Take the time to instruct, get your hours built up and get that degree. By the time hiring starts up again you'll be able to pick from employers that you want to work for versus going to some craphole that can't hire anything other than wet commercials. A lot of the guys that came from places like ATP are screwed right now. They don't have 135 mins and they have no instructor ratings. You'd be doing yourself a favor if you have that experience to fall back on.

I just got my furlough notice and I'm happy I have that experience.

BTW: Real Jeeps have round headlights

 

LOL. I bet you knew I had square headlights pilotpip. But then again, real jeeps dont have 350 hp like mine does.

I am definately sticking around for the CFI courses. We had a couple of guys sneak out without them when I first started in April. They are kicking themselves now because the $2k refund they got doesnt even come close to getting those ratings.

I do want to instruct, but I am from Michigan. Icy cold winters. So it depends on whats availible, and last I checked with a high unemployment rate, Michigan is really hurting for students. 8 out of 10 planes at my old field havent been out of their hanger this summer, or so I have been told.

 

Look to warmer climates. There are a lot of places in Florida and Texas that are always hiring. The airlines suck, but there are still lots of jobs to be had out there that involve flying planes.

As for real jeeps, how about a rebuilt CJ-8 with a Chevy 350, Turbo 400, Dana 60s locked on a 3" SOA? It was great until it was stolen and wrapped around a tree. The only Jeep I have now is my airport car. An old Cherokee but she's got 235k on the odometer and keeps going strong.

 

CJ-

Hang in there - if this industry is a passion of yours then don't give up. I agree with what several have already said...instruct. Your goal shouldn't be an airline job right now. your goal should be 1200 hours. Then an airline job. Take it step by step, get your CFI (and don't EVER let it expire) and start instructing. Look for VFR freight jobs - usually their mins are lower for VFR only. That should set you up nicely for when this industry swings back into the positive (always the optimist )

As far as the FE - don't bother. Especially right now. Engineers are quickly becoming a distant memory unless you target the big freighters. Most 121 carriers don't require, nor give any credence for it. So... don't waste your money, or time, until you KNOW you need it. Yes, it must be renewed as well - something else to consider. It just plane wont' make you more marketable...unfortunately.

You mentioned something about a jet program. I just want to give my 2-cents (or maybe it's only worth 1 1/2 cents...)

Is this a type rating course of some sort? Most airlines don't put a lot of stock into an empty type. Simply put - it doesn't mean anything unless you've logged time in type. What it does give you is an edge in ground school - you've already been there, done that. That is, of course, after the interview where it really doesn't help you at all.

You also mentioned that you want to get a ramp job or something to get your foot in the door at an airline. Word of warning...
Most airlines do not give you any advantages over other applicants simply because you work there. Pilot hiring is in a different realm than other areas in the company. You might luck out, but then again you might not. So if you don’t like the work (ramp or whatever) then I would NOT recommend you go that route. Instead, concentrate on building time – that is much more valuable to a pilot recruiter. If you are hooked on working for an airline in another capacity then I would have to say you’ve got it backwards. Instead of instructing “on the side”, you should make that primary and work the ramp on the side.


Rather than taking your ATP written this early, I would recommend finishing your degree. You will be thankful you did in the end. Nobody knows what is going to happen in the industry over the next several years, but my hunch is that competitiveness is going to skyrocket. Many airlines require a four-year degree now…most likely even more will require it in the future. Get your ATP when you are closer to either landing a job or able to take the practical portion.


I hope this helps give you another perspective. I wish you the best – and don’t give up.

Lori

 

Im definately headed into the CFI area as my Primary area lori. Had a family reunion this weekend, and discovered I have a friend in high places. If I am lucky he will give the Pres of my old university my resume for a gig working as a CFI for their aviation program. Time to finish the program here and polish my resume off. Hopefully it all works out, plan on spending 2 yrs finishin degree and CFI'n. Thanks for the help guys.

 

Did someone say Jeep? J/K.

Your attitude will carry you through. You seem to be confident in where you are and where you are going. This is a tough industry and even with the tough entry barriers, enough people seem to make it through to present some real competition when it comes to jobs. A positive attitude will prevail above most everything else.

Best of luck. I am a CFI, II, MEI. If I can help at all, contact me via PM or through my website, PassionAviator.

 

I couldn`t agree more with Lori. She knows what she is talking about. Keep flying,but..now listen to this...you gotta get a four year degree, and not from degree mill. Without that, you have automatically excluded yourself from the majors. Some will disagree with this, insisting that either they or some friend is flying the big iron without one. I`m sure there are exceptions, but few and far between. Next item...forget the flight engineer rating. It`s almost extinct, like a navigator. Lastly..tossing bags or working in some other ground job at an airline ain`t gonna help you get hired on. Again, there are exceptions, but not worth the effort. Good luck to you....get that degree.