Magic
 

To me success in aviation is one part determination, one part connections and one part luck.

Perhaps timing was generous for getting a slot in the military when it was your turn and then it was your military connections that made the transition to the airlines a profitable one? Timing might have been good for your trip through the military but it seems that currently the military is in the process of reducing its pilot supply. Hopefuls today will struggle or see their dreams go unfulfilled. No amount of effort can open a closed door like that.

de727ups put into words perfectly.

"That there is a significant chance that, no matter what you do, you might not make it to the top of the career. It's like a pyramid, the closer to the top you shoot for, the less likely you'll make it. If you'd be happy in the middle, then the more likely you'll make it. Not everyone who simply "wants it", is gonna get there. There is a certain amount of luck and timing involved that you can't control."

It takes three parts. I only had one and a half.

SkyHigh

What have you done to separate yourself from the crowd? You graduated in the top of your class, never failed a check ride, 90% on your FAA exams.... So you're book smart... so what... what are you like outside the cockpit?

What have you done outside of aviation to make yourself more marketable? Serve on any committees at any of your airlines? Any volunteer work outside of your job?

From everything gathered on here SkyHigh, its all about YOU! Even if you are a Rhodes scholar, everything that you have put on here is poor poor me. Companies want to see that you have something to talk about on the flight deck besides your training record.

Just my thoughts... For all you younger pilots out there, do something besides go to work and fly. Volunteer work looks awesome on your resume...

Outside?
 

Sure I have done much outside of the flight deck. I was a part time ground school instructor at Horizon Air, volunteer firefighter, built a business and family. I have glowing letters of recommendation from almost every place I worked. Besides book smarts I have a broad range of civilian pilot jobs and experiences.

My efforts on this forum are intended to provide a service to others.

SkyHigh

That's what probably did you in. I know for a fact that if your reputation at Horizon will follow you to Alaska. Maybe someone there shot you down.

What about that place in Alaska?

Welcome for the most part. I'm sure

Alaska Air
 

[QUOTE=mike734;77215]That's what probably did you in. I know for a fact that if your reputation at Horizon will follow you to Alaska. Maybe someone there shot you down.

I have glowing letters of recommendation from every manager that I had at Horizon Air including one of the base chief pilots.


What about that place in Alaska?

If anything they might of played a roll, but that was out of my hands and another example of how you can do everything right and still get shot out of the saddle.

My guess is that my interview came right at the end of hiring in January of 2002. They had decided to cancel all future classes and I was odd man out.

SkyHigh

Positive SkyHigh
 

[QUOTE=SkyHigh;77242]What happened to hiring over 400 during the next 4yrs? What happened to the positive SkyHigh? http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/showthread.php?t=1221
This was just about a year ago!

Nothing ?
 

[QUOTE=favila008;77244]400 is not a lot of hiring. It is a lot for Alaska Air, but when you consider that most of the country is looking to the few companies that are hiring it is not that great. Nothing has changed. If Alaska Air calls tomorrow I will be there but I have better odds of being hit by a meteorite.

SkyHigh

considering the rate of hire at swa and so on yes 400 IS alot

Damnation! Now, I am confused!

Your central theme has been one of the inability to reach a meaningful financial position in the airlines in a reasonable period of time...and now you are saying that you would chuck it all to start off as a probationary F/O making $35 an hour?

What gives?

Sir,

Thats a loaded question...We all know it...I had a difficult time giving up on flying to concentragte on family / career and I only have a PPL. Its fun flying by yourself even if its a C-172 going from Langley AFB to Nags Head, NC. I miss it - but I have to put my money into other things right now...

I can only imagine what it must be like for someone who has devoted the better part of their life to aviation.

I'm sure Sky will answer your question adequately.

-LAFF