Hello friends, I need some advise. I have a checkered career. I had never failed any test or checkride until I got into the 121 world. In 2010 I washed out of training at AW. It was a massive blow to my ego. I got hired at Empire, got through training without any issues and flew there for just over a year. However, I recently failed my ATP/PIC type ride. I feel that I wasn't treated very fairly by the company, and it led to my termination. So now what do I do? I have two strikes against me, and this is an industry the often doesn't give you a 3rd chance. I have enrolled back in school and will graduate with a BA in History and a minor in Aviation in the Summer. Should I even bother trying to stay in aviation or do you think its time for me to move on to something else? I flew in Alaska for a season, and really enjoyed it up there...maybe that's where I belong. Thoughts, comments, critiques welcomed.

 

Unfortunately the assumption in the industry (esp. 121) will be that this is a lot of smoke for there to not be a fire.

I'd say you're done for now, but might be able to recover long term by building up a 91 resume (with turbine time) and then back into 135 and maybe 121 if you want. This will take at least several years and several thousand hours. More likely 5-10 years and no more busts.

You CANNOT afford another bust. That will be hanging over your head until you get to your career destination job (the one you retire from). In my mind that would be the biggest issue, having that ax ready to drop at any time.

First off, carefully evaluate what happened. It is possible, especially at the bottom rungs of the industry to encounter bad training programs, whimsical instructors, and predatory training practices (hire 20, graduate 5). But odds are good that you share at least some blame or even have poor aptitude for some aspect of aviation. Make sure you understand exactly what you can do to improve your odds, and be ready to talk about that at any interview. Also don't blame anyone but yourself at an interview.

 

I agree with what Rick says. An airline is almost certainly not going to want to touch you. When you fail a checkride of that caliber you are telling the company one thing, when put into a high stress situation in bigger equipment, you will fail.

This certainly may not be the case with you but unfortunately history has shown that for now, it is the case with you and airlines will only see that. As Rick said, find yourself into something turbine and rack up some time. If you can get a type rating or two under your belt with multiple recurrent cycles and a few years you stand a chance of making it into 121.

 

There is a whole world of flying out there, some quite interesting and well paying that are not Part 121. Flying as a career does not automatically mean Airline Pilot.

 

Im sure it is safe to say that my 121 career is probably over. I MAY be able to get back in a few years, but to be honest, I don't think I even want to. Im am just about done with a degree and I am going to see where that takes me. If I can find some flying gig on the side, that would be just fine with me.

 

Apply at silver... You'll be a Saab captain in no time

 

It certainly is not, unless you elect to make it so.

The best way to get over a lost love is to find a new one. The best way to get over a failure at a job is to succeed at a new one.

I've represented crew members in disciplinary hearings before who thought it was over for them, too. Not so. A termination isn't the end of the line. It's not the end of your life, nor the end of your career. Same for a failed checkride. Two in a row aren't a good sign, but nothing is cast in stone, here. Failures in the simulator are the fault of the participant, but often also the fault of the training department.

If you're discouraged with your position, you need to evaluate what's best for you, but you haven't made up your mind yet, or you wouldn't have broadcast your dilemma here. You've got a lot of options, not the least of which is your schooling. You indicated Alaska flying. That's an option. So are a number of other things. So long as you're up front and honest with yourself and with future employers, you won't find these events to be as big a thing as you think. I've known people who had gear-up landings who though that their career was over. Guess what? it wasn't.

Getting some space between you and the failures ought to be your priority for now. Fill that space with other employment. Other flying. Show yourself and show future employers that you don't give up, that you can be trained, that you can work. You've fallen off the horse. Fair enough. It's always important to get back on the horse, for your own welfare if for no other reason.

The only reason your career is over at this point is if you allow it to be so. It's still under your control.

 

Thank you all for the advise. Its all much appreciated. I am not quite ready to pack it in quite yet, but its gonna take a little time to put this behind me. Having a degree wont hurt me at all with whatever I do, so I will just focus on that for a while.

 

Who did you fly for in Alaska? Every operator up there is looking for seasonal pilots. I used to fly up there and consider going back from time to time...