Getting to a major
10-08-2011 | 07:10 AM
#41
veut gagner à la loterie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,286
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From: Light Chop
I'm not saying its such a bad thing, although I wish the ones without contacts were given a more equal shake than those with the contacts. I am just another mid-30'd white guy flying an RJ with a few thousand hours trying to further my career. Finding a way to stand out amongst the crowd is difficult. The OP asked about "Getting to a major" and asked about where to go for flight time and such, when no one pointed out to him that with the right contacts he can get on the short list when a hiring round comes up.
Currently I well exceed the basic hiring minimums - and I'd put myself in the lower end of the competitive minimums. If you asked me would I rather magically have another 3,000 TPIC in my logbook OR the FedEx Chief Pilot's contact info and be on a first name basis with him.......I'll take the contact info.
Currently I well exceed the basic hiring minimums - and I'd put myself in the lower end of the competitive minimums. If you asked me would I rather magically have another 3,000 TPIC in my logbook OR the FedEx Chief Pilot's contact info and be on a first name basis with him.......I'll take the contact info.
A buddy of mine has a friend desperate to get on with DAL. For a time there he went to as many job fairs as he could to the point the Delta folks knew his name when he showed up. I'll have to ask how that turned out for him.
Of course a Coex buddy went to a job fair way back a few years ago and hoped to get on with AirTran. He handed his resume over to a female FO who handed it right back and said sorry not enough Captain time. The irony. Oh well, he's at Delta now and she lost them a great pilot... I mean why not take the resume?? And I know he wasn't the only one because I know of someone else rejected by AirTran but whose resume was taken by DAL and they got a call. All that to say if necessary do more than one.
Last edited by forgot to bid; 10-08-2011 at 08:03 AM.
10-08-2011 | 03:39 PM
#42
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 268
Likes: 1
From: BE-20, LR35
I used to really want heavy international, but have since learned that on my deathbed I really won't give a ******* if I have 8000 hours 747 or 757 or G4 or whatever in my logbook. I want to fly equipment that maximizes my quality of life and time I can spend w/ family and friends (which is apparently impossible in the aviation industry 
cue flaming from the likes of SkyHigh).
cue flaming from the likes of SkyHigh).
10-08-2011 | 03:46 PM
#43
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 268
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From: BE-20, LR35
I have many friends in corporate flight departments that wouldn't consider it being 'stuck in a rut.' Of course it depends upon the company, but if you get yourself into a great corporate position you could end up making just as much as a 121 captain and have a much better quality of life. Also, depending on the type ratings you hold and networking, you can make really great money contracting on your days off ($400 a day minimum for a light jet SIC up to $1500+ a day for large business jet PIC).
10-08-2011 | 06:23 PM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,232
Likes: 62
From: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Unfortunately, in some cases the 121 operators are not a step down, but a jump off the cliff
.
The US is no longer the land of opportunity as it relates to commercial aviation
.
.The US is no longer the land of opportunity as it relates to commercial aviation
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10-08-2011 | 06:37 PM
#45
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,884
Likes: 0
From: Left seat on a kite
I have many friends in corporate flight departments that wouldn't consider it being 'stuck in a rut.' Of course it depends upon the company, but if you get yourself into a great corporate position you could end up making just as much as a 121 captain and have a much better quality of life. Also, depending on the type ratings you hold and networking, you can make really great money contracting on your days off ($400 a day minimum for a light jet SIC up to $1500+ a day for large business jet PIC).
I have really enjoyed the flying and the few overnights that we do. The pay is twice what I made a Eagle....but the schedule is the big hang up for most.
10-09-2011 | 06:58 AM
#46
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 87
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From: None
I live in a place where I think I'm the only pilot anywhere nearby. I see pharma reps who have seen their $150K salaries cut by 2/3rds. All with strong educational backgrounds. I can't tell you how many businesses I've seen fail. I've seen finance people working at a major bank here in ATL work Monday through Friday, 7am - 10pm with the threat of doing anything less will mean that they will lose their jobs with "pending budget cuts". I've seen people come home on a Friday night to spend time with their family to only get a call, where are you? And oh by the way, we'll be here for a full day tomorrow. I have a friend with an MBA and he just past the bar and it took him 15 months to find a starter job. I can't tell you how many people I've seen show up at an unemployed prayer group. All college educated, many with masters degrees, ugly as all get out around here.
Nothing is perfect, but I promise non-commuting mainline is a good deal even on chapter 11 concessionary pay and work rules. All of which will need improving.
Nothing is perfect, but I promise non-commuting mainline is a good deal even on chapter 11 concessionary pay and work rules. All of which will need improving.
Yes if you compare the airline job to what it used to be before deregulation or even 911 it has gone downhill but try comparing aviation to what it's really like outside of aviation. Even if you get stuck at a regional living in base for the rest of your life, go try and make 100k in the corporate world with half of the month off. With that being said I will admit that if you get laid off from an airline job it doesn't even compair to a corporate layoff because you can't move laterally and you have to start from scratch. My point is just like you said, that the airline job isn't perfect but neither is the non-aviation corporate job.
10-09-2011 | 07:19 AM
#47
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 75
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From: B757/B767 Typed
This is so true and the most common point that airline pilots overlook. The grass always looks greener outside of aviation but I can tell you that it's not from personal experience working for a so called stable company that used to be number 21 on the Fortune list. Just like you said, I have my MBA and I worked sometimes from 7am to midnight only to be at work the next day at 7am, my laptop and blackberry always followed me home on the weekends. I've watched not hundreds but thousands of people get laid off over time, management get hacked in half and combined with other divisions.
Yes if you compare the airline job to what it used to be before deregulation or even 911 it has gone downhill but try comparing aviation to what it's really like outside of aviation. Even if you get stuck at a regional living in base for the rest of your life, go try and make 100k in the corporate world with half of the month off. With that being said I will admit that if you get laid off from an airline job it doesn't even compair to a corporate layoff because you can't move laterally and you have to start from scratch. My point is just like you said, that the airline job isn't perfect but neither is the non-aviation corporate job.
Yes if you compare the airline job to what it used to be before deregulation or even 911 it has gone downhill but try comparing aviation to what it's really like outside of aviation. Even if you get stuck at a regional living in base for the rest of your life, go try and make 100k in the corporate world with half of the month off. With that being said I will admit that if you get laid off from an airline job it doesn't even compair to a corporate layoff because you can't move laterally and you have to start from scratch. My point is just like you said, that the airline job isn't perfect but neither is the non-aviation corporate job.
10-09-2011 | 10:33 AM
#48
Thread Starter
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,306
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From: Dream within a dream
10-09-2011 | 11:46 AM
#49
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 556
Likes: 24
From: On all fours
Where outside of the US is commercial aviation flourishing that one would want to and could easily move to? I am not disagreeing, just asking. I do not think I could live in the Far East or the UAE. The foreign airline I am considering the most seriously is Air Canada, but getting Canadian citizenship seems to be the major issue. I have to prove residence in Canada for a few years before I can apply for citizenship...great, how am I supposed to do that and work a flying job at the same time?
10-09-2011 | 05:03 PM
#50
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Joined: May 2009
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I'd consider a job overseas, after careful consideration of family factors, a spouse open to new cultures, etc. The future of aviation in the US is, realistically, on a long-term downward spiral...things look only to get worse. Many opportunities for very high pay, no tax, perks, etc exist abroad...but, you must have some multi-engine command time (ATP with no circling restrictions and a valuable type-rating). What looks to be a bright future here, could be something completely different in 5 years...consider what majors may go bankrupt. Anyway, something to consider. The market for pilots here looks bleak, and will get bleaker. Sam
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