akaviator

I'm 45 and am looking at leaving Alaska (the state) and pursuing an airline such as Skywest to finish out my 121 career. Any input from those who have chosen a similar route at a regional would be appreciated!

SkyHigh

I left Alaska a few years ago. It is easy to get on with Horizon. Why are you leaving anyway? If you are already 121 shouldn't you stay put?


SkyHigh

akaviator

I've flown in Alaska for quite a few years now, and frankly getting tired of the bush, and I don't see the job I'm in now as what I want to do for the rest of my flying days. Flying an RJ or ERJ seems quite appealing to me, as well as more mild climates (Alaskan sinces '72).

SkyHigh

I have a friend who just got on at Pinnacle and he told me that they are hiring anyone who walks in the door. If I were you I would use my days off to fly down to visit some regional headquarters and walk in and ask for a job. You could also go to a few AIR APPS job fairs. Until then you are just a piece of paper.

SkyHigh

LAfrequentflyer

Is AIR APPS / paying for job fairs worth it? I hear a lot of people say they didn't do it...but, maybe they just got lucky , especially in this day and age...

thanks,

Cajuns Fan..

SkyHigh

An ego is something that is too expensive in this market. You need to do everything in your power to get ahead. It sucks to write out a check to Air Apps for a job fair but what a difference it makes. At the job fair there is a room full of almost every company that is hiring. Each one will give you a few seconds of time to review your resume and to offer a few tips. I would even go if I was a pvt plt who was considering the career. There is no better place to get the kind of information that you need. The information that is given at the lectures is very beneficial. Long after you take your Commercial check ride you will be paying to get your career going. The Air Apps job fair is a cheap investment. I think there is even one in LA this month.

SkyHigh

LAfrequentflyer

Skyhigh,

Thanks...Its too late to attend the 17 Sep 05 fair at LAX but if they have another one I'll certainly try to make it...even with a pvt- what could i ask? should i even bother with a resume? your thoughts? I'm 100% serious about aviation as a career after retirement...The way i see it i go early and get good career advise or i go later and hope i'm not behind the power curve.

thanks,
LA

SkyHigh

I would take a resume and explain yourself. It is always good practice to shove a piece of paper at someone even though you realize that you are below their minimums. I never got a job that I met the minimums for. You just have to be persistant and put yourself out there. The recruiters will appreciate your drive and intent and be quick to offer advise. You could collect information and make choices on data collected directly from your dream company. You could collect names and emails and start contacting them at regular intervals with questions. Over time those contacts will grow into some real allies. It is easier for an HR recruiter to become friendlier with someone who is looking for help and guidence since you are not a threat. Qualified applicants are more aversarial, the get into the "what is wrong with this guy" mode and are looking for reasons not to like you.

SkyHigh

LAfrequentflyer

thanks...i'll put together a resume. do you recommend visiting a few company HQs with resumes in hand and speaking to their HR/pilot recruiters directly about what i need to do to get to their company when i retire?

Av8trxx

When I went to a SKW career fair with a friend back in 2000, he had 9 hours under their minimums for instrument time. They told him 'thanks but no thanks' and handed him his stuff back and told him to try again in 9 hours. They aren't interested in getting paperwork from people who do not meet their mins.