Any pilots that used to be A&P mechanics?
 

Apologies if this is the wrong place for this question, but since I’m considering a major career change I’m just curious.

Do any of you have experience or comments about flying with someone who used to be an airline mechanic? Stories, critique, etc. are welcome.

I’m not an A&P mechanic but I have friends that were that I went through new hire training with. They were very sharp and excelled at systems knowledge. However, It seems when I started out at the airlines there was much more emphasis placed on systems knowledge and tough systems orals when learning a new plane. Nowadays very little emphasis is placed on this. In fact I believe my current airline is just a computer based test that is open book. I think it would be advantageous though to have this knowledge in general and also when learning to fly and perhaps even owning your own airplane to build hours in. As you advance in your pilot career I would say it would show your passion and enthusiasm for aviation in general when applying and interviewing for a major airline job.

I got my A +P before I got off active duty, and I used it to make good money working at night etc while doing college and flight training. It did help land my first CFI job, but other than that it was a just a nice to have thing, maybe I was able to wrap my head around systems and what not a bit faster than the average joe..but thats about it.

Where it has really come in has been owning your own small airplane....
But really...first world problem.

I did it. PM me your questions.

I wouldn't let anyone know you had an A&P. It wont help unless you want to do oil changes and 100 hrs for minimum wage.

I'm still a mechanic, and have been since my early teens, and will probably still be turning wrenches long after I can't fly. I've turned wrenches my entire flying career.

I consider it a very good background for any pilot, but I don't consider it a career change, either, as I've always done both, and continue to do so. I consider flying an extension of wrenching, and maintenance an extension of flying. It just makes for a broader scope of what one does.