When your contract ends

[Mr Toad]

Helicopters, we are told by the rest of the world, are unsafe; it follows that our jobs are also unsafe. I worked for two major airlines who shouldn't have been in helicopters at all; when it all goes wrong you have to be long gone. If your contract has ended but you haven't yet found another job then you must take this lesson to heart.

Any helicopter pilot or engineer/mechanic MUST maintain an up to date jobs file containing a current CV (simple) together with an extensive list of employers and their Chief Pilots around the world for whom you are qualified to work. The more guys you know around the world the better.

At regular intervals, and while still in apparently safe employment, you should keep in touch with these contacts; either they will bin your request or demand you climb on the next aircraft. It's a lottery and not for the faint-hearted. Finally NEVER leave a job on bad terms.

If you want more job security go be a lawyer or a doctor.

[paco]

Have you tried being a low-time doctor or lawyer? I don't think any job is safe these days!

You make a good point, though, and it is a good idea to make the acquaintance of as many people as possible - but not just Chief Pilots. Many of them just stick their head out of the door and ask the guys on the shop floor if they know anybody when they want more staff

phil