Advice, please
 

Hi, all. I'd like some advice from people in the know. I've been trying to make a full-time piloting career happen via pt. 135 and/or a corporate gig, but am having trouble making this happen. I keep running into the catch-22 of 'needing more turbine time before I can get turbine time'.

I've got the ATP, about 3400 TT, 1100 ME. I'm in the Milwaukee area. What are my best prospects? Moving/commuting is an option, but I'd prefer to stay near here for now if possible.

Thanks for any help you can give!

A variety of 135 freight operators should be willing to hire you, and many of them have turbine aircraft that you can get into after you have some seniority.

Almost any regionals would hire you, and obviously you would fly turbine aircrfat immediately.

With your time I would think you could network your way into some kind of right-seat citation gig or something along those lines also.

Oh yeah,
 

Oh, and I should add I'm an old guy too (almost 40).

Thanks!

Almost 40 is not old. I am 36 and just made my career change. Never too old! Besides, a 30 something's has much more experience and maturity to offer than a 23 yearold. We know accidents can and will happen and also realize we are mortal. I have met to many youngling's that just have no clue even thought they have 1500TT. Just my opinion.

suggestions, please
 

So, can anyone suggest a suitable airline for someone with my experience? Skyway is the local one, but the proposed Midwest takeover has me a little worried. Air Wisconsin is on the east coast now. Are there any to which I could commute? Again, I would move for a good opportunity.

I really don't know a lot about airlines, my interest has always been elsewhere up until now. Thanks much.

maturity is not having to plead your case with how much more mature than a 23 year old you are

ppilot,

What is you Multi Time, Your TT withing the past 60 days and 6 months?
Are you looking for a long term career at the airlines? What is your current primary employment?

I will give you some idea about furthering your aviation career but need some more info, so shoot thos answers back and lets see what we can come up with.

Good Luck

I would recommend SkyWest; you could get MKE during training seeing that is one of our most Jr. pilot bases. I’d choose SKW over Skyway; our pay, QOL and work policies are excellent. Looking into it and send a resume to Camielle Ence, she’ll take care of you.

I wouldn't bet on Skywest having a MKE base after the Air Tran merger. Though the people there certainly are happy with the company overall. I wouldn't go to Skyway; things are a bit rough there right now and the future is murky at best. However, they will hire you and the Beech uprade would be immediate. Mesaba is hiring and with your times you would probably get a CRJ200 or CRJ900 slot. Upgrades are 6mo-18mo at Mesaba. It is an easy commute out of MKE. If you want to stay in MKE try Air Cargo Carriers or Sterling Aviation.

Plead? As if I am pleading.......please. I've experienced much more than the average 23 yearold has, not all but most. Thats all I was saying here. No need to explain to you if your 23, youll learn in time.

If you can't find an operator in MKE then a commute to ORD should be easy. SKYW and American Eagle both have bases there.

A little arrogant aren't we?

brilliant post :)

Thank you
 

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

APM145, I have about 1100 MEL time. I've had 265 hours in the last 6 months, and 97 hours in the last 60 days. My primary occupation is outside of aviation, but I'm flight instructing and flying pt. 135 part-time right now. I'm totally open to the idea of a long-term career with an airline. I've got to figure I probably can't get into a major at my age I'm guessing?

JetJock16, thanks for the contact info at Skywest.

Radar, what would the commute for Mesaba be like? I don't completely understand how commuting works if you live away from your base.

Again, thanks for all the help.

Contracts good through 2012 and it has a clause that covers SKW incase of the any future mergers with Midwest. Yes contracts can be broken but I don't think AirTran would want to pay the penalties. They’ll probably use SKW through 2012 which buys them some time to reposition themselves for whatever venture they're perusing.

Oh boy, looks like I hurt some feelings. Grow up. Typical. Truth hurts.

Its the two thumb suckers that bolted from Colgan ( you know who you are) unable to honor a contract, very upstanding and mature. Must have mommy's and daddy's to get you out of trouble for you often. Thats very mature of you. You know nothing.

:p actually it was my lawyer sister :p

Let's play nice now, children.... :rolleyes:

Anyway-

to the original poster... have you considered AirNet? With your times, you might get into the jet there..

Pretty sure it's based on seniority there and the wait is running about 18 months.

ppilot - I briefly read through the posts but couldn't figure out what you were looking for. Freight Runners is in MKE, they would put you in a twin most likely a turbine BE-99 with your times. Also look up Air Cargo Carriers, they have a hanger on the field and do interviews at their headquarters near Final Approach, across the street from their hanger. Although with ACC you wouldn't be based in MKE.

If you want 121 I would echo the other posters - Skywest and Eagle would be an easy commute to Chicago.

Especially when it's as poorly written as that was!

Guys, what gives? If there’s no loyalty by our airlines/Mgmnt to us (contracts get cut, furloughs, etc) then why the loyalty toward them? I understand that we accepted a position and with that position comes the responsibility to assist our airline, within reason, in obtaining their future goals; BUT, why the loyalty when the loyalty isn't returned? I say bail if you’re not happy and seek those greener pastures, but don't stop searching until you find what you’re looking for.

fukc.. i knew that your sister just wouldn't be able to keep her mouth shut... ever since that morning she rolled over and saw me sucking my thumb, she just hasn't shut up about it
.... ah well, I got mine :p

If you want to do the 121 thing, Mesaba is a great place to hang your hat for a while. Commuting to MSP or DTW from MKE is pretty easy. We are in a major growth mode here, so short reserve, quick upgrade and really good work rules.

Otherwise RUN over to Freight Runners on the east side of the field (MKE) and fly a Beech 99 for 6 months. Preister in Palwaukee is a good outfit to transition to after that. Sterling is a good option too, but you might need more experience to get on there. Airnet also has a MKE and MDW base.

Speeking of maturity I don't know very many 36 year olds that resort to name calling. Oh wait I just met one, get over yourself take your 36 years of "experiences" and shove it. Just because you are older does not make you a better pilot. You can just keep telling yourself it does to compensate for your lack of expericence.

Age = Wisdom
 

All your years didn't save you from throwing your life away as a pilot. ;) Just think right now someplace in America there is an 18 year old that is choosing an accounting major over blowing a fortune on this dead end career. I can understand an emotional youngster making a rash decision like that but it is shocking to think of an adult doing as much.

I just pray that you and that other old guy don't have a family to feed.

Skyhigh

Where have you been recently? We "missed" you.

Been?
 

Oh I might be getting a little burned out. Thank you for the greeting.:)

SkyHigh

You know SKY I had a buddy that was doiing oooohhhhhhhhhhh so well in Real Estate, guess what??????? hes been out of work for 3 months.................. Get over it, most of us arent giving up................Industry is statring to come back, but your long gone..............never to return............now thats sad.........

Still
 

Real Estate is no sure thing. It is however massivaly better than any flying career.

No matter what it is foolish for someone in their 30's to start an aviation career with a family in tow.

Besides, have you read much of the news lately? Seems like this suppoised recovery is beginning to tip and this time the fall will take a few big companies with it. Everyone here will have to get in line at Skybus behind a few thousand UAL and DAL guys.

SkyHigh

:( god that would blow

You sound like one of those "young pups" who is all fired up and thinks he can do it as well or better than the old crusty sitting to his left. Seen your type before, you have alot of growing up to do, I've been there myself, and I look back now thanking my lucky stars I had "experience" in the left seat when i was a snotnose age punk like yourself. you'll see in about what I mean in about 10 yrs or so, just remember I told you so.

Well if you go back and read this posts of the guy I was talking to you will see that I was refering to the fact that he thinks becuase he is 36 makes him a better pilot canidate then someone with more time but is younger. I am not one of those "young pups" that thinks I can do a better job than the captain, because I know I can't, and the PIC type rating also says I can't. Likewise that "old crusty" who may end up in the right seat with a "young pup" to the left needs to learn how to show some respect to a more experienced professional. I was simply telling this guy that in aviation a 23 year old who has been flying since he was 16 probably knows alot more and experienced alot more in AVIATION than a 36 year old who just made the career change.
By the way I know how to blow my nose and theres not any snot up there, mainly because my dad a Marine cleaned it out a long time ago. :)

I think this thread proves that just because you're 23 doesn't mean that your mature. It also shows that just because you're 36 it doesn't mean that you any more mature...

Age does mean something, but in an industry where airline pilots are being hired at ages less than 20, it doesn't necessarily mean that older means more experience.

Personally, I am still what many people would consider young at 29... That said I think you'd be hardpressed to find somebody that knows me to call me inexperienced... Simply put, you can't judge a person by his/her age, looks, personality.

Everybody can have (or lack) age, maturity, experience, and all it often takes is a few posts to determine.

speaking of age I was eating at the A&W in CLT with my CA when some lady told me she wouldnt come on the plane with me becuase I "looked to young" she almost died when I told her there guys in my class that were 6 years younger than I :eek:

I left an elderly couple at a gate once in CLE when they refused to get onboard the aircraft. (I was 23 1/2 and a 2nd year FO, the CA was 23 and a fourth year employee but still green, and the FA was 19).

Funny thing is that between the two of us we had over 7 years of airline flying (5500 hrs plus in type) and over 20 years of flying (CA had been flying since age 7.)

It's going to be interesting to see the way people react when I hit the line. I just turned 21 two months ago. I can bet there are plenty more out there like me.

you lucky sunnofavabitch, congrats.........timing is everything :)

Had a buddy that had to wait to upgrade because he was 22 started upgrade a few days before his 23rd birthday and finished a few months later to be the youngest captain at his place of employment.

Saabarooski, you minnie based?