proskuneho

I feel the same, if you replace the word "flying" with "managing" and "airline" with "management".

DC8DRIVER

OK proskuneho,

If it's flying that you have to do ... the key to success is turbine PIC time - multi engine turbine if you can and an ATP when you get the required hours.

Others on these boards may have more insight into some other fast track routes like intern programs at UPS or Fedex or possibly even pax majors (I'd recommend cargo carriers due to their "relative" stability). Even with the intern programs you'll need the flight time, though.

I still think you'd be better off making your fortune in another industry. Contrary to your experiences, honest people do it all the time. Not only do they succeed, they probably stay successful for more years and, no doubt, sleep better at night.

Good luck.

8

proskuneho

The key is, where to get turbine PIC... Don't know if I can afford the regionals right now. I have a new opportunity to right seat in a Twin Otter on skydiving runs, but I can't log anything because the guy doesn't have an ATP or an MEI. Not sure what else I can do besides keep instructing since I only have 1020 total with 260 multi...
I agree that being honest leads to better QOL in the long run. I actually have a business idea where I might be able to fly anyway! There is a small airport that I have dreamed of owning. I have actually asked the owner a few times if he was interested in selling eventually. He also has a small FBO and flight school. I thought about adding sky-diving, then the joint will be really jumping. I might put together a proposal and try to scrape together some investors...
The problem is that aviation businesses have higher risk for first year failure than restaurants!

Pontius Pilot

The guy I used to work for (also a very honest business man - honest to a fault!) invested his and his wife's retirements into a flight school. I thought he was crazy, especially since he's in his 70s. However, being honest was the thing that is doing him the business. A lot of the flight schools in the area collapsed due to shady management and general screwing of students. The result is that he has the only flight school in a metro area of almost 1 million people that is worth anything.

I can tell you from experience you can't afford the regionals. I'm in my first year and I average $12.65 a hour. Take out taxes, crashpad, vehicle, food and travel expenses related directly to this career - I take home about $6.50. Next year it will go up by about $1.50 an hour. Next year the same. And so on. I'll have 7 to 8 years before I start making decent money. The majors are where the money starts, but you almost have to go through the regionals first to get there. Lots of time and experience required.

I like your plan of the airport. Do your due diligence and see what you can get. You'll be you own boss, you seem motivated, and you seem to have a good background - in short, I think it would make you much happier than being pushed around at the regionals.

Good luck to you.

Planespotta

Caribbean-wise, I know Winair is currently hiring international pilots. There is a huge pilot shortage down there, and they are even going so far as to offer huge scholarships to students at aviation colleges in return for a guaranteed job right after graduation flying Otters and Islanders (but you have to commit).

Winair - Pilot Career Center Airline Details

Happy searching

ryguy

You could also try being an airport bum. A lot of breaks in the business have come from sheer dumb luck and being in the right place at the right time. Go ride along in that Otter because you never know who you are going to meet, just don't cancel paying students to do it. The more people you know in the industry the better. One big problem in Florida is that there are a lot of hungry pilots running around looking for the same jobs. The flip side to that is there are lots of airports and planes there too.

Try the corporate route initially. Many corporate pilots do more than just fly and with your previous experience you may find a receptive group that will hire you for double duty.

Brendan

Hey Planespotta, have you thought about flying down there at all?

30* and overcast is great and all, but a little sun would be a nice change!

Planespotta

Haha oh man, you said it. Not seeing the sun for a week does a number on you. Who wouldn't love to see this every day:

Photos: - Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

I'm seriously considering giving them a call

Brendan

I couldn't find an application for Winair online so I just sent the CP an email. Anybody know what they're hiring for (if anything)?

I know a lot of the Caribbean operators will fly the Islanders with 135 VFR captains, which is what I was hoping for seeing that I won't meet 135 IFR mins by the time I graduate in May.

Planespotta

I talked to my friend who is doing their program, and he said they are hiring for both the Twin Otter and the Islander. They need pilots badly down there.