SkyHigh

I too have experienced the stigma of trying to get a job in the outside world as a pilot. You really have to consider removing any evidence that you flew from your resume. In my case I have an aviation degree so I am doubly sunk.



Skyhigh

aeromike49

I was told that "if I hire you you will just leave for another pilot job" or I am not sure you will work full time here and I need a full time person. As far as the pilot jobs - I can only assume that the reason I have been turned down so many times is age - anyone over 50 - seems to be "to old" ? Nothing like being 23 with 5,000 hours to turbine time ?

USMCFLYR

Well.....both the reasons given above could be applicable to any field unfortunately. You will just have to do a extra good job of sellling yourself. As for age - although age discrimination is illegal - it happens on a regular basis I believe. I currently know someone who is incredibly qualified in the IT field who recently lost his contracting job in the DC area. He basically BUILT the mainframe operating language for the Department of Justice's computer system and had been working there for 20+ years (I'm no IT guy so I don't understand the ins and outs of his job and I didn't call him prior to writing this to explain it more to me). He has been on numerous interviews in the metro DC area sinceand not getting any bites! One reason I believe is that he is over 60 years old.
Good luck in getting a job in any field aeromike. No doubt it is tough out there. I heard all last week about how the Federal/State governments were the biggest employers right now.

USMCFLYR

SkyHigh

Aviation does not seem to have any transferable job skills. Unfortunately as pilots we spend our career building skills and a knowledge base that really has no value to the outside world.

Perhaps you should open a business or go back to school? On another thread USMCFLYR inspired me to go back to college. Seriously, I am taking a class this fall. Thanks USMCFLYR !!

Skyhigh

USMCFLYR

You're welcome Sky. I don't know what I said that may have prompted you to go back to school; but education is never a waste.

With that said - and since it has been awhile since I have made a rebuttal with something you've said (you had been on a roll!) I'll say this again for the umptenth time.
Having recently been through the Transition Course; the instructor from the CA State Department of Labor couldn't stop going on and on about what valuable skills we (there were two pilots in the class on top of being military retirees) brought to the outside world. We spoke of the 7 tenets of CRM and he spoke at length about how each of them could be used in the civilian job market.
I might have to turn them into *civvie* language that corporate America might understand better - but to say that pilot's have no skills transferable to the outside is just preposterous; and before you bring up some friend of a friend who has had a different experience I'll first state that I'm inclined to believe someone who finds people jobs for a living.

USMCFLYR

Learflyer

I agree USMC. People are fascinated with what we do and i've been able a time or two to correlate CRM with office managing, etc. For example, what other industry do you meet someone for the first time and then have to make CRM decisions together that same afternoon? We as pilots have to adapt to ever changing environments and I think it can be convincing to some employers.

SkyHigh

USMCFLYR,

I really hope it is true. In my experience however former career pilots have a real hard time finding a decent job outside of aviation. In your case, as I have mentioned before, you are a military officer who flies planes. A totally different position than merely being a line pilot for decades. I had a different reception at my employment office.


Skyhigh

USMCFLYR

And I knew that you would say that about being a military officer also - and I agree that it is incredibly helpful; but when I was discussing this with the instructor I was specifically discussing the CRM aspects of PILOTING and how they transfer to the civilian world. There are MANY aspects of getting the job I think you agree Sky; and I will continue to counter your contention that a pilot has no skills to offer outside of flying an airplane. MY experience, and the CA Department of Labor Instructor who helps pilots get jobs outside of aviation over the last 5 years he has had the job in the central valley, believes otherwise.
Once again Sky - I would ask that you don't make such sweeping statements as:
This statement is just too absolute and broad to be true.

USMCFLYR

USMCFLYR

True Learflyer - also Decision Making was one that we discussed in detail. We don't have a lot of time to mull over a decision. We get pretty good at taking in a lot of data in a quick time frame and making a decision on it; hopefully more right than wrong!

USMCFLYR

SkyHigh

It is possible that someone out there besides Walmart would like to hire former pilots but I have been fishing in the job market for a few decades now. I have watched my aviation peers struggle on the outside as well and have to disagree with you.

It is not easy starting over as a pilot. If it was then there would be a lot fewer airline pilots. You get stuck and have to completely start over if you want to leave. It really is the best hold that the regionals have on their workforce. If pilots were able to find good paying jobs easily then the regionals would have to pay more to keep them.


Skyhigh