Originally Posted by
VAviator
Thanks for the responses so far! I think all three of you mentioned something I hadn't thought of, so I'm really glad I asked the question. And I understand your points about impressing everyone in any job I might find myself in. It'd be quite stupid of me to make a big change (move) to work for a company only to be a jacka$$, but your point is well taken - it's only as much of an opportunity as you make of it. No one just hands you your dream job, most of all in our industry.
Glasss and RCAC - have you known anyone to get hired below the 1000ME and 150MET times? Or below any of the minimums for that matter?
One of our current Captain's started as a Pilot Services rep, became a Pilot Services Manager, bid for FO and is now a Captain.
There are four people I know of in the company in positions other than pilot that are working toward the goal of getting a pilot position. 2 in the OCC and 2 in the Maintenance department.
They hired low time pilots in the past if there was some reason they believed the pilot could pass the company training. One guy was a USMC Harrier pilot and had 1100 hours TT when he was hired. He is now a Check Airmen and has made a significant contribution to Avantair by helping to develop our current SOP's.
I have been told that there are positions open in the OCC now. One Flight Specialist position (they put together the aircraft schedules) and two Flight Followers (company has a rule that you must have a Dispatch License to be a FF)
Hope this helps and Good Luck