Another bird in the hand thread

[Magneto]

I want to start off this thread by saying I am very grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me. I know that in this industry one should just be very thankful to at least have a flying job being as there are many pilots out on furlough.

That being said I have a situation that I am in which is very difficult for me. I am currently a CFI and interviewed with a 135 cargo carrier a couple of months ago and was given a class date this month. I was ecstatic that I was moving up in the world. At the same time I have always dreamed of flying in the 121 world. So I was thankful for the opportunity but at the same time I longed for the chance to fly for the airlines. I took the job because I didn't have any hope of getting on at an airline for a long time.

I was one week away from starting groundschool and out of the blue I get a call from an old friend who has been at Skywest for over 20 years and is now a DE for the CRJ. He calls me up and asks me if I want an interview with Skywest. Being from the west coast I have always dreamed of flying for Skywest but thought it a lofty goal that would require quite a bit more hours.

I pushed the class date back for the 135 job to give me time for the interview for Skywest since that is where I really want to be. Well the cargo job called back and they have a new class date for me in a couple of weeks. My friend from Skywest says that he won't be able to get my resume to Camielle Ence until the end of the month.

So do I take the class date at the cargo job and drop the interview, or do I drop the job and take the interview? I can't push the groundschool back anymore. Logic says take the job but I can't believe that I have an interview with Skywest with such little hours. What an opportunity.

Sorry this was so long but I thought some of you might have been in this same situation and would be willing to lend me some good advice.

 

[Q200_FO]

Take the job

Take the job, you can always interview somewhere else later. It's better and easier to interview for a job if you already have one. At least you have a job coming to you. I was longing to leave my 135 job a year ago too so I've been in your spot dude and I know what it feels like.

 

[METARzan]

Take the 135 job. Keep in touch with your buddy at and get an interview on a day off after you pass the ground school sometime in the future.

I'm glad to hear that Skywest is hiring but I wouldn't count on getting a class date any time soon. There are still quite a few pilots in the pool and they are being mixed with the UAL and ExecJet guys.

Thats my opinion.

 

[grog_sit_reserv]

Take the job, but don't marry it. Do your best to get to the Skywest interview and don't put your friend off. He wouldn't call you if he didn't think you had a shot at getting on.

Also, you will feel a little indebted to the 135 Op for "giving you a break," but go after the one with the best future.

As a former freight mutt myself I can guarantee you this, freight is a great place to start, but its a horrible place to get stuck.

 

[KFFA]

Take the cargo job. Yes your buddy will not be able to get your resume in till the end of the month, but the interview will be much later. Remember that the holidays are coming so things will slow down a little. The memo that came out a few days ago said a planned 9 new hire classes for '04 here at SkyWest. By the time you get done with groundschool SkyWest will call you up to come in to interview.

 

[OldManPilot]

Take the 135 job; however, be careful about getting locked in by a training agreement.

They never tell you this, but you can usually negotiate the training agreement.

Your friend is being kind in getting you the interview but you will be more likely to land the job once you get more experience. There is alot of competition out there right now, and unless he actually does the hiring you may be shooting yourself in the foot not taking the 135 job now, and ask your friend if he can help you again when your times are more competitive.

Best of luck.

 

[Magneto]

Thanks for all the advice this has been great.

I wanted to add just a couple of things. First, they do have a training agreement. Does anyone know when this type of an agreement is usually signed? I have the feeling that once I go to groundschool it's going to be really difficult to make it to an interview. Is there any way around that?

I wish I could have the best of both worlds. My friend said that the difference between getting hired right now and getting hired in a year could be about 800 pilots. Ouch. That really hurts the upgrade time. Thanks again.

 

[crxpilot]

Dude, you are going to be hating yourself if you dont take the 135 job now. Getting your resume walked in is just one small step to getting a job. Unless you are not needing the experience or money right away, I would take the 135 job. You have your whole life ahead of you, I assume what another 30+ years of good flying left before you turn 60? Take the 135 job, season up a bit, and you will appreciate Skywest that much more when the time comes. There is nothing wrong with flying freight, it gives you something to look back on. Once youre in the airlines, you are pretty much married to it for the rest of your career so consider this 135 job as something you will never get to experience again.

 

[Magneto]

Well it sounds like a resounding yes to take the job. Am I crazy to think that I might be able to fit an interview in once I've passed groundschool?

 

[Jeepman]

TAKE THE FREIGHT JOB!!!! When I interviewed at Skywest in Jan they said I would be hired by March. I wasn't hired until October of 01. Waiting 9 months was tough, but worth it. Morale of the story you don't know when SkyWest will call, especially since weve agreed to offer jobs to XX number of furloughed UAL pilots for all the 70 seat RJ's.

I would guess you'll be there between 6-12 months and the company will get the return on your investment.

If you don't take the job........."RIGHT RUDDER, RIGHT RUDDER, MY AIRPLANE!"

 

[WrightAvia]

As a former freight mutt myself I can guarantee you this, freight is a great place to start, but its a horrible place to get stuck.

You can't START at some freight jobs. And not ALL freight jobs are horrible places to get stuck.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Take the job! Get some experience so when Skywest calls you won't get the question...I see you don't have any 135 or 121 time on your resume. What do you have to offer us? You can get the job but wouldn't it be better to answer questions about your current 135, ME job?

 

[thesource]

I noticed one thing you said. Your buddy said the difference in one year could be 800 numbers. I doubt very much that skywest will hire 800 pilots next year or any other year for that matter.

Also its great to get an interview but you still have to get the job on your own. (unless this guy does the hiring by himself).

Take the job and worry about skywest later. Then if you dont get that job you have some experience to offer any of the other carriers you may apply too.

Also, I had a friend once who told me, "if you get the first job you interview for i'll eat my hat" **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** if he wasn't right. I got the interview with my favorite commuter in my home town none the less. Guess what I didn't get it. Got interview with another company and can't believe my luck. My airline is now 3 times the airline the other one is. And they have pilots on furlough a worse contract, much poorer quality of life and the list goes on.

Your post said it " a bird in the hand"

 

[upndsky]

Hmmm, before you follow everyone's advice here, tell us more about this cargo company. What equipment do they fly? Do they require a training contract? What's upgrade time if there is one? What's their reputation? Will you be flying a schedule or living off a pager flying 10 hour/month?

I fly cargo and I love it, but there are companies out there I wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. Poor maintenance, schedules, management, etc.

Don't get into a situation where you are trapped by a company in case the SkyWest thing does happen. As far as having any allegiances to the company when SkyWest (or someone else) calls, don't sweat that. Most cargo outfits know you're there to build time and experience. In fact, where I work, vacation requests go to the top of the priority list if it's for a job interview. They want us to grow and move on. We've had guys here for less than a week before they bailed. Some left in the middle of training. It's the nature of the beast.

Unless the cargo outfit you're talking about is a sh!thole, go for it, keeping in mind the things I've mentioned you need to consider. Tell us more about this company so we can give you a more educated opinion.

Good luck.

 

[Magneto]

Well, I would like to keep some anonyminity (try spelling that right) here for fear of the cargo company knowing who I am. I will answer your question though to get more help in my situation here.

They fly everything from props to jets. They say the upgrade time is 2 to 3 years to the jet. When I interviewed they asked me if I would at least give them a year but I'm not sure if that is a written contract or a handshake agreement. I can't imagine they would be so easy to let me go after a couple of months.

It is a set schedule, no pager. They have a great reputation as a cargo company, and if I was to fly cargo this would be a great place to be.

I think what I'm going to do is go to the groundschool and hope that I can break away for the interview. Any extra advice would be great though. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Magneto]

bump

 

[LR25]

I know your agonizing over this, but take the job dude!

Do you know how many RJ jobs there will be in the future, alot.

You need a job now, and thats what this place is giving.

You have an entire career ahead of you to make more good or bad decisions.

You cant have everything right when you want it.

I have flown both freight and been at a regional, both have there moments.

As long as the freight company will treat you right, you should gain alot of expereince and have a blast.

Good luck to you.

 

[350DRIVER]

I surely would take the 135 job without any hesitation or even a second thought, no brainer. You may "GET" the interview but you will still have to "GET" that job at that point. I would go 135, interview, then take the job at Skywest if you are offered it.

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