Gear To Take On The Great Job Search
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Join Date: Nov 2000
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Gear To Take On The Great Job Search
OK. You have have got the CPL ticket and have decided to do the great Drive-Around in search of that elusive first charter job.
Now the question is asked, what gear should you take with you, or later came to realise you should have taken, to make life liveable or more comfortable. And all to go in your car or ute.
Examples being perhaps an electric fan, a BBQ, camp stretcher, folding chair, folding table, lock-up gear box etc.
Over to you UGALs' and others with 'Job seeking experience'.
Now the question is asked, what gear should you take with you, or later came to realise you should have taken, to make life liveable or more comfortable. And all to go in your car or ute.
Examples being perhaps an electric fan, a BBQ, camp stretcher, folding chair, folding table, lock-up gear box etc.
Over to you UGALs' and others with 'Job seeking experience'.
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Always take Insect Spray .Sunblock. Your favourite music (It can get lonely).One container of Inspiration.
MOST OF ALL...............One container of Persistance.
The first job I ever had , I inherited from a pilot who decided to tell the boss where he thought he may be able to jam his job.
He looked out the window where I was washing his sad aeroplanes and waved me over. He said "see that car driving off" .I said " yes "."He just made a bad career move. Before I look at the hundreds of resumes in the draw, how about you go take a shower,we go for a fly ,and if that works ok, you can start today.!"
So you also need to take a little luck.
MOST OF ALL...............One container of Persistance.
The first job I ever had , I inherited from a pilot who decided to tell the boss where he thought he may be able to jam his job.
He looked out the window where I was washing his sad aeroplanes and waved me over. He said "see that car driving off" .I said " yes "."He just made a bad career move. Before I look at the hundreds of resumes in the draw, how about you go take a shower,we go for a fly ,and if that works ok, you can start today.!"
So you also need to take a little luck.
SERIOUSLY
Take a Taxi license and/or a bar certificate. Find a place with a relitively large GA industry (The usual suspects, Alice, Katherin,Kunnunurra), get known, get a non-flying job, keep in touch and WAIT!!
Sooner or later they get caught out and need a casual, then get a contract and need a part-timer, one of their full-timers goes to QF.......
Best of luck, and I'm sure you will look back at this as being the most rewarding experience of your life.
Take a Taxi license and/or a bar certificate. Find a place with a relitively large GA industry (The usual suspects, Alice, Katherin,Kunnunurra), get known, get a non-flying job, keep in touch and WAIT!!
Sooner or later they get caught out and need a casual, then get a contract and need a part-timer, one of their full-timers goes to QF.......
Best of luck, and I'm sure you will look back at this as being the most rewarding experience of your life.
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Thats a great story RR. You think **** like that will never happen....its great to read that it still does!
Dont forget the J@J 'No more tears' shampoo!!!
Cheers and all the best.
PA
Dont forget the J@J 'No more tears' shampoo!!!
Cheers and all the best.
PA
Join Date: Apr 2002
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The strangest part is that once you get that first job whatever it is it will lead to another.The saying that it is easy to get a job when you are employed is very true of aviation .
I also believe that the aviation market has to improve !
I also believe that the aviation market has to improve !
I might have mislead you there, the hand is for when you get that posting out the the community.
When you are waiting in Darwin, Kununurra, Broome etc (not Katherine) stay at a backpackers. Get to know the staff. They will usually look after you by putting nice room mates in with you, and before you know it, you will be travelling the world from between your sheets.
When you are waiting in Darwin, Kununurra, Broome etc (not Katherine) stay at a backpackers. Get to know the staff. They will usually look after you by putting nice room mates in with you, and before you know it, you will be travelling the world from between your sheets.
Join Date: Oct 1999
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I have said in another topic that you shouldn't just drive aimlessly around highway 1. Find a plac e to base yourself and find a job of any sort. You can spend weekends or days off travelling and hunting for a job.
If you do go from place to place frequently then spend some time and money seeing the sites.
I did the great journey around parts of the country and regret not slowing down to smell the flowers. I missed out on wonderful points of interest and scenery because I was frustrated about not flying and in a rush. Once you get a job you will not have the opportunity to travel and tour.
What to take on the trip? Cash and a brand new credit card!
No.....make it two brand new credit cards.
U2
If you do go from place to place frequently then spend some time and money seeing the sites.
I did the great journey around parts of the country and regret not slowing down to smell the flowers. I missed out on wonderful points of interest and scenery because I was frustrated about not flying and in a rush. Once you get a job you will not have the opportunity to travel and tour.
What to take on the trip? Cash and a brand new credit card!
No.....make it two brand new credit cards.
U2
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Lets keep the thread on track guys. The thread is practical things to take.
Thinking about it I guess a good quality box of tools for car and aircraft use would not go astray.
What else?
Handing over to you guys who have done the big drive-around in search of that first flying job.
Thinking about it I guess a good quality box of tools for car and aircraft use would not go astray.
What else?
Handing over to you guys who have done the big drive-around in search of that first flying job.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
The drive itself. (I did the big drive in Jan/Feb 94)
Water, plenty of it. At least 5 litres emerg water.
10 litres emergency fuel.
Engine oil
Fan belt/timing belt.
Top and bottom water hoses for your car.
Basic tools.
Take a cooler bag for your drinks. ie more water.
Get the car serviced.
If you can afford it, put good tyres on the car. Hot tarmac and long high speed driving will take their toll.
Plenty of CD's
Keep your family informed of where you are.
Do NOT sleep on the side of the road going through the centre of Oz. Stay in hotels/BnB's/backpacker places instead. A lot safer.
Things required when you are "there".
the usual flying stuff.
passport - useful for ID when opening bank accounts etc
a sleeping bag that zips right open. Makes for a cheap doona.
pillow is useful
white shirts (get a couple) May not need but useful any way.
If you are in a place like Kununurra, take your fishing gear (if you fish), water ski gear (if you ski), crash helmet etc. Snorkelling gear (Broome/Darwin) etc. You get the idea.
In other words,things that you can't easily buy in a remote area.
Get a laptop computer. Easier to lug around than a desk top. If nothing else, your resume on disk.
hats
cossies
some enjoyable books
stubbie cooler
esky
portable CD/MD player (computer can be good)
plenty of optimism, you'll need it.
Good luck
Water, plenty of it. At least 5 litres emerg water.
10 litres emergency fuel.
Engine oil
Fan belt/timing belt.
Top and bottom water hoses for your car.
Basic tools.
Take a cooler bag for your drinks. ie more water.
Get the car serviced.
If you can afford it, put good tyres on the car. Hot tarmac and long high speed driving will take their toll.
Plenty of CD's
Keep your family informed of where you are.
Do NOT sleep on the side of the road going through the centre of Oz. Stay in hotels/BnB's/backpacker places instead. A lot safer.
Things required when you are "there".
the usual flying stuff.
passport - useful for ID when opening bank accounts etc
a sleeping bag that zips right open. Makes for a cheap doona.
pillow is useful
white shirts (get a couple) May not need but useful any way.
If you are in a place like Kununurra, take your fishing gear (if you fish), water ski gear (if you ski), crash helmet etc. Snorkelling gear (Broome/Darwin) etc. You get the idea.
In other words,things that you can't easily buy in a remote area.
Get a laptop computer. Easier to lug around than a desk top. If nothing else, your resume on disk.
hats
cossies
some enjoyable books
stubbie cooler
esky
portable CD/MD player (computer can be good)
plenty of optimism, you'll need it.
Good luck
Join Date: Aug 2002
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I haven't gone on the big job hunt yet but have travelled quiet a bit in other pursuits...
mobile phone!
sure it might not work everywhere but when you have to call home for money it is sure to come in handy
I've also found travelling around (in a different industry) that you can't underestimate the value of a comfy bed (beats smelly floors or band rooms at pubs). buy an airbed, its light, cheap and comfy
I'd also recomend buying a roll of Gaff. you can fix anything with gaff, and i know that i have (including an aircraft on one occasion, and a radiator... which lasted 4 hours on a gaff patch)
plenty of clothing, especially underwear. it can double as a pillow when need be
torch
food
cordial. theres some pretty bad tasting water out there
sunscreen, hat etc
mobile phone!
sure it might not work everywhere but when you have to call home for money it is sure to come in handy
I've also found travelling around (in a different industry) that you can't underestimate the value of a comfy bed (beats smelly floors or band rooms at pubs). buy an airbed, its light, cheap and comfy
I'd also recomend buying a roll of Gaff. you can fix anything with gaff, and i know that i have (including an aircraft on one occasion, and a radiator... which lasted 4 hours on a gaff patch)
plenty of clothing, especially underwear. it can double as a pillow when need be
torch
food
cordial. theres some pretty bad tasting water out there
sunscreen, hat etc
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: North son, I say go North..........
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All of your flying equipment is probably #1, doesn't look to professional if you can't do a chk ride cause ya got no gear. Also make sure ya got that one page resume...
I did it 11 years ago on a bus from ML... although I think I spent more sime drinking with backpackers that looking for work.
As with your first GA job it will be a time of your life that you never forget.
And don't forget like mentioned earlier take that big can of inspiration and persistance, employers can be real pricks... (trust me)...
I did it 11 years ago on a bus from ML... although I think I spent more sime drinking with backpackers that looking for work.
As with your first GA job it will be a time of your life that you never forget.
And don't forget like mentioned earlier take that big can of inspiration and persistance, employers can be real pricks... (trust me)...
Join Date: Aug 2000
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Get yourself a UHF Radio. They are more usefull than a mobile phone when travelling between large towns. If you get stuck on the side of the road, 9 times out of 10 you will be able to contact someone, even if it is only a truck driver.
Make sure your car is in good condition, get someone to service it before you take it on the trip, and like others said before, take emergency gear with you, ie. Water, Oil etc.
While your out there, do the tourist thing as well, as if you do get a job it could be a long while before you get another chance to visit those areas again.
Best of luck with it all,
Cheers,
Capt EFIS.
PS. I did the same thing back in '94, and finally found myself work at Alice Springs.
Make sure your car is in good condition, get someone to service it before you take it on the trip, and like others said before, take emergency gear with you, ie. Water, Oil etc.
While your out there, do the tourist thing as well, as if you do get a job it could be a long while before you get another chance to visit those areas again.
Best of luck with it all,
Cheers,
Capt EFIS.
PS. I did the same thing back in '94, and finally found myself work at Alice Springs.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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The Heater Hoses and Fan Belts are a great idea, fit them before you head out and keep the old ones as spares. Nothing worse than having to use up all your spare water filling the radiator.
Don't rush the trip. You may arrive at your chosen destination a couple of days earlier but you certainly won't feel like chasing jobs after driving huge hours every day.
Don't rush the trip. You may arrive at your chosen destination a couple of days earlier but you certainly won't feel like chasing jobs after driving huge hours every day.
Check Attitude
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Mobile phone, BUT make sure it's CDMA. If you have GSM (digital) you can take your existing number to the CDMA network.
Why CDMA? Cos the Guvmint has seen fit to put a cell in every (aboriginal) community with more than 500 population. It works where digitals do, and most of the outback where you can't use your digital. Telstra's coverage maps do not reflect the most up to date coverage, but they have been on a rampage out there installing new cells at a phenominal rate.
So if you've already got a notebook, get a data cable and you can still get your Pprune fix.
As for the other stuff, buy the relevant WAC's for the areas you think you'll get lucky ( and a Darwin VTC, you'll probably fly in there even if you don't get a job there).
I've had pilots turn up without WACs and even without a headset !. You're not going flying without either.
Why CDMA? Cos the Guvmint has seen fit to put a cell in every (aboriginal) community with more than 500 population. It works where digitals do, and most of the outback where you can't use your digital. Telstra's coverage maps do not reflect the most up to date coverage, but they have been on a rampage out there installing new cells at a phenominal rate.
So if you've already got a notebook, get a data cable and you can still get your Pprune fix.
As for the other stuff, buy the relevant WAC's for the areas you think you'll get lucky ( and a Darwin VTC, you'll probably fly in there even if you don't get a job there).
I've had pilots turn up without WACs and even without a headset !. You're not going flying without either.