Some things I've learned in my career...

1) You will be a much healthier person if you don't identify as a pilot. Your job is a pilot and that is where it should end. Not getting hired or getting furloughed does not make you a bad person. It doesn't even mean you are a bad pilot.

2) If you are asked about your hobbies during an interview and you can't answer without talking about airplanes get a new hobby.

3) The times I didn't get hired were beneficial to my career.

4) There are probably hundreds of metrics and statistics that show what makes a good pilot but it really comes down to two things; your ability to fly an airplane and not annoy the guy next to you on a four day trip. Concentrate on the latter during an interview.

5) The internet tells your story. Google yourself to see what your future employer thinks of you. It might be time to delete your Facebook account.

6) Take career risks early in your career. This is likely the only time in your life that you will be able to afford to bust.

7) Don't put yourself in a situation where you can't take risks in your career.

8) It's okay to slam-click sometimes.

9) Don't commute.

10) If you absolutely have to commute - you will at some point - make yourself as comfortable as possible. A nice crashpad, car, golf clubs, bicycle, etc. will make your time away from home much nicer.

11) It's a long career; make decisions for the long term.

 

Keep pluggin along. You'll get somewhere. Oberon offered some good advice.

 

Keep your chin up man! Believe me there are many other gigs and operations better than AE. Conisder it a positive experience! BTW the regionals aren't always the way to go, to many people think its the only way to go...... They just have tunnel vision and are dead wrong! They will be FOs for 9 years! Good luck to you man.

 

Hang in there my friend,

Sounds like you lasted longer than I did! I did the walk of shame within 15 mins of the start and boy did I feel worthless. Can't help to think that making pilots walk to the bus stop in 90+ degree heat in their suit is some sort of mind game.... Imagine what it's like working there!

Still as Oberon said, we learn the most about ourselves during the times we are tested and less than a year later I was in training at a much better airline, and it's not a regional.

Good Luck!

 

So what you're saying is that the govt. wastes my hard earned cash after collecting it every April? I sort of had the suspicion that was going on. Never could confirm it though

 

GREAT Post Oberon!


I didn't get a $very$very$ good job in West Palm Beach that I desperately wanted and pinned all my hopes on. I was very disappointed.

The next year the place was leveled by a hurricane, the girlfriend I may have lost in the move became my wife.... and the guy who got the job quit after a couple years.

In retrospect, getting the rejection was the BEST thing that could have happened to me.

Jobs are just something to (hopefully) pleasantly provide a comfortable life for your family.

Read "Death of a Salesman". Don't be a Willy Loman in an airline suit because you focused on the wrong things. Just my humble opinion.