Pilots build a high level of specialized knowledge and experience that really has no value to the outside world. Much of it even has no value to other flying jobs.

Get laid off or loose an eye and you are near worthless in the job market.

Skyhigh

 

I agree; although I pick and choose which forum topics I wish to participate @ JC.



atp

 

This guy hit the nail right on the head IMO. We are all at different levels of our aviation career and for some things are going quite well and for others things are brutal. It's all relative!!!


atp

 

"Get laid off or loose an eye and you are near worthless in the job market."

Skyhigh today.

"Pilots are highly dedicated, smart and disciplined individuals that have a lot to offer to the world. Set your sights and it will be like shooting fish in a barrel"

Skyhigh 8/6/08.

I don't make this stuff up......

 

I wrote that. However my intent was to state that pilots could use their determination and intelligence start a business or apply themselves to the development of a new job or trade with a more successful outcome than had they remained in aviation.

Pilots invest many years into the development of job skills that are useless to them on the outside world. However the personality traits that it takes to make a pilot can be used to a higher benefit if accurately applied elsewhere.

Most other jobs and professions build value over time and offer some kind of crossover to other professions if the need arises. As a pilot dumped on the street tomorrow they have Zero value to the outside job market. They have to start totally over.

Skyhigh

 

The determination and dedication that is takes to stick with aviation as a career I would think would be a good trait. On top of that I would think that the Situational Awarness, Assertiveness, Decision Making, Communication, Leadership, Adapatability/Flexability, and Mission Analysis would all be highly desired on the civilian market. I knew that CRM would come into use someday!

USMCFLYR

 

Your words are true, however in the real world no one cares. You are just pilot to them and you only know how to fly, not how to be good manager or have good decission making skills.

 

Rascal -

Then I guess you didn't understand what I was saying. I believe that an employer (especially the HR people) WOULD understand that as a former pilot you bring all of those qualities to any job that you might have; and you have proven those qualities on a daily basis in a way that most others don't have an opportunity too.

We in the military have certainly been taught that those qualities carry over into the civilian market - just look at a majority of the recruiting commercials.

In the end - I do not agree with what Skyhigh said that if something happened to your flying job that you would have "Zero value to the outside job market. They have to start totally over".

USMCFLYR

 

This is becoming more and more clear to me, at least in my case. Over and over, interview after interview, in the end I am seen as having no real transferable job skills. I have been told this point blank, several times for different positions from management to support - with salaries paying what I make now or lower, as a 3 year regional FO. It has proven to be extremely frustrating trying to get a job outside the cockpit. My degree is a BS in aviation management. At the time, I thought the management part would be enough of a backup. In my case at least, this is proving to not be true. I've almost resigned myself over to going back and getting a different degree.

I've tried my best to convey what the job actually entails - we are inflight managers and decision makers. Yet in the end they still think we really are just bus drivers in the sky.

Edit: Just saw the post above mine. USMC - this is what boggles me. I too hear of so many former pilots moving on to fantastic careers outside the cockpit - yet I'm hitting wall after wall. It's either due to 'lack of experience' (in jobs that would be pieces of cake!) or unrelated job skills/education. I think in the end it's my degree that has done me in. I should have pursued a 100% non aviation related degree.

It looks like I may medical out soon (won't go into it here - but so far the FAA is not giving good vibes...) so I'm going to have to get something going quickly!

 

Nightsky -

This is very disheartning to hear as I, like you, have a degree in aviation management and no other skills (or desires) other than flying - and my military experience.

USMCFLYR