It really is who you know...
07-18-2013, 10:46 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2008
Posts: 122
It really is who you know...
A little bit upset here.. Just missed a call from an old CFI of mine who needed an FO for a trip in a Citation...
I called him back 5 min later, but he already called another guy and I missed out...
The extent of my turbine time at the moment is .5 in a Challenger, so I really would have liked to have this opportunity...
Moral of the story: Always answer your phone!!! You never know when it might be opportunity calling..
I called him back 5 min later, but he already called another guy and I missed out...
The extent of my turbine time at the moment is .5 in a Challenger, so I really would have liked to have this opportunity...
Moral of the story: Always answer your phone!!! You never know when it might be opportunity calling..
07-18-2013, 12:28 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Posts: 26
Missed opportunity happened to me while I was working on my Commercial. I did answer the phone. A buddy of mine call me in a panic asking how many hours I had. At the time I only had around 200TT. His company was looking for FO's in a King Air. I think the only way to get in is by who you know. If I only had my certificate. Never got the call since. Its been about 8 years.
07-18-2013, 01:02 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by lstorm2003
A little bit upset here.. Just missed a call from an old CFI of mine who needed an FO for a trip in a Citation...
I called him back 5 min later, but he already called another guy and I missed out...
The extent of my turbine time at the moment is .5 in a Challenger, so I really would have liked to have this opportunity...
Moral of the story: Always answer your phone!!! You never know when it might be opportunity calling..
I called him back 5 min later, but he already called another guy and I missed out...
The extent of my turbine time at the moment is .5 in a Challenger, so I really would have liked to have this opportunity...
Moral of the story: Always answer your phone!!! You never know when it might be opportunity calling..
At least it sounds like you KNEW the right person/people in this case - just the timing was off.
Be sure and call him back and say that you appreciated the call and you hope he'll keep you in mind if he needs someone again.
07-18-2013, 01:18 PM
#4
Where's my Mai Tai?
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: fins to the left, fins to the right
Posts: 1,730
I was a CFI/line guy and was asked to go for a 20 minute ride (each way) in a Lear so they could get the radios worked on. I had my high altitude endorsement so I could log it as dual. When I went to change clothes, another CFi asked about it and if he could take it. I said sure, didn't really care about less than 1 hour dual received to sit for 4-5 hours.
What I didn't know until later, it was a job interview since they were looking for a FO. My friend was hired at Papa Johns that day, but it all works out as we are at the same place now.
It all works out in the end. We each had different opportunities through the years.
What I didn't know until later, it was a job interview since they were looking for a FO. My friend was hired at Papa Johns that day, but it all works out as we are at the same place now.
It all works out in the end. We each had different opportunities through the years.
Last edited by Swedish Blender; 07-18-2013 at 01:37 PM.
07-18-2013, 04:41 PM
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: C525
Posts: 62
It really is who you know.
In regards to missed opportunities, I was working line service in Nashville one evening and a gentleman called looking for an FO on a Falcon 2000 for a 4 day trip to Naples. All he and the insurance were looking for was a multi engine rating. My check ride was three days after the scheduled departure.
When someone calls asking how much time you have in a certain airframe, you ask how much they are looking for and just happen to have that much.
In regards to missed opportunities, I was working line service in Nashville one evening and a gentleman called looking for an FO on a Falcon 2000 for a 4 day trip to Naples. All he and the insurance were looking for was a multi engine rating. My check ride was three days after the scheduled departure.
When someone calls asking how much time you have in a certain airframe, you ask how much they are looking for and just happen to have that much.
07-18-2013, 08:09 PM
#6
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,009
It really isn't who you know. That may get you so far, but after that, it's what you know.
I really tire of people telling other people in the industry that it's all about connections. I have a reasonably long and successful career behind me, more to go, and I have yet to use a connection to find or get a job. Certainly it can be done, and certainly some have great success networking their way up the career ladder. It most absolutely, definitely, is NOT necessary, and one can do just fine without using contacts to get somewhere.
I really tire of people telling other people in the industry that it's all about connections. I have a reasonably long and successful career behind me, more to go, and I have yet to use a connection to find or get a job. Certainly it can be done, and certainly some have great success networking their way up the career ladder. It most absolutely, definitely, is NOT necessary, and one can do just fine without using contacts to get somewhere.
07-18-2013, 08:19 PM
#9
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2013
Position: Greasy side up
Posts: 45
Originally Posted by SurfNsun
You can know all the "right" people & know "everything" but if your timing is off you're screwed. Timing is everything...
To echo what a lot of people have said here already, lstorm keep your head high, it sounds like you already know a lot of the right people. USMCFLYR gave good advice , keep in touch and thank that contact for the opportunity. You never know what call you'll get tomorrow!!!
