Advice for a beginner
 

Alright, I'll be working on my IFR this summer and I'm trying to figure out a worthwhile summer job for a college junior to start paying off the costs.

My initial thought was being a lineboy or spending the summer washing planes would be a good avenue to pursue, but I have an uncle incharge of hiring at a nearby airport and he's told me that would be a complete waste of my time; the hours would be bad, I probably wouldn't like airports afterwards and it wouldn't be any type of an asset for getting hired as a pilot in any arena. He recommended finding the biggest paying job I can find and sticking with it. Problem is internships are almost nil this summer because of the economy and the only job I know I have for sure is the job I held last summer, 5 days a week for 8.75.

Anyone here have any experience as a lineboy, etc? If not, I'd love to here what you did to buy your training. ANY input is more than welcome.

Pumped Jet A at Hartsfield one summer. Worst job I ever had! I also drove dumptrucks and that paid pretty well, but you need a CDL to do that. I would try mowing lawns unless you luck onto something better. Small GA airport line crews have better working conditions than the large airports, it's not a bad job.

I waited tables and bartended at night, flew during the day... once in while washed airplanes.... I've been very, very lucky to meet great people at the airport who gave me discounts on flight time for doing odd ball jobs around the hangar (i.e. painting walls, washing planes, etc)... never took out a loan and made it through ok

I would agree with finding a big paying job, spending free time at the airports helping out.... good luck usually smiles upon hard work

I worked at an FBO while I was in school, I did it while I was instructing, I did it while I was furloughed and I still do it a couple days a month to keep their insurance company happy in the event I get furloughed again. In the mean time the money is going in the savings account.

Easy job, great for networking and if you like being outside you're set. Most FBOs that have rental fleets also offer some sort of discount or once you get to know the instructors they might be willing to help out with some free dual.

Join the guard/reserves! The GI Bill and experience will make it all worthwhile.

Work as hard as you can doing what ever to pay as you go. Use as little loans as possible. It can take you as long as 5 years to even begin to pay off your debt. Try telling them you are an airline pilot and you can't make minimum payments....

I am in year two in the regional airlines after two years of instructing. School loans and credit card debt just to get by have me in the poor house - In the ghetto where three people were shot within 100 feet from my door last year alone.
Remember this, you have to love flying more than money or the coolness factor. :cool: