Originally Posted by Pick_Me83
Ok, first my situation. I am 21, Commercial multi instrument pilot with about 300 TT and 15 multi and I started flying at a local FBO when I was 16. I plan to get my CFI in March of 06' and hope to instruct the rest of the way through school. Right now studying business and I will have an AA in the summer of 07' and I would like to get a BA before moving on to fly for an airline. Ahh yea... and my goal would be to fly for a major. With that said, do you think it is a good idea to finish my BA while instructing before trying to get on with an airline? Do you think that comming from an FBO not a "Pilot Factory" will hurt me when it is time to start job hunting? I would appriciate any advice.
Thanks
In today's hiring environment, getting hired is a function of: knowing someone and knowing how to present yourself (assuming that you are otherwise qualified.) When you approach the career pursuit from this angle, you will quickly see the benefit in building your network now. Since you are in business school, and you indicate that you aren't from a "pilot factory", I'll assume that you aren't in a environment conducive to networking, but do the best you can. BTW, no one really cares where you got your initial ratings. I'd suggest that you finish your degree, then find a job CFI'ing at the largest school you can find so that you can continue working on your network of friends. Move on when you can, but don't go to work for some small outfit that will limit your ability to see opportunity. Move on to a regional carrier, but only after you have a fairly large network of friends, because you want to know people other than pilots from one commuter airline. Network there as well of course, but you're trying to ensure that you don't limit yourself to being only a Comair/ASA/Mesa/Chitaco/TSA/etc pilot when you go looking for a job at a point in the future.
If you do this, you'll find that you have more job leads than you can follow up on in about ten years.
During college, take as many "human behavior" classes as you can. Read up on the classics like "How to Win Friends and Influence People". In short, learn to be a nice guy. Treat people well, and be a sincere team player.
Finally, If I had to do over, I'd start atttending hiring seminars NOW. If you attend one of Aaron Hagens seminars now, and continue over the next few years, you will be able to count it as nothing more than professional/personal development. BTW, it IS professional/personal development. Besides, it will allow you to tell an interviewer, "no I didn't prep
for this interview"
Good Luck,
skybolt
edit, Aaron Hagen, aka AlbieF15 can be reached at Emerald Coast Interview in Pensacola.