Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3
Thanks for the advice everyone (the good and the unhelpful too) - could i narrow my question down a bit more, putting all other factors aside (my interest, experience etc), what are the odds of an average person making it all the way from PPL right up to the major airlines?
Is the job market (RIGHT NOW) overflowing with unemployed junior pilots or does a new pilot have a fairly decent chance of getting into the airlines? Thx!
Is the job market (RIGHT NOW) overflowing with unemployed junior pilots or does a new pilot have a fairly decent chance of getting into the airlines? Thx!
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: The Shire
Posts: 2,894
The truth is it's a great job.
But probably half the guys that set out with stars in their eyes make it to a regional. Half that again make it to a major.
If everyone made it, there'd be no one left down the ladder after all.
But probably half the guys that set out with stars in their eyes make it to a regional. Half that again make it to a major.
If everyone made it, there'd be no one left down the ladder after all.
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: rangaville
Posts: 2,280
mmmmmm, dum-de-dum, what would I do if I had 50 gorillas & I was 26 years old. Get the [email protected] out of this hole bro, get your licence in the States, fly a couple of seasons at Ice Pilots. On your way home do your float plane endo in Vancouver. By the time you get back here your uncle will be knocking on your door
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NSW Australia
Posts: 2,412
Is the job market (RIGHT NOW) overflowing with unemployed junior pilots or does a new pilot have a fairly decent chance of getting into the airlines?
Start training today and it will probably be 18 months before you are qualified for your first job. Please be aware that you aren't ready for the cockpit of an airliner just yet.
Assuming you have been lucky, you might have your first job ($25-30k as a casual) as a very junior pilot or a junior instructor within 6 months of graduation.
You should expect 5-7 years clawing your way up the ladder, only leaving each job as a better job is offered (and occasionally getting retrenched) before you could reasonably expect to be in a small airliner.
Although you might technically meet an airline's minimum experience requirements within a couple of years, the plum jobs will often go to the candidate with far more than the minimums - like any career, to the best candidate available.
You might do it in less - and then again you might never make it at all.
Your intelligence, your people skills, your integrity and your determination will have a major influence on your quest to become an airline pilot. If you don't fit the defined mold you won't get into that airline - but that doesn't mean you can't have a fulfilling career as a pilot in one of many other streams.
Like many others I set off down this road with Qantas as the only possible objective. I was in an interview/Sim-ride assessment group in May 2008 with 4 others, all of whom were jet pilots for other airlines. I was scrubbed but the other 4 made it, only to be scrubbed when the GFC hit in October/November of that year.
To the best of my knowledge Qantas has not hired a single new pilot "Off the street" since.
I will echo the words of The Green Goblin - if you don't have the fire burning inside you, then you will end up either a) very lucky and in an airline or b) bitter and twisted and $80k poorer.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 53
I thought flight training is alot more accessible with FEE-HELP now...most schools who have it have seen huge jumps in their MECIR and IRC course numbers. I Wish it was around when I did my training, it would have saved alot of time and heartache but I guess its also partly responsible for a recent newbie flood I've been seeing as well as some people entering the industry with less "drive" than previously seen...
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 3
Which advice was unhelpful?
As far as relatives pulling strings, that just [email protected] the rest of us off.
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 57
Posts: 3,484
Age doesn't seem to matter much from what I can see
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Melbourne
Age: 33
Posts: 8
Can anybody give me information about a good flight school that also might be able to offer employment as a flight instructor after any training.
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 3
Hey there
Its my first time posting, Long time reader, first time poster. This thread (Newbie Advice) is an absolute delight, ive read it about 3 to 4 times now, and i keep coming back to see if there's anymore haha. I just have a question, im currently in the process of looking for that elusive first job, however i was just wondering, is it rude to go in to a company and ask for a job or would it be more appropriate to call or email first for a suitable time? Ive always felt that going in and asking to see the pilot seemed a bit rude, since he could easily be working etc?
Its my first time posting, Long time reader, first time poster. This thread (Newbie Advice) is an absolute delight, ive read it about 3 to 4 times now, and i keep coming back to see if there's anymore haha. I just have a question, im currently in the process of looking for that elusive first job, however i was just wondering, is it rude to go in to a company and ask for a job or would it be more appropriate to call or email first for a suitable time? Ive always felt that going in and asking to see the pilot seemed a bit rude, since he could easily be working etc?
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 53
Some operators are good and will organise something whether it is an interview or tell you to send 'em an email. Others on the other hand will completely disregard you over the phone (either receptionists who want to get you off the phone or other pilots who couldn't care less about you). but always ask to speak to the CP or GM when making a call. This method does work but prob not as much as walk-ins.
If you want advice, I'd walk in off the street well dressed with resume in hand. If the CFI or CP or even GM is out or working, then politely ask to make an appointment. This I have found usually yields the best results.
HR
If you want advice, I'd walk in off the street well dressed with resume in hand. If the CFI or CP or even GM is out or working, then politely ask to make an appointment. This I have found usually yields the best results.
HR
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 955
My tactic has always been to go in and speak to whoever mans the office, receptionist/pilot. Treat them like you are delighted to get a chance to speak to them and would they please pass on your resume/details to the relevant parties.
Many companies use the office person as a gate keeper. You won't get past them until the CP wants to see you, if you treat the gatekeeper right you go a long way to getting to see the CP. Some companies will let you meet the CP (usually a hand shake and basic introductions) straight away but it still doesn't hurt to make a good first impression; you may be seeing that office person every day you rock up for work in the future!
Many companies use the office person as a gate keeper. You won't get past them until the CP wants to see you, if you treat the gatekeeper right you go a long way to getting to see the CP. Some companies will let you meet the CP (usually a hand shake and basic introductions) straight away but it still doesn't hurt to make a good first impression; you may be seeing that office person every day you rock up for work in the future!
