Originally Posted by AZFlyer

TPink,

You and I sound pretty similar. I'm only 100 hours further along than you and have logged time in about as many types of aircraft as you. I've only ever wanted to be a pilot for as long as I can remember, and received (still do) the same complimentary remarks from folks more experienced than I about my stick and rudder ability (due I'm sure almost entirely to merely exceeding their expectations for a low-time pilot, not because I'm a gifted second coming of Bob Hoover, which I'm not).

I just began my first flying job three months ago and due almost entirely to knowing the right people and being in the right place at the right time, by the time I reach standard ATP mins in approximately 12-16 months from now, I'll have nearly 1200 hours of multi-turbine PIC time out of my 1500 hours total time. I'll be applying to the slave driving regionals with nearly 1800hrs of multi-turbine PIC when I finish my commitment.

There are two reasons I believe for my good fortune that I will share with you that might help you along your journey.

1) Be Humble, above all else. As others have commented, no matter how good you might be, or how good you more than likely think you are, no one, especially in aviation, appreciates inflated egos. Every person I've spoken with who is farther along than I am, and especially if they have any capacity in pilot hiring, the one common denominator I hear from them is how the really look for guys with good experience and who are also humble. That word 'humble' is specifically used by all of them. Spending so much effort trying to justify to people on an internet forum your limited flight experience will get you no where. You won't convince the guys on here with 10's of thousands of hours doing the most incredible things in airplanes around the world. They've been there, done that, and got the t-shirt, and thus have the perspective the comes with wisdom based on experience to know that a young and enthusiastic 359 hour pilot is just that...an enthusiastic 359 hour pilot.

One of the pilots at my employer has more time in airplanes, doing so many different things with airplanes, that it truly astounds me how he has so much knowledge about flying in general, and the aircraft types in the fleet at this company. I look forward to being around him because his thousands and thousands of hours of experience are nothing that my 'talent' and enthusiasm for aviation can match. I always learn something from him (and everyone else).

Accept that you are off to a good start, but accept that at this point, you really don't know what you don't know, and there is a long way to go. It's this mindset that I keep for myself.

2) With regards to getting a job, so much of it is networking. I've been an airline employee for nearly 8 years in a non-pilot capacity, but it wasn't time wasted. I got to know many pilots and slowly built and developed relationships in many places that are paying off now (how else did I get this incredible first job?). The more you can get around the people who are where you want to be, and the more you can show yourself as a good humble guy, the less off-the-street competition you'll have to face.

Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Wingbreaker

Where did you work and what was your position if you dont mind sharing? Currently trying to get in at the local Atlantic Aviation FBO, seems like it would be a good networking opportunity.