lim has to say about Singapore Airlines' recruitment "Tea Party" here.
FRQ CB
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Get a job at the bar!
At least turning up by loner self will get you paid and the opportuinity to meet people. Throw a few free drinks here and there (mistaken order), or the occasional accidental over pour of spirits, and the boys and girls will remember you!
Most of these places have backpackers coming and going all the time so they are use to people only working for a short period of time.
At least turning up by loner self will get you paid and the opportuinity to meet people. Throw a few free drinks here and there (mistaken order), or the occasional accidental over pour of spirits, and the boys and girls will remember you!
Most of these places have backpackers coming and going all the time so they are use to people only working for a short period of time.