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Originally Posted by SkyHigh
(Post 623351)
I graduated from my esteemed university aviation program just before the recession of the early 1990's. 80% of my graduating class never even got their first job as a pilot. I had to move several times. Flight schools were closing all over the place.
For 9 months I choose to live in my truck as I drove across the country in search of a flying job. Eventually a former student and I bought a 150 together and I began to instruct in it while still living in my truck. As a tip students would feed me lunch and let me crash on their couch for a day or two. No joke it was hard times but I was not about to let my dream go. It took five years before things began to loosen up at the lower levels. I had officially given up, had an apartment and was working as a county firefighter when I received a job offer out of the blue for a flying job. It was a short contract but I did it anyway. Six months later I was back to crashing on peoples couches. It took me 8 years to get to a regional airline. I was the lowest time guy in my class with 4000 hours. Skyhigh I had about 4500 hours in 1996 and I was getting one major airline interview after another. I wonder why the difference?:rolleyes: In the early 90's I was in Alaska working my butt off. It sure seemed like there was plenty of demand if you were willing to go where you were needed. |
It's still possible...
There are still jobs out there, if you are willing to go to them or work non-traditionally. Right now I have 4 jobs, all in aviation, and 1 not in aviation. I had to beat the bushes and be very persistent. The problem, obviously, is that none of them pay well enough to rely on, hence 5 jobs. I instruct at 2 different schools, fly part-time on-demand charter (PIC Navajo and Baron) and fly for an individual non-pilot owner. I also have a reputation where I get calls from other people for day trips, aircraft deliveries, etc... In this environment, you have to be very flexible. I'm talking to 3 other companies about part-time flying employment. You have to show your face. 1900 hrs. TT, ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI. Turned down a Great Lakes offer in Feb. Couldn't take the pay cut.
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NIce
I would love to here some more optomistic views |
2500TT, all high performance military jet and transport time. B-737 type, ATP and the only call I received for an interview was with Colgan. $22hr, no thanks. I even applied to several oversees carriers. Now working a job in finance as I wait for the tide to reverse... may never return to the airline dream if finance pays me more than a 30 yr Captain at age 35. Just my .02. The industry will never be as good as it was to my father who retired after 30 at AA with a nice lump sum. ps... he retired on his 60th birthday. :)
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Originally Posted by 3wire
(Post 634140)
2500TT, all high performance military jet and transport time. B-737 type, ATP and the only call I received for an interview was with Colgan. $22hr, no thanks. I even applied to several oversees carriers. Now working a job in finance as I wait for the tide to reverse... may never return to the airline dream if finance pays me more than a 30 yr Captain at age 35. Just my .02. The industry will never be as good as it was to my father who retired after 30 at AA with a nice lump sum. ps... he retired on his 60th birthday. :)
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Originally Posted by rickt86
(Post 634173)
Im 22 fresh out of college with 280 hrs and a comm. I did 2 months as office manager for a DZ, and im now flying jumpers 2 days a week plus some weekends and as needed, I got 310 hrs now I got to fly jumpers with a fresh comm inst and 270 hrs, i did my time and slowly am getting moved to fly more and more....and its 2009....just do your time and tough it out, and you will get your chance
USMCFLYR |
Originally Posted by USMCFLYR
(Post 634181)
Did you really just say that you have "[sic] done your time" and told 3wire to "tough it out and [he] will get his chance? :D I'm thinking that I misread your post - or at least the intent.
USMCFLYR |
Originally Posted by Blaine01
(Post 634425)
haha his post has to be sarcastic there is no way he is comparing the two
USMCFLYR |
yes ...that's a wierd one.
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im glad one person got that i was mostly being sarcastic
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