proskuneho

I can't afford to go to Colgan, it would be hard enough to go to Mesaba. Right now, I would be thankful to take Memphis. However, I got the email that said something like "Thanks for applying. We are lucky to have so many qualified applicants. We have applicants that are more qualified than you. We will keep your resume on file for a year."
I guess 915 total time with 165 multi, a bachelors degree, a partially completed MBA, ten years of total management experience, and five years of aviation management experience is not enough to merit an interview.
My current plan is to re-apply (or just update my resume) in about three months when I should have 135 mins. Maybe I should remove the management stuff from my resume?
I would love to work for Mesaba. I think I'll just have to wait a while. Although they are publishing 600 tt as their required minimum, I hear they are hiring mostly guys with 121 experience. The only guys that are getting hired with low time probably know someone.

Do you work for Mesaba?

BoredwLife

When it comes down to it nothing really matters until you are competitive in the flight time category. If you had 2000 turbine and previous 121 experience you might be very competitive with all your other experience added to it.

proskuneho

I like your avatar.

So should I go the 135 route as soon as I have 135 IFR PIC mins? When spring/early summer rolls around, I'll be a 2 year CFI. Add that to managing flight schools for 5 years, and you can imagine that I am eager to get out and fly in the real world for a while.

Any other suggestions?

WMUPilot

I've recently seen Mesaba reject some really good candidates, and then take some **** poor candidates. I know an 1100TT Falcon driver from a 135 Company that got the same rejection as you. I also know a 450TT 7.5Multi Flight instructor that is starting training in the next month. Both guys applied the same way and didn't know any higher ups at Mesaba. I haven't been able to figure them out yet.

There are other places in Puerto Rico that might pick you up for some right seat time. You can try Air Tahoma (not sure how to contact) or Mountain Air Cargo (they've got a website for sure).

The regionals are slowly starting to hire again, but you know there's really no money there, just time. I would start handing your resume out to every part 91 op on your field or even in your area. Corporate just might take the jump to pick you up with your management background and they would pay a lot more.

Good Luck!

proskuneho

Wow, 7.5 multi? I thought maybe my 165 multi wasn't enough! Thanks for the great input.

BoredwLife

Here is my .02 cents. In this day and age you are going to have to find a way to bite the bullet. I know my first year at a regional I was hurting bad. Basically kept my phone off to avoid creditors. Second year I got everything in line but was still broke. Then back to 1st year at a "major" and got furloughed.

If this is what you want to do there is no way around getting that first crappy turbine job that doesn’t pay anything. If you take one of these jobs in The Cab flying caravans or 421's your still going to be in the same situation 2 years from now but you will have 2500TT with either more worthless piston Multi time or worthless single engine turbine time and you will have struggled for 2 years already. It will just make you more competitive for the **** poor regional job. I would say try and find a regional with decent commuting options or no commute at all where you fly some thing larger than 50,000 pounds, has two engines, and burns jet fuel. You can normally make the pay work for a year, the kicker is to find a place with good second year pay. If first year is 21 and second is 24 don’t do it. Example 2nd year pay examples bad: Colgan 26, Lynx 24, Trans States 25, Pinnacle 24. Better option for 2nd year pay GoJet 30, Air Wisconsin 36, Republic 31, Skywest RJ 35, Horizon 39.

I listed the sets in no particular order, with no other factors considered. I waited 6 months until I was able to qualify for one that I could survive on rather than others who would have taken me right then. Even though some of those listed with better pay are not hiring, it maybe be your only option to continue doing what you do now and survive until some of those hire again.

hi208

anyone know more companies that are in the Caribbean? I have about 2000tt and about 110 multi been flying C208s and PC-12s looking to put my commercial multi to use. Thanks in advance.

jdlilfan

Yellow Air Taxi in FLL is looking for part 135 PIC's. Four Star is looking for some slots still I think but the pilot group is striking.

flyr72

Check Belize. they are hurting for pilots. I was offered a job at a cocktail party by the chief pilot for Maya Air. They fly 208s the pay is not good but, the fishing there is outstanding and a good place to hangout for a while.

Aviatormar

Flyr72, know anything more about Maya Air? Heck I have 4 more months on my LOA and I'd love to go down there for fly a Caravan around for awhile.