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Questions about careers in aviation - Time away from home

Old 02-05-2009, 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
That's true, but they are about the only major that can make that claim due to their unique business model.
They want at least 3000 hours right? Could you explain their "unique" business model to me?
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Old 02-05-2009, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Razorback09 View Post
They want at least 3000 hours right? Could you explain their "unique" business model to me?
They are not a "hub-and-spoke" airline, they primarily serve tourists to vacation destinations. Their pilots are based at these destinations, when they come in to work they fly to another city, then turn around and fly back to their domicile. I think they might do one long round-trip or two shorter ones each day.

I think most or all of their schedules do not involve overnights away from base. Most airlines need to have crews overnight at outstations so that they can work the early-morning flight back to the hub for those people making connections.

Because Allegiant's "hubs" are tourist destinations, most travelers are not going there to make a connection, and do not need to arrive at some ungodly early hour. This allows the first flight of the day to be outbound, vice inbound. Saves on hotels, and gets the crews home each night.
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Old 02-06-2009, 02:25 PM
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Sounds pretty good thanks Rickair. Now I figure i'm gonna instruct for a while since I'll come out of college with CFI, CFII and MEI. Then who knows. I find the jobs most people dont like rather attractrive (ex. Flying banners, teaching, pipe patrol, dusting crops, especially bush flying). I could also see myself island hopping maybe. I have a couple more questions. What types of planes would it be best to build time on in college? They have Maule MXT-7-160's, Maule MXT-7-180's, Piper Arrows, Cessna 172RG's , Beechcraft Duchesses's , And american Champion Citabria's. I'd like to get time in all of them at some point (want that tailwheel, complex, and high performance experience) but which would be best to build time in? Will it matter when i'm looking for a job doing something like I'd enjoy (I'm probably not headed for the airlines)?
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Old 02-06-2009, 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Razorback09 View Post
Sounds pretty good thanks Rickair. Now I figure i'm gonna instruct for a while since I'll come out of college with CFI, CFII and MEI. Then who knows. I find the jobs most people dont like rather attractrive (ex. Flying banners, teaching, pipe patrol, dusting crops, especially bush flying). I could also see myself island hopping maybe. I have a couple more questions. What types of planes would it be best to build time on in college? They have Maule MXT-7-160's, Maule MXT-7-180's, Piper Arrows, Cessna 172RG's , Beechcraft Duchesses's , And american Champion Citabria's. I'd like to get time in all of them at some point (want that tailwheel, complex, and high performance experience) but which would be best to build time in? Will it matter when i'm looking for a job doing something like I'd enjoy (I'm probably not headed for the airlines)?
For most professional jobs, multi-engine time is key. It is hard to get at the entry level, and expensive if you have to buy it. If you have an opportunity to work as an MEI that would be my first priority.

Other than that, if you are interested in non-traditional flying, I'd fly the Maule and citabria. Everybody in professional aviation has a complex and high-performance endorsement so that won't set you apart, but a bunch of tailwheel time will help make you competitive for those non-traditional jobs.
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Old 02-06-2009, 05:19 PM
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Hawaiian Airlines flying 717's interisland-0 overnights per month, just once a year during recurrent. Of course it is a unique situation.
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Old 02-07-2009, 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by rickair7777 View Post
For most professional jobs, multi-engine time is key. It is hard to get at the entry level, and expensive if you have to buy it. If you have an opportunity to work as an MEI that would be my first priority.

Other than that, if you are interested in non-traditional flying, I'd fly the Maule and citabria. Everybody in professional aviation has a complex and high-performance endorsement so that won't set you apart, but a bunch of tailwheel time will help make you competitive for those non-traditional jobs.
Thanks alot! You've answered a lot of my questions! I'm ready to get started now but I still have a couple months til graduation . Thanks for all your help.
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Old 02-08-2009, 08:22 AM
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Part 135 flying will keep you close to home most of the time.
Choose the type of flying that will work for you and your desired lifestyle.
You don't have to buy into the fact that the only career in aviation is with the airlines.
You will eventually need or want a social life so plan for that too.
But don't make your family suffer from your choice to "follow your dream" because it's not fair to them.
Good luck in whatever you decide and have fun along the way.
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Old 02-08-2009, 09:41 AM
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Originally Posted by chongololo View Post
Part 135 flying will keep you close to home most of the time.
Choose the type of flying that will work for you and your desired lifestyle.
You don't have to buy into the fact that the only career in aviation is with the airlines.
You will eventually need or want a social life so plan for that too.
But don't make your family suffer from your choice to "follow your dream" because it's not fair to them.
Good luck in whatever you decide and have fun along the way.
this man speaks the truth even though he sounds like the south african dr. phil.
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