gcpilot

Looks like PPRune would be a good place where you will get reasonable answers.

On a serious note, have you put yourself in his position? Maybe he does not have any reference as how contract and expat flying works and asking legitimate questions. Rather than typing that long response in his mockery, you would have done a very good job if you had provided some thoughtful opinions drawing on your aviation experience.

I am no expert by any means but I help with whatever information I can. You surely did not fly the big irons right out of school and were in his position many moons ago with a lot of questions, uncertainties and enthusiasm- so why this mockery?

If you aint got nothing nice to say, say nothing!

SeamusTheHound

Calm down, Francis. My parodied response was tongue-in-cheek, and admittedly mocking, but it has a point: THERE ARE VERY FEW, IF ANY, SHORTCUTS, and expecting a shortcut is not a plan.

At 200 hours, a student pilot should be asking how to forge ahead on a path towards solid experience, not how to skip to the front of the line. If such shortcuts were available, wouldn't everybody want them?

Consequently, if everybody was in pursuit of the quick route, such opportunities would most certainly be highly coveted and very competitive. Which brings us back to the original dilemma: how to get from one rung on the aviation ladder to the next. The answer is that you build upon solid education and experience and keep your eyes open for opportunities to grow professionally.

To look for a shortcut implies that the experience-building process is irrelevant and unnecessary. Unless your dad owns an airline or a corporate jet (or a movie studio), the way to move forward is to be the best at what you are doing today, and build on that experience by moving on to the next step.

Sorry, but as sarcastic as my comment may have been, it's on the mark.

SeamusTheHound

On a more straightforward note, if you are at Embry-Riddle and you want to get an "in" with a major airline, apply for an internship with the airlines. Those positions are competitive and do not guarantee you a job, but they get you exposure that you can use later (like free training or a guaranteed interview, in some cases).

If you can't get one of the existing internships offered, write or call several aviation companies and ask if you could intern (for college credit) or work there (for pay) for a summer. Make the most of whatever opportunity you are given.

After you graduate, find a job that will get you accumulating hours at a rapid pace. Keep in mind, however, that QUALITY of hours is as important as QUANTITY. Thus, the same number of hours flight instructing is viewed by airlines as better than banner towing, but fewer hours flying night freight (IFR) is better than a lot of hours doing VFR flying.

One possibility for a low time pilot is to head to Alaska for a summer season. Another possibility is to join the Air National Guard. A third is to go fly in a foreign country to build experience.

Notice that none of these suggestions points to a shortcut?

gcpilot

On a straight forward note, thanks and kudos for your constructive suggestions by drawing upon your experiences