Postal123

Hi,

I'm relatively new on APC, but I've been trolling for a few years. Retire from the AF on July 31 and available for civilian work in April/May. I've got an ATP w/737 Type, an A&P and expired CFI tickets. 2500 TT and 2000 TPIC. My Pilot experience is Mil ME Tactical Jet and Light GA. My A&P experience is mostly Military Jet and Light GA. Read no turboprop experience, Pilot or Mechanic.

For personal reasons, I'm targeting a specific defense contractor position and I want to become Mr. Dash-8. I'm really interested in Piedmont and willing to live where based if hired. Question 1: Thoughts on Piedmont? Question 2: If hired, I plan to approach them and ask if I can work as a Mechanic Part-time (days off)...has anyone ever heard of this being done? Think this could be possible? Of course I would need to be domiciled in a city with a MX base...I have not applied for a pilot position yet...

Thanks!

Al Czervik

If you are flexible on not doing the contractor job.....Thought about FedEx?

Postal123

I have. I've considered all of the major players and I've got friends in each. I been in a non-flying position for the last 20 months, so I think I'll need to do some regional flying regardless. I've only flown about 70 GA hours in the last year.

On the other note, I won't be allowed to fly contract while still active. That's why I'd like to start flying as soon as possible while I'm still making money... For Piedmont, I'd be willing to give them every free moment for the experience and stay at least a year. Plus, if it's possible, it wouldn't be so tough financially...

JustAMushroom

This is rarely done, primarily because of the rest regulations. You'll be required to have zero availability to the company (for rest) turning wrenches included.

Most guys who want to use both skills end up in the training department interfacing with Mx. Good luck.

Postal123

Thanks JustAMushroom...nice by the way.

I'm not surprised that this would be a problem. My issue is that I'm trying to get pilot and MX experience on Dash-8s. Hence my desire to get on with Piedmont and my willingness to move from Tucson to the East Coast for a while. Pilot experience is my priority so I would follow through on this regardless.

I'm assuming many regional guys, who live in base, have some type of part-time job...is this true? Maybe I can still turn wrenches on the side...just for someone else...?

Perhaps a part 91 or 135 op is an option as well?

Thanks again

JohnBurke

Mechanics are in demand all over. Finding one for work on a -8, perhaps not so much, expecially part time or volunteer.

Bear in mind that volunteering your time as a pilot won't make you popular. We're a paid profession; we are worthy money.

Keep the same frame of mind when approaching maintenance. We mechanics are professionals too; it's not a volunteer vocation, and those who offer their services gratis tend to lower the bar for the rest of the industry. It's our bread and butter.

In the airline world, doing line flying and maintenance is virtually unheard of, except for very limited maintenance test positions...even then it's either one side of the fence or the other.

There are many segments of the industry, nearly all outside of airline flying, where flying and maintaining go together. I got my first corporate job that way, though most corporate jobs are not that way. Fire, ag, some charter, and other kinds of flying (primarily utility flying) often employ pilots who are mechanics.

Pilots tend to be a little distrustful (and sometimes disdainful) of mechanics. Mechanics tend to feel the same toward pilots. Those who do both jobs sometimes earn the ire of both groups. Take it from someone who's done both for a long, long time.

Postal123

Thanks John, and well said! Although I still have the same goal, I think that moonlighting somewhere else is an all-around better way to go. We'll see what happens...I'm still trying to figure out what I want do to when I grow up...?