Networking
 

Ok I have another question for you pilots. I see a lot on this site as well as others about the best way to get a decent Corporate pilot's job is to network and meet people to find out about other jobs. Well, where are some good places to network for jobs?? I would like to dive in ASAP!!
Also where/how did you guys get your jobs?? So you know of any stories about pilots getting in the right place at the right time??? Where?

Work line service at a busy FBO that gets a lot of jet traffic.

What's that?
 

I'm sorry but I am very new to all this. What is work line service?? I know what the FBO is but will they let anybody just walk around in thier nice lobby's?? I got strange looks when I went to the one here in my town.

Line Service is the department the manages the sale of fuel and service to customers. You would fuel planes and do all the other ramp services.

I started out working the line... so did a bunch of members of this site is my guess.

I worked as an "FBO Chick" for several months. I had male co-workers as well. I got several job offers at the time, though I didn't accept any of them for various reasons.

The FBO Chick (or FBO Dude) is the person who works the counter and is in cooperative efforts with the Linemen (Linewomen). They work the front desk, answer phones, schedule crew/rental cars, limos, hotels, meals, catering, schedule fueling and plane pulls, ego control ;), and um...fending off hot dates from dorky pilots who think they're hot stuff.

Anyway, my point is, you come in contact with many bored pilots who are willing to chat off your ear. I still have some of their business cards kicking around, four years later. It's some of the best networking I ever did, next to going to a professional flight school.


Personal story that's semi-pertinent:
I worked at a place that was dripping in sexuality. It was Jet Executive Center at PIE (St. Pete/Clearwater), though they're now out of business....no surprise. In some ways it was fun, in others, it was obnoxious. "The girls" as we referred to a group of three of the employees, were only ever thinking of how perfect their make-up was, flirting with the pilots and generally be freakishly over-sexed in a professional setting. I kid you not, they spent months losing weight, tanning and otherwise prepping for some FBO Convention they attended. They were dead set on winning some "Hot FBO Employee" Award that was given out. They prepped for this the way some women prepare and obsess over their wedding! I am extremely liberal and a very open person...but this was sooo inappropriate. A typical uniform for an FBO Counterperson is khakis and an embroidered button down, navy suit, or something else attractive, feminine but a tad conservative...remember the clientele we're considering! Anyway, my uniform was a one-size too small embroidered polo shirt, and I had to go buy my own khaki shorts. I got a 'talking to' because my shorts were too long. The inseam on them was about 3".

http://www.fbohotties.com/ See...there's even a website about the whole phenomenon. :)

Like I said in the other thread that was ended not too long ago.... Women are ruining aviation. Take your job seriously. You are the reason we get such a bad rap. Thanks <----patronizing

I too worked the fbo's... But I was out in the -10 degree weather fueling the MU-2's alone....

I'm not sure if I am the "you" above or if you are directing that post at the three female employees I told a story about. If it's directed at them, yes, I agree with your comment.

To clarify:
I didn't take part in the bull that occurred at Jet Exec and I got myself out of there as quickly as possible. Sometimes, you take what's available when you have bills to pay. I didn't want to play their sex games and therefore I didn't fit in there. I left, moved on, up and am happily away from companies that see women purely as sex objects. I filled out a form for my uniform shirts. I checked "S" in the size options. They intentionally ordered me XS shirts and told me to, "Just wear them. They'll order more fuel," when I pointed out their 'mistake.'

Thankfully, I wasn't there long and now work for a company that values families and employee happiness.

I realize my first post wasn't particularly clear, so hopefully that helps. With close friends and people who you know will take it the right way, it's fun to play sexy. It's downright innappropriate what was going on at Jet Exec, though, and I was trying to convey that.

I feel for you. MU-2's even suck on a 70 degree day with 2 people fueling.

M. Knockers, that 's a big, sorry, my bad. Didn't mean to get my panites all up in a bunch....thanks for the clarification

Yea, nothing like getting blasted in the face with pressurized Jet-A to start your morning

Thanks, HMP. I read you post and was scatching my head. So, I went back to my post and realized it was a little lacking.

Like it was said before get a job working in customer service at an FBO. You are able to interact with many people who are responsible for local flight departments. That is how I got my 135 and corp jobs.

Getting back to the original topic... Other ways to network:

Hang out in FBOs and talk to flight crews that come in.
Start a business card collection from the folks that you meet/greet.
Go to FAA safety seminars, professional conferences (such as NBAA, Women in Aviation, AOPA, etc).
Meet people in person that you talk to via forums like this.
Ask other people you know in the industry to introduce you to other pilots.

Most importantly (in my mind), have a good attitude, stay humble vs arrogant, and be open to opportunities that might arise for learning and career. If you have these qualities, it's a lot more likely that somebody will be willing to spend their time "mentoring" you along the way.

Mach, that has/had harrassment suit written all over it.

MU-2s just plain suck.

Line service is great for networking. I have a large stack of business cards on my desk and a number of "give me a call when you reach (enter total time here)". I did it for five years, with the exception of being outside in bitter cold, or worse rain in the upper 30s, it was a great job.

Best networking job ever...
FO Simulator Contract Pilot for Capts. w/o FOs. Flight Safety ILG employs these people and other branches may and other companies may as well...no idea. Turn over for a 400-800 hour pilot was about 3-6 months back in 2000 when they offered me a job, which I did not take. This is BY FAR the best networking job on the planet in my humble opinion. The other is working for a small to mid size charter company with as low time as you can get in with.

Just my .02

Good Morning everyone!

+1 on working line service. I started out working line for an FBO that also had a charter department. I built my ratings while working that job and built a good working relationship with the pilots and the chief pilot. When an opportunity came up for a low-time piston twin co-pilot (to satisfy a couple of their contracts that required two pilots), I got the nod. Over the next several years I built my time, worked my way up through piston twin captain, turbo-prop co-pilot, turbo-prop captain, jet co-pilot, jet captain. After 8 years flying 135 charter with them, I left for the corporate job I've been at now for 9 years.

Word of advice, though, if you go this route: Do the job you were hired to do without making any noise about it just being a "stepping stone" to a flying job. We ran a lot of guys like that right back out the door becausing they just weren't cutting it. You've got to prove you have a good work ethic from the very beginning before you'll be considered for anything else down the road.

[QUOTE=aero550;69341Word of advice, though, if you go this route: Do the job you were hired to do without making any noise about it just being a "stepping stone" to a flying job. We ran a lot of guys like that right back out the door becausing they just weren't cutting it. You've got to prove you have a good work ethic from the very beginning before you'll be considered for anything else down the road.[/QUOTE]


Very true. Dont whine and kkep smiling no matter what. Most employers know you won't stay there forever, but do NOT treat them like they are just your tool.

Great Feedback..
 

Wow, I want to thank everyone that leaft me some feedback. I will take this advise to heart and try it out.
I did have a question about FBO's, I live near Grand Junction CO, FBO is run by West Star Aviation. How does one go about obtaining a job there (walk in and ask for an app.)? Also how is the pay at these places (FBO's)
Thanks to EVERYONE again...

Yes, just go in and and ask to fill out an app. If they happen to be hiring for a position, they may interview you right on the spot if the right person is available. I'm out of touch with what lineservice pays these days, but it should be something above min. wage, particularly a place like West Star - that's a fairly large operation.

Hey everybody......I'm new here...
But I will agree that line service is the best job for networking, .....unless you live in Mobile, AL......then you will have to do like me and move to get a good job!