What the hell am i doing here?
11-26-2008, 06:52 PM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
What the hell am i doing here?
So to start off i have to say i love my job. I love the fact that i get to fly and get paid to do it. My wife still hates me for being at ATP, but oh well...i had to get here somehow!
I have this job now with a part 61 outfit. They are working on 141 with hte first inspection out of the way. Needless to say the plane was grounded for a month to get the laundry list fixed. The "company" also flies a King Air 100 for a local owner who wants it on a 135 certificate, also on approach with inspections.
My problem is this...I am a low time pilot. I am freakin out about how to build time. I hear that guys that joined AE just a couple of years ago are loving it. I have ATP grads and Instructor who are woking for AE, Mesaba, etc who love it. I hear that an instructor back in carolina has around 1400 hours and is having a hard time getting a job. I respect my boss, former freight dawg and NJ guy, now a test pilot. He says to stick with them a couple years...instruct...gain time and experience and then launch into the industry.
But i tell you what...regionals are loookin pretty sexy right about now. I would make about the same as i do now with the way the economy is going. So i am wondering...WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?
I know, you can't tell me what will float or sink my boat. But it seems to me that seniority is everything, and connections, and friends, and....
I don't want to go airlines. I am 34, no degree (just part of one), married with kids. I just don't know how to approach the 135 pax, freight, or other world. Stay here and instruct, hope the KA gets busy and they get another AC...
So, any advice would be helpful. BTW, i did go to ATP Flight School, i'm at 360 hours and haven't flown a multi since i got here. Can't find a school with a twin to do free lance and current employer can't afford to get me insurance check out in the twin they have. Sure, as soon as business picks up i get checked out...but I am about to have more single than multi time and i paid a crapload to get that!
So, hit the regionals and see what happens.
OR
Stick to my guns and keep killin bugs in OK?
What would you do?
Got any connections to Tulsa i could bribe away/ sell myself for??
I have this job now with a part 61 outfit. They are working on 141 with hte first inspection out of the way. Needless to say the plane was grounded for a month to get the laundry list fixed. The "company" also flies a King Air 100 for a local owner who wants it on a 135 certificate, also on approach with inspections.
My problem is this...I am a low time pilot. I am freakin out about how to build time. I hear that guys that joined AE just a couple of years ago are loving it. I have ATP grads and Instructor who are woking for AE, Mesaba, etc who love it. I hear that an instructor back in carolina has around 1400 hours and is having a hard time getting a job. I respect my boss, former freight dawg and NJ guy, now a test pilot. He says to stick with them a couple years...instruct...gain time and experience and then launch into the industry.
But i tell you what...regionals are loookin pretty sexy right about now. I would make about the same as i do now with the way the economy is going. So i am wondering...WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE?
I know, you can't tell me what will float or sink my boat. But it seems to me that seniority is everything, and connections, and friends, and....
I don't want to go airlines. I am 34, no degree (just part of one), married with kids. I just don't know how to approach the 135 pax, freight, or other world. Stay here and instruct, hope the KA gets busy and they get another AC...
So, any advice would be helpful. BTW, i did go to ATP Flight School, i'm at 360 hours and haven't flown a multi since i got here. Can't find a school with a twin to do free lance and current employer can't afford to get me insurance check out in the twin they have. Sure, as soon as business picks up i get checked out...but I am about to have more single than multi time and i paid a crapload to get that!
So, hit the regionals and see what happens.
OR
Stick to my guns and keep killin bugs in OK?
What would you do?
Got any connections to Tulsa i could bribe away/ sell myself for??
Last edited by Maddog1974; 11-26-2008 at 07:10 PM.
11-26-2008, 07:07 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Position: In charge of the remote
Posts: 207
Umm there are only a couple of regionals hiring right now and their minimums are a lot higher than your times. Unfortunately, I think you're gonna have to sit tight for a while until the industry starts to pick up again.
11-26-2008, 07:43 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: ATR
Posts: 347
Remember that right now there are thousands of furloughed pilots that you will be competing with. If you do get an interview, make sure you make us proud by knowing your stuff. If you aren't flying much that means all the more time to study.
11-26-2008, 08:08 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2007
Position: 88B - Loud Pipes Save Lives
Posts: 1,597
It depends on what your career goals are. If you want a major airline job you must get a 4 year degree. You will not get hired without it. If its just a regional job, get some good experience instructing, maybe 135 freight for a few months a then you will do just fine at the regionals. The problem with the regionals the past few years is that many guys getting hired had little real experience and were a complete drain on the Captains who might have well have been check airmen. The Captains will much appreciate a better seasoned guy along side them to one logging their first hour of actual.
11-27-2008, 07:03 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Student Pilot
Posts: 2,277
Just like DAL4EVER said...It all depends on your career goals. You can't make it to the Majors w/o the 4 yr degree. You could possibly be looking at a 30 year career at the regional level if your situation didn't change. It's your call.
I've decided to pursue air charter/corporate/135 (hopefully King Air 200 or 350) after instructing for a while. From that point, I will start the trek towards FedEx, UPS and a Netjets type company. I'm involved with organizations that support aviation and I've started networking with guys on this forum and at Jetcareers.com. I'm certain as you know in this industry it's who you know as well that helps.
I hope my situation offered some insight into your decision.
All the best.
Blue Skies.
atp
I've decided to pursue air charter/corporate/135 (hopefully King Air 200 or 350) after instructing for a while. From that point, I will start the trek towards FedEx, UPS and a Netjets type company. I'm involved with organizations that support aviation and I've started networking with guys on this forum and at Jetcareers.com. I'm certain as you know in this industry it's who you know as well that helps.
I hope my situation offered some insight into your decision.
All the best.
Blue Skies.
atp
