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"Oddball" Flying Jobs

Old 05-25-2012, 09:31 AM
  #11  
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Airships, wow! What's it like to fly one of those?

Also how do you go about getting training for those? What is your job like in general, if you dont mind? There can't be that many operators out there.
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Old 05-25-2012, 10:25 AM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by ClutchCargo View Post
Here we go again.




Sky-

You did have good experience- Initially. Problem is, you stayed in the bush, air attack, etc. way too long.

You should have gone to a regional about five years sooner than you did. Once you got that "1000hrs TPIC" you would have become marketable. Without it you never stood a chance.

Also, you have indicated that it was AK or nothing. You limited yourself to one airline that you (IMO) didn't do very diligent research on how to get hired at.

I got lucky I got hired at my second choice airline. Which turned out to be the best. First choice was FTL. I also applied to AMR, UAL, NWA, USA, MDW, PAA, EAL, Piedmont, etc., etc. The thing is I didn't limit myself and would have accepted employement at any of them while continuing to try to get hired at my "dream job" (long haul freight).

I'm not saying I was a genius in my job search. In fact- made a dumb strategic move by not going to Tigers in '87. Was flying Herks for SAT at the time. Money was very good and adventure meter was pegged. Lost about 600 numbers seniority-wise when the FTL/FDX merger happened. However, my C-130 time was very helpful in getting me hired at FDX in 1990. So it all worked out.

This is my opinion, experience only but for you job career seekers. Trubine PIC is king. Especially glass ( CRJ, etc.). Turboprops not so much anymore, unfortunately.

Good luck to all.

Regards,
Clutch
Clutch,

I did not want to be there and tried to get out but could only take the jobs I was offered. My job search was not limited. I applied to companies all over the world but could not break out of oddball flying jobs. It is a rut that people can get hung up in. Bush jobs lead to more bush jobs and so on. I tried my hardest and even though Alaska Airlines was my overall goal I applied to everyone. I even sent resumes every fall to UPS and FedEx.

When the phone would ring it was from someone wanting me to fly a Piper Aztec in Puerto Rico or a Fish and Wildlife contract in Alaska. My preference was to have walked into a 727 FE job right out of college and never touched a piston plane again. All I could do was to take the jobs I was offered. I wish I had known you back then so you could have helped me.

Skyhigh
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Old 05-25-2012, 10:33 AM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by Pony Express View Post
Thanks for the replies.

Clutch Cargo,
Flying C-130s sounds like a blast! I only knew of lynden air cargo as far as operators that fly C-130s go. Was it mostly oversized freight to unimproved fields? I would guess that most of that work would either be up in Alaska or somewhere international? That does sound like quite an adventure.

Skyhigh,
Have you made it to the airlines or have you decided to take your career another route?

Pony,

I have had to earn a living outside of aviation to support a family life. I still get calls to fly floats or in the bush. It seems that there is a shortage of pilots with the background to do that stuff while the airlines are flooded.

Who knows in a few years guys with piston and bush skills might be worth more than jet jocks.

Skyhigh
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Old 05-25-2012, 11:39 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Pony Express View Post
Airships, wow! What's it like to fly one of those?

Also how do you go about getting training for those? What is your job like in general, if you dont mind? There can't be that many operators out there.
It's like riding on a boat. Seriously. You get trained when you get hired, or if you are super rich, like John & Martha King, you go buy a rating for 100K+. My job, is flying the airship. That part is somewhat fun. The other stuff kills it, when you don't fly, you help out on the ground crew. You might be booking hotels, etc... There aren't many operators, just Goodyear, The Lightship Group and Airship Ventures, within the USA.

Pay is decent, roughly what you would make as a 2nd year FO at the higher tier regional carriers, but that's all you'll ever make as a line pilot. Get promoted to Chief Pilot, you might make 1st year Captain pay, but again, no pay raises ever.

QOL sucks. 340 days a year on the road, living in hotels of various accommodations. Working with ground crew that, while fun to work with, aren't exactly what you would call "professional". You get 4 weeks of vacation per year, but good luck getting it when you want/need it.

Oh, and be willing to sign a 3 year training contract. I'm just at the end of year 1 and trust me, it isn't worth it.
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Old 05-25-2012, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by KSCessnaDriver View Post
QOL sucks. 340 days a year on the road, living in hotels of various accommodations. Working with ground crew that, while fun to work with, aren't exactly what you would call "professional". You get 4 weeks of vacation per year, but good luck getting it when you want/need it.
Was the 340 days a year on the road a mistype?

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Old 05-25-2012, 01:01 PM
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
Was the 340 days a year on the road a mistype?

USMCFLYR
4 weeks of vacation, is 20 days of vacation, according to the company. So yes/no, depending on how you want to look at it. Needless to say, you don't get much home time.
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Old 05-25-2012, 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by KSCessnaDriver View Post
4 weeks of vacation, is 20 days of vacation, according to the company. So yes/no, depending on how you want to look at it. Needless to say, you don't get much home time.
I see what you were talking about - but I'm saying that your times add up to that if you aren't on VACATION - then you are ON THE ROAD every other day of the year. I didn't know of many other jobs (especially paying what you say you are getting paid) that actually keep people out on the road that much except maybe the 365 non-vol military IA.

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Old 05-25-2012, 01:34 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
I see what you were talking about - but I'm saying that your times add up to that if you aren't on VACATION - then you are ON THE ROAD every other day of the year. I didn't know of many other jobs (especially paying what you say you are getting paid) that actually keep people out on the road that much except maybe the 365 non-vol military IA.

USMCFLYR
Oh yeah, if you aren't on vacation you are on the road. The only other thing that I can think of similar to it is military deployment.
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Old 05-25-2012, 02:20 PM
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Originally Posted by USMCFLYR View Post
I see what you were talking about - but I'm saying that your times add up to that if you aren't on VACATION - then you are ON THE ROAD every other day of the year. I didn't know of many other jobs (especially paying what you say you are getting paid) that actually keep people out on the road that much except maybe the 365 non-vol military IA.

USMCFLYR
Oh yeah, if you aren't on vacation you are on the road. The only other thing that I can think of similar to it is military deployment.
I just saw the MetLife airship at my local airport today. Really cool. Was always curious to know what was involved in flying those! But I'm now sorry to hear the QOL sucks, but what kind of time do you log on those things? Turbine multi?
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Old 05-25-2012, 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by mikearuba View Post
I just saw the MetLife airship at my local airport today. Really cool. Was always curious to know what was involved in flying those! But I'm now sorry to hear the QOL sucks, but what kind of time do you log on those things? Turbine multi?
I am sure that people will say "man that is some good experience". I can't imagine that the flight time will be good for much more than other airship jobs.

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