How do I get the entry-level job?
 

Greetings everyone,

First a little background...

I have just attended a job interview with Pinnacle. I've worked for them for over a year now as a customer service rep. Unfortunately, I did not score high enough on the written exam to continue with the interview (one question away). Now, I would like to explore job opportunities elsewhere. I'm not sure how much I have to offer, I have 500TT/200ME, which was enough to interview at Pinnacle as an internal hire.

I've looked at climbto350.com and did not see many jobs for someone with my time. Do any of you in this forum know of companies/places that hire moderately-low time pilots? I don't have enough money to finish my CFI and I can't help but feeling "dead in the water". Living in North Louisiana doesn't have many options for a pilot, so I am willing to go just about anywhere. Any advice you men and women could give me would be well received and appreciated.

:confused:

Not trying to be a wise guy but when you are interviewing you really need to know your sh1t. Now, as where to go; Alaska has many flying opportunities.

Thanks Mike, you are absolutely correct. I studied for weeks, but its evident that I did not study enough. I don't blame anyone but myself for my failure. Thanks for the advice.

What ratings do you have? If you have your CFI ratings that would be a good job to have. You can build lots of time, and I also hear that it makes you a much better pilot to CFI for a year or so.

When I left my Part 141 program, I was only a couple of flights short of my CFI ride. I'm currently trying to figure out where I can find a few more pennies to finish it up. I really do want it. But I wanted to explore what other options there were out there besides instructing (while I know its a right of passage/ dues payment). Thanks guys!

All of the airline job opportunities for low-time pilots that I know of require you to attend an expensive program affiliated with the airline. Most of these are ab initio, but mesa's PACE program takes folks with a few hundred hours and a COMM/ME. However it will cost you around $15,000 I believe.

You might be able to find a job as a pipeline patrol or traffic watch pilot. Many of the Alaska opportunites require somewhat higher time, but I'm sure you could find something up there.

I think getting your CFI would be the most cost effective route and most beneficial to you in the long run. Airline interviews and ground schools are geared more to the CFI level; commercial pilots whose checkride knowledge and IFR skills are a distant memory usually fail out.

The secret to Alaska flying is to move there. Meet some pilots and get them to like you. (Meet them at the local watering hole). After a while you can get some rt. seat time (that you can log or not log if you know what I mean). After a while they trust you and you are offered a chance to fly when an opening becomes available.

It works but may take a while.

You could visit a local dropzone and fly skydivers.

Thanks all, I feel like I will be finishing up my CFI. When one door shuts, another opens type thing. I have an opprotunity to take a management position with my airline down in FL for double what I'm getting paid now. I think that I may persue the opprotunity and finish my CFI down there. I'm of the understanding that there are lots of flying positions available in FL. If any of you have any knowledge of the TLH area please let me know, I've never been there.

Thanks a million again folks for all the help!