Desperate For Help!
07-23-2009, 04:38 PM
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2008
Position: B767
Posts: 1,901
It seems to me they're flying part 135 in the king air. As long as you are given a 135 SIC checkride by an appropriately designated check airman (usually the chief pilot), you're good to go as an SIC. The specifics of this have been outlined many, many, many times on this site. Do a search. It drives me absolutely freaking crazy how many times people get this wrong.
For an entry level flying job, it looks pretty decent if what they write is true.
07-24-2009, 08:55 AM
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: CFI
Posts: 37
It sucks right now! I feel bad for all the guys just coming out of college or flight school with no job opportunities. It is even hard for a non-aviation graduates to get a job these days right out of college. I've been furloughed for 6 months now, I've had a couple of aviation job interviews, but no job offers. It is really competitive right now, and employers can be very picky as to who they want to hire. There are flying jobs out there, but you have to look hard and most likely need to know someone to get in. It will turn around eventually, it is only a matter of time, but nobody knows for sure when it will happen. According to the President of FltOps.com, he said by 2011, every major airline will be hiring pilots of the street. Do I believe that? I don't know.
My advice to you. If you want to stay in aviation, I'd say get a non-flying aviation job, such as a dispatcher, flight control, sales etc. It'll allow you to remain in aviation and stay around planes, but most importantly, it will help you network and possibly get a job in the future.
My advice to you. If you want to stay in aviation, I'd say get a non-flying aviation job, such as a dispatcher, flight control, sales etc. It'll allow you to remain in aviation and stay around planes, but most importantly, it will help you network and possibly get a job in the future.
If you stick to being a CFI and get make it to the next hiring boom your next question is, "Are they going to hire a low-time, no type ratings CFI or an experienced furloughed pilot?"
Then if you get hired, you ask yourself the third question, "Do I want to get paid 20k for a couple of years and have to relocate or should I have taken that descent paying job two years ago?"
Decisions decisions.
07-24-2009, 12:57 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2007
Position: B747 Driver
Posts: 198
I didn't ready everyone's post but I have noticed it has been getting tough out there. I was looking at the local FBO's just to do some part-time flight instruction and they said while my resume looked great they wouldn't know what to do if any more CFI's.
Here is my two cents. Military flying. I can't vouch for the Navy but the Air Force is training pilots at an extreme rate. While there is no choice in what you get to fly unless you join the guard or reserves you to burn dead dinosaurs for free.
With a 4 year degree and up to CFII it would look very appealing for you to get in to OTS and a pilot slot.
Here is my two cents. Military flying. I can't vouch for the Navy but the Air Force is training pilots at an extreme rate. While there is no choice in what you get to fly unless you join the guard or reserves you to burn dead dinosaurs for free.
With a 4 year degree and up to CFII it would look very appealing for you to get in to OTS and a pilot slot.
07-28-2009, 11:13 PM
#14
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 14
Well thanks everyone for your input. Obviously, I still have no idea what the hell im gonna do next....but I will certainly carefully evaluate the industry and my own goals and try to make the best choice for me. Again, thanks everybody (I'm still so damn lost)
08-09-2009, 02:45 PM
#16
Gets Weekend Reserve
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,794
Milonke... I feel your pain. Really, take a good look at this career field and see how many of periods like this you can really take in your career.
I made a great living flying 737's for a career airline before it tanked in the spring of 2008. My old airline was in business almost 62 years when it tanked.
I had to go overseas to find a job that will pay bills and keep a roof and food on the table. Fortunately, I'm still a young guy... but this made me think. What about those guys in their late 40's, early 50's who find themselves in this jam? How much do you really love this job? Are you willing to be broke and put your family at the doorstep of financial doom anytime the economy dips?
If so... then stick with it and be willing to move and be flexible. If you're a young guy, I'd be shooting for the military. Probably the most secure job right now.
Remember also, if you go the airline route, there is a lot of luck involved because it's like a marriage - your seniority ties you to your airline, and you hope that it's still there when you're ready to retire.
It can also be a rewarding career as well. Hard to think like that in today's economic climate, but it really can be. It's all up to you and largely your luck.
Best of luck in your decision.
I made a great living flying 737's for a career airline before it tanked in the spring of 2008. My old airline was in business almost 62 years when it tanked.
I had to go overseas to find a job that will pay bills and keep a roof and food on the table. Fortunately, I'm still a young guy... but this made me think. What about those guys in their late 40's, early 50's who find themselves in this jam? How much do you really love this job? Are you willing to be broke and put your family at the doorstep of financial doom anytime the economy dips?
If so... then stick with it and be willing to move and be flexible. If you're a young guy, I'd be shooting for the military. Probably the most secure job right now.
Remember also, if you go the airline route, there is a lot of luck involved because it's like a marriage - your seniority ties you to your airline, and you hope that it's still there when you're ready to retire.
It can also be a rewarding career as well. Hard to think like that in today's economic climate, but it really can be. It's all up to you and largely your luck.
Best of luck in your decision.
08-10-2009, 02:39 PM
#17
Where's my Mai Tai?
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: fins to the left, fins to the right
Posts: 1,755
Here is my two cents. Military flying. I can't vouch for the Navy but the Air Force is training pilots at an extreme rate. While there is no choice in what you get to fly unless you join the guard or reserves you to burn dead dinosaurs for free.
With a 4 year degree and up to CFII it would look very appealing for you to get in to OTS and a pilot slot.
With a 4 year degree and up to CFII it would look very appealing for you to get in to OTS and a pilot slot.
08-10-2009, 09:51 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: 767A (Ret)
Posts: 6,248
08-11-2009, 06:00 PM
#19
Where's my Mai Tai?
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: fins to the left, fins to the right
Posts: 1,755
Obsolete? Pilots Face a UAV Future
"This year, for the first time in history, the Air Force expects to train more unmanned aerial vehicle pilots -- 240 -- than conventional fighter-bomber pilots -- 214."
"This year, for the first time in history, the Air Force expects to train more unmanned aerial vehicle pilots -- 240 -- than conventional fighter-bomber pilots -- 214."
08-11-2009, 06:38 PM
#20
pants on the ground
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Position: back seat
Posts: 1,359
Obsolete? Pilots Face a UAV Future
"This year, for the first time in history, the Air Force expects to train more unmanned aerial vehicle pilots -- 240 -- than conventional fighter-bomber pilots -- 214."
"This year, for the first time in history, the Air Force expects to train more unmanned aerial vehicle pilots -- 240 -- than conventional fighter-bomber pilots -- 214."
