My escape from the airline industry
10-18-2012, 06:51 PM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 112
My escape from the airline industry
Hey guys,
Just thought I would post my story to provide some insight to others.
I went to UND, commercial aviation degree. Worked for UND for 3 years in a couple different roles, instructor, stage pilot, management. Accepted a job at a regional airline flying a CRJ-200.
I realized fairly quick that working at an airline wasn't for me. I wanted to be home for my family, want to progress my career based on ability not seniority, didn't enjoy flying(why i got into this career), fed up with management vs pilots.
I printed off about 10 resumes/cover letters and went to all the local airports. Researched certified aviation managers using NBAA and got in contact with a couple chief pilots. Emailed and called, followed up and followed up. Scored an interview with a couple different corporate flight departments. Also had an interview with a local 141 flight department to be a full time instructor. My thinking was that I could progress this into a corporate career.
While I was out dropping off resumes I happened to see an aviation insurance company and decided to drop of my last "pilot" resume there. About 3 weeks later I got a call from that company. Interviewed and interviewed again with them.
About 3 months later I accepted a job with an aviation insurance company, non flying job. I'm extremely happy with my decision to leave the airline career. Now my lifestyle is based on my work ethic, abilities, dedication and passion. I still get to fly but now I fly for fun!
My point is that I would have NEVER thought about aviation insurance as a career but am extremely happy with where I am at. Pursue all opportunities, you never know what you will find.
Jetstream
Just thought I would post my story to provide some insight to others.
I went to UND, commercial aviation degree. Worked for UND for 3 years in a couple different roles, instructor, stage pilot, management. Accepted a job at a regional airline flying a CRJ-200.
I realized fairly quick that working at an airline wasn't for me. I wanted to be home for my family, want to progress my career based on ability not seniority, didn't enjoy flying(why i got into this career), fed up with management vs pilots.
I printed off about 10 resumes/cover letters and went to all the local airports. Researched certified aviation managers using NBAA and got in contact with a couple chief pilots. Emailed and called, followed up and followed up. Scored an interview with a couple different corporate flight departments. Also had an interview with a local 141 flight department to be a full time instructor. My thinking was that I could progress this into a corporate career.
While I was out dropping off resumes I happened to see an aviation insurance company and decided to drop of my last "pilot" resume there. About 3 weeks later I got a call from that company. Interviewed and interviewed again with them.
About 3 months later I accepted a job with an aviation insurance company, non flying job. I'm extremely happy with my decision to leave the airline career. Now my lifestyle is based on my work ethic, abilities, dedication and passion. I still get to fly but now I fly for fun!
My point is that I would have NEVER thought about aviation insurance as a career but am extremely happy with where I am at. Pursue all opportunities, you never know what you will find.
Jetstream
10-18-2012, 06:57 PM
#2
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2012
Posts: 68
Originally Posted by jetstream11
Hey guys,
Just thought I would post my story to provide some insight to others.
I went to UND, commercial aviation degree. Worked for UND for 3 years in a couple different roles, instructor, stage pilot, management. Accepted a job at a regional airline flying a CRJ-200.
I realized fairly quick that working at an airline wasn't for me. I wanted to be home for my family, want to progress my career based on ability not seniority, didn't enjoy flying(why i got into this career), fed up with management vs pilots.
I printed off about 10 resumes/cover letters and went to all the local airports. Researched certified aviation managers using NBAA and got in contact with a couple chief pilots. Emailed and called, followed up and followed up. Scored an interview with a couple different corporate flight departments. Also had an interview with a local 141 flight department to be a full time instructor. My thinking was that I could progress this into a corporate career.
While I was out dropping off resumes I happened to see an aviation insurance company and decided to drop of my last "pilot" resume there. About 3 weeks later I got a call from that company. Interviewed and interviewed again with them.
About 3 months later I accepted a job with an aviation insurance company, non flying job. I'm extremely happy with my decision to leave the airline career. Now my lifestyle is based on my work ethic, abilities, dedication and passion. I still get to fly but now I fly for fun!
My point is that I would have NEVER thought about aviation insurance as a career but am extremely happy with where I am at. Pursue all opportunities, you never know what you will find.
Jetstream
Just thought I would post my story to provide some insight to others.
I went to UND, commercial aviation degree. Worked for UND for 3 years in a couple different roles, instructor, stage pilot, management. Accepted a job at a regional airline flying a CRJ-200.
I realized fairly quick that working at an airline wasn't for me. I wanted to be home for my family, want to progress my career based on ability not seniority, didn't enjoy flying(why i got into this career), fed up with management vs pilots.
I printed off about 10 resumes/cover letters and went to all the local airports. Researched certified aviation managers using NBAA and got in contact with a couple chief pilots. Emailed and called, followed up and followed up. Scored an interview with a couple different corporate flight departments. Also had an interview with a local 141 flight department to be a full time instructor. My thinking was that I could progress this into a corporate career.
While I was out dropping off resumes I happened to see an aviation insurance company and decided to drop of my last "pilot" resume there. About 3 weeks later I got a call from that company. Interviewed and interviewed again with them.
About 3 months later I accepted a job with an aviation insurance company, non flying job. I'm extremely happy with my decision to leave the airline career. Now my lifestyle is based on my work ethic, abilities, dedication and passion. I still get to fly but now I fly for fun!
My point is that I would have NEVER thought about aviation insurance as a career but am extremely happy with where I am at. Pursue all opportunities, you never know what you will find.
Jetstream
Congratulations on your new job.
10-19-2012, 09:43 AM
#4
Somewhere in Europe
Joined APC: Jan 2010
Position: A330 FO
Posts: 117
My point is that I would have NEVER thought about aviation insurance as a career but am extremely happy with where I am at.
10-19-2012, 06:05 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Volleyball Player
Posts: 3,978
I interviewed with an insurance company. Even tho it was a "non flying job", they had a cirrus to use to fly out to places. Seemed like a pretty sweet deal and definitely still solidly in aviation. I think my FAA job is actually similar in some areas. Insurance is a good route.
12-16-2012, 10:10 AM
#6
New Hire
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 4
I did something similar.
I flew for 17 years in a european 737 airline until its bankruptcy (11 as captain). During the last years I was sort of "burned out" with airline flying and not having my own life. Then I started and finished the type rating course for another airplane in another airline, but didn't get to fly because another bankruptcy. So I decided to start studying for something different. After two months I found a captain job on a 737, so I was studying and flying at the same time. And when the moment came I quit flying and started the new job. Now, after three years, a year and a half flying a GA aircraft for fun and some part time airline flying to stay current, I have recovered my passion for flying and I read everything I can about aviation, something I did not do for years... And I have decided that I want to go back to flying professionally. Not at the airlines though, but to corporate or private aviation. Something I always wanted to do. Looks like it's not easy to get to that market in Europe even with 13000+ hours, but I want to try because I am sure I will be happy there.
I flew for 17 years in a european 737 airline until its bankruptcy (11 as captain). During the last years I was sort of "burned out" with airline flying and not having my own life. Then I started and finished the type rating course for another airplane in another airline, but didn't get to fly because another bankruptcy. So I decided to start studying for something different. After two months I found a captain job on a 737, so I was studying and flying at the same time. And when the moment came I quit flying and started the new job. Now, after three years, a year and a half flying a GA aircraft for fun and some part time airline flying to stay current, I have recovered my passion for flying and I read everything I can about aviation, something I did not do for years... And I have decided that I want to go back to flying professionally. Not at the airlines though, but to corporate or private aviation. Something I always wanted to do. Looks like it's not easy to get to that market in Europe even with 13000+ hours, but I want to try because I am sure I will be happy there.
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