Hello everyone -
I am a career changer. I put my MBA on hold and left a management job (great timing) and am currently flight instructing. I will cross 900 tt this week with 150 multi. My long term goal was Cathay Pacific's direct entry SO program, but I just found out that I will not qualify for years. So where can a guy afford to break into the industry with a wife and two little kids? I don't think I can afford to go to the regionals unless I continue schooling with student loans. Is there anywhere I could work where I can earn turbine time AND pay my bills? Maybe in the Caribbean or overseas?
Thanks!!

 

Damn, I hate to be the dude that breaks it to you, but looks like you are in for quite the ride. This indusrty is very volatile as you may have noticed. Nothing is certain until it is certain. In otherwords, you might get offered a job and get through training only to be told that the airline that hired you in the first place is closing. well, I am sure you have done your research. Right now the best and possibly only thing you can do is keep instructing because no one is hiring. A lot of places overseas do not train their pilots. They want you to be typed on the equipment they fly before you even show for the interview. The ones that might show interest will be small operators with light twins and C206'S or 210's, in which case I think you are better off in the states. It is just the way everything seems to be playing out right now. So right now just grab that six pack and sip away and wait for the door bell to ring. It could be tomorrow or next year....no one knows for sure. Once again, foreign operators always want you to be typed with time in type as well. So a brief stint at the regionals might be your alternative and then take that rating with you on to wherever. Good luck and keep them safe up there!

 

Thanks ugflyer. I'm trying to keep plugging away, I'm just feeling especially antsy because I already took a huge pay cut to do this. Ideally we should all do what we love, but we still have to pay the bills.

Anyone else have any ideas?

 

I know that I am going to get slammed for doing this, but I don't care. Colgan Air is hiring Saab 340 FO's with 1000TT and 100ME. If you bust your butt, you could most likely upgrade within a year or so, and then start building your Turbine PIC time. I know it's not a dream job, but if it gets you to where you need to be to get a job flying internationally, then so be it. Best of luck to you and your family.

Lax

 

Thanks laxrox43. Some might dog it, but I know I have to pay my dues. I am eager to do so. Colgan's website says they are hiring, but the APC website says "Not hiring for remainder of 2008. 40-60 pilots being furloughed beginning in November. Voluntary furloughs until then." What gives? PSA did the same thing. Their website said they were hiring too. I called them, and they said they were not hiring and would change their website...

 

Spoke to a friend that was to be furloughed by Colgan in November and he confirmed the furlough would not happen. And they are also hiring SAAB drivers. I have the time, but I am going to hold out for a while. So what you have heard is not mere speculation, but concrete facts..........

 

Colgan is hiring. Do not rely on the APC website. It lags behind the news a lot. Apply and give it a shot. I HIGHLY doubt you will upgrade in a year there now. The days of 8 month upgrade times are over for at least the next 4 years. Your only other choice is to find something corporate.

 

Proskuneho,

Where about do you live? You don't need to give your exact location, but maybe list a couple of airports that you live by. Maybe some of us corporate guys can stear you in the direction of a local company looking for an SIC?

 

Thanks for the help. I currently work in coastal central Florida. I own a house near Charlotte and have relatives near Asheville, NC. I also have family north of Detroit, so I am willing to work in any of those areas. I'll probably be willing to go anywhere that I can afford to pay my bills. By the time we pay for childcare, it is not worth it for my wife to get a job until she completes her degree. Therefore, I have to carry the load...
Thanks again!!

 

Well, if you can get an interview with Colgan, I know that Dulles is relatively Jr. for Saab FO's, and I also know that it is VERY commutable from Charlotte, NC. Let me know if you need help with the application process. It might be a good idea to get started sooner then later. The application takes a couple of hours to fill out.

Lax

PS. What flight school do you instruct for?