Originally Posted by sgaertner
All
I'm in the same situation as you guys. I have my Comm/CFI/CFII and about to have my MEI. I am graduating this spring and have no idea where to start.
I would like to fly cargo to build multi time and experience and then move on to a corporate job.
I am graduating from ASU with a BS in Aeronautical Management Technology (which doesn't mean much). I had the option of interviewing and a 99.9% probability of getting on with Mesa Airlines as a CRJ FO. I decided against it because of the talk I've heard through other graduates and sim instructors of the way the airlines are hard on families. I forgot to mention I have enough kids for the starting line on a basketball team and an over-achieving wife getting a PhD.
We also don't get very many opportunities to fly in inclement weather, but I've got about 700 hrs of mountain flying experience and associated high density altitude performance.
I am presently working as a CFI at my school. I've built about 800 hrs but only have about 45 hrs multi with only 15 of that being PIC. I'm not sure where to go other than the internet to figure out how to meet people that are not going to the regional.
If anyone has any ideas or contacts with a cargo or freight company in the Midwest, I would be greatly appreciative.
Hey man, there are very few jobs in aviation that can accommodate a normal healthy family life. Even a local cargo gig can have you away from home a few nights a week, or keep you up all night while you try to sleep all day. Corporate/charter will give you 45 minutes notice for a three week trip. No matter how you slice it it is a difficult trick for a family to pull off. You also mentioned that you have a wife who is getting a PHd. I imagine that once she gets that she will want to go to work at something. It is hard enough to keep an aviation career going. Soon you will have two competing careers. Your best bet is to search the immediate airport for every metro and kingair, then start to search the surrounding cities. I have a wife and four sons. I worked as a professional pilot for over 15 years. When I was laid off from my last job over two years ago I realized that I couldn't go back. The pay is too low at most places and it is getting too difficult to shove the family into another UHaul and chase to dream across the country again.
SkyHigh