How did you get to where you are now?

[ALIMBO]

Well today was probably one of the worst nights I've had in a long time. I work for the school newspaper and the damn press broke way to many times to count. To make a long story short I just got in the door after delivering papers for the last 4 hours what fun. Did I mention I make an awesome 7.75 an hour? So what jobs did you have before you got into aviation as a career/job? I like to think there is light at the end of the tunnel and that this will all pay off eventually as of now I do.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

Your post just made me feel really old. :0

 

[hockeypilot44]

Just wait until you get hired at a regional airline. You will pocket about $1200/month your first year. That is your light.

 

[Rockitsynz]

Just wait until you get hired at a regional airline. You will pocket about $1200/month your first year. That is your light.

But he'll get to fly a JET!!!

Convince the school to sell you the clapped-out press. Get a loan. Learn how to repair the contraption. Lease the press back to the school and charge them $80/hr for repairs when it breaks down. Teach another student how to do the repairs and pay him $10/hr. You'll be way ahead in the long run.

 

[ALIMBO]

Christ look at my spelling on the thread title I was so tired when I wrote it. Well now I'm off to my schools aviation career fair so that I can hear all the HR people tell me o were not hiring right now or well pretty soon were going to need like 1000 pilots so put that app in. (only to furlough them in a few months) I'm sure I look great with 4 hours of sleep under my belt.

 

[ALIMBO]

But he'll get to fly a JET!!!

Convince the school to sell you the clapped-out press. Get a loan. Learn how to repair the contraption. Lease the press back to the school and charge them $80/hr for repairs when it breaks down. Teach another student how to do the repairs and pay him $10/hr. You'll be way ahead in the long run.

A jet job at 20 bucks an hour may be a step up from 7.75 but, I sure as hell won't go to whatever airline pays that little. In the end I will be just as tired if not more tired doing that job then I would delivering papers only to recieve a few grand more.

 

[ALIMBO]

Your post just made me feel really old. :0

Come on let us know what you did lol you can't be that old if you are you probably got some good stories for us!

 

[ALIMBO]

But he'll get to fly a JET!!!

Convince the school to sell you the clapped-out press. Get a loan. Learn how to repair the contraption. Lease the press back to the school and charge them $80/hr for repairs when it breaks down. Teach another student how to do the repairs and pay him $10/hr. You'll be way ahead in the long run.

Wait a minute that kinda sounds like how a regional airline works. That's shear geniousness on your part, You my friend should work in management! LOL

 

[Just Cause]

You need to get your hand out of your pants and stop pleasuring yourself to your avatar. I think you are going blind because your grammar and punctuation are horrible. That SIU education isn't really paying off. I worked at Westroads Liquor Store while I was going to school there. At least that was more or less a paid work study for my future in aviation. Hang in there, even I ended up at Delta.

 

[ALIMBO]

You need to get your hand out of your pants and stop pleasuring yourself to your avatar. I think you are going blind because your grammar and punctuation are horrible. That SIU education isn't really paying off. I worked at Westroads Liquor Store while I was going to school there. At least that was more or less a paid work study for my future in aviation. Hang in there, even I ended up at Delta.

Your right SIU sucks can you believe I got B's in Eng 101 and 102! Im tired as ******************** last thing I care about is grammer and punctuation. I take it you went to SIU when it "was" a good school?

 

[Salukipilot4590]

I got my PPL from a flight school in Long Beach then went to SIU for everything else. Flight instructed there for two years, only racking up 200 hours that way. I got paid 7.25 while I was CFI-ing so don't talk crap about your job man....and I had to deal with you! I was on the Flight Team for three and a half years so that's where the rest of the time came from. Graduated in December then went to a regional where money got better but not enough to truly live like a pimp on (I do not condone living like a pimp or the mistreatment of women or bears). Now I'm unemployed like thousands of other pilots.

Pro Tip: ALIMBO:

1) Graduate from SIU
2) Flight Instruct for a while
3) Interview with airlines that will benefit your QOL...not "that have awesome jets or """short upgrade"""
4) ???
5) Profit!

 

[WAZUP]

You need to get your hand out of your pants and stop pleasuring yourself to your avatar. I think you are going blind because your grammar and punctuation are horrible. That SIU education isn't really paying off. I worked at Westroads Liquor Store while I was going to school there. At least that was more or less a paid work study for my future in aviation. Hang in there, even I ended up at Delta.

Thats an awesome job! I would have been my best customer though.

 

[Flip]

With the coming economic meltdown, we haven't even begun to see the furloughs yet. Get out while you can

 

[makersmarc]

Christ look at my spelling on the thread title I was so tired when I wrote it.

That is pretty much on par for about half the post titles here.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Let's see...

Paid for my private working in a warehouse as a shipping clerk (Compass Distribution was the name of the company in an ironic twist of fate). $8/hr.

Bought my multi-engine rating throwing bags during my summers at PIE for the now defunct Southeast Airlines. 7.25/hr.

Campus security dispatcher, it was min wage/work study. I think min wage was like $5.25/hr.

Delivery courier, $8/hr.

Flight instructor for 3.5 years, started at $8/hr, ended with a salary of $36k.

Took an 8 month break as a college admission counselor, $30k/yr.

Training scheduler for a simulator training facility, $28k/yr.

Freight doggin' and pax. charter, $49k/yr.

P/T at Home Depot. $11/hr.

P/T pt. 91 Baron flying. $300/day.

Right seat filler on king airs for a 135 operator $200/day.

Fire/Air Attack pilot. $400/day.

My word of advice, don't hurry off to the airlines. I would have missed out on a lot of great fun, and incredible stories had I run straight from college to the regionals. Airline flying is about as sedate (read boring) as it gets... and you really don't need to be doing that from the time you're 23 till you're 65.

 

[ALIMBO]

Well just got back from the career fair boy was that fun. What I'm about to say contradicts my old way of thinking but I assure you these are my new viewpoints. The only airlines there that were hiring were Great Lakes and Gojet. Go figure both places I would never think twice about going to. Like I said I used to think I would work there until I realized how bad that would be. GoJet was really trying to sell me the Koolaid until I started asking questions. For instance what are the hiring mins? HR guys response Well.... 500TT 50Multi. My response How strict are you on the 50 multi? (HR) Very strict. (Me) So if I had like 45 would you consider me? (HR) Nope sorry man 50 bare minimum. (Me) So your saying you will throw someone with 500 hours though right into a jet as long as they have 50 multi min. (HR) Looks at his partner turns to me ya pretty much do you want an info packet? (Me) No thanks have a good day though. Me an my friend turn an walk away and tell him hey Chip at least we have a place to practice interviews at. Then comes GLA with a typical young F/O minus spikey hair/ipod, but the back pack is present. He was talking to some younger guys still in the commercial time building course about how awesome the place was to work for. The inexperienced kids mind you are eating it up thinking about how awesome it would be to work there until I ask the question; How much is 1st yr F/O pay? He replies 16.00 an hour. Then these 2 guys are like damn that much to fly a 1900 thats pretty sweet. I was like omg do they realize you don't work the typical 40 hours a week. this is 16 bucks an hr times monthly garuntee of somewhere between 80-100. O well what are you going to do. I know I'm still a noob to this industry but at least I think I have some sort of one up others my age. It's that mentality that drives this industry lower.

 

[ALIMBO]

Flight instructed there for two years, only racking up 200 hours that way. I got paid 7.25 while I was CFI-ing so don't talk crap about your job man....and I had to deal with you!

Nobody could pay you enough to deal with me as a student.

 

[Salukipilot4590]

Nobody could pay you enough to deal with me as a student.

Quoted for truth!

 

[Metro752]

Well just got back from the career fair boy was that fun. What I'm about to say contradicts my old way of thinking but I assure you these are my new viewpoints. The only airlines there that were hiring were Great Lakes and Gojet. Go figure both places I would never think twice about going to. Like I said I used to think I would work there until I realized how bad that would be. GoJet was really trying to sell me the Koolaid until I started asking questions. For instance what are the hiring mins? HR guys response Well.... 500TT 50Multi. My response How strict are you on the 50 multi? (HR) Very strict. (Me) So if I had like 45 would you consider me? (HR) Nope sorry man 50 bare minimum. (Me) So your saying you will throw someone with 500 hours though right into a jet as long as they have 50 multi min. (HR) Looks at his partner turns to me ya pretty much do you want an info packet? (Me) No thanks have a good day though. Me an my friend turn an walk away and tell him hey Chip at least we have a place to practice interviews at. Then comes GLA with a typical young F/O minus spikey hair/ipod, but the back pack is present. He was talking to some younger guys still in the commercial time building course about how awesome the place was to work for. The inexperienced kids mind you are eating it up thinking about how awesome it would be to work there until I ask the question; How much is 1st yr F/O pay? He replies 16.00 an hour. Then these 2 guys are like damn that much to fly a 1900 thats pretty sweet. I was like omg do they realize you don't work the typical 40 hours a week. this is 16 bucks an hr times monthly garuntee of somewhere between 80-100. O well what are you going to do. I know I'm still a noob to this industry but at least I think I have some sort of one up others my age. It's that mentality that drives this industry lower.

Too bad more folks aren't doing their homework like you and figuring out how to really get started, vs selling their souls.

 

[Goose Egg]

Alimbo,

Hang in there man, and good on ya for doing your research. Flying may not be the career to have anymore, but as far as I'm concerned, it's just as good as anything else, with the added benefit of actually liking and being interested in what I do. In other words, it's still a good career to have. I'd do a couple small things differently if I could (hey, you learn as you go), but overall, I'm pretty pleased with how things have turned out so far.

Regarding whomever you are quoting in your signature line: We semi-routinely land in 30kts, 90 degrees off the runway centerline. It doesn't even raise my heart rate any more--it just is what it is, and you just deal with it. And as far as I am concerned 5000 RVR might as well be clear and a million. And maybe the $4 he got paid for his work helps to offset all the rest of the time he sat on his rear end staring at the autopilot or reading USAToday. I would call pilots a "whiney bunch," but I have my suspicions that there are other career fields that have a proportionate number of whiners.

Besides that, I wouldn't want to perpetuate the "pilots have it so hard" stereotype because we have to deal with so many whiners. Other people have to deal with whiners too.

-Goose

 

[ALIMBO]

I just got a job offer flying 1900's for 16 bucks an hour you don't even want to know what I said to this fellow. He's a good guy just trying to help me out i said thanks for the help, but I will be ok on my own.

 

[ALIMBO]

Alimbo,

Hang in there man, and good on ya for doing your research. Flying may not be the career to have anymore, but as far as I'm concerned, it's just as good as anything else, with the added benefit of actually liking and being interested in what I do. In other words, it's still a good career to have. I'd do a couple small things differently if I could (hey, you learn as you go), but overall, I'm pretty pleased with how things have turned out so far.

Regarding whomever you are quoting in your signature line: We semi-routinely land in 30kts, 90 degrees off the runway centerline. It doesn't even raise my heart rate any more--it just is what it is, and you just deal with it. And as far as I am concerned 5000 RVR might as well be clear and a million. And maybe the $4 he got paid for his work helps to offset all the rest of the time he sat on his rear end staring at the autopilot or reading USAToday. I would call pilots a "whiney bunch," but I have my suspicions that there are other career fields that have a proportionate number of whiners.

Besides that, I wouldn't want to perpetuate the "pilots have it so hard" stereotype because we have to deal with so many whiners. Other people have to deal with whiners too.

-Goose

Ya I quoted it it because to do work like this which may be easy to most people would make other sweat bullets. An to think most get paid starvation wages is BS. But as long as we have people who think 16-20 bucks an hours is awesome money it will continue to happen.

 

[DOVPILOT]

I like to think there is light at the end of the tunnel and ........

The tunnel had a major collapse all everyone inside the tunnel are dead.....more news to come!!!!

 

[Can8dn]

Well just got back from the career fair boy was that fun. What I'm about to say contradicts my old way of thinking but I assure you these are my new viewpoints. The only airlines there that were hiring were Great Lakes and Gojet. Go figure both places I would never think twice about going to. Like I said I used to think I would work there until I realized how bad that would be. GoJet was really trying to sell me the Koolaid until I started asking questions. For instance what are the hiring mins? HR guys response Well.... 500TT 50Multi. My response How strict are you on the 50 multi? (HR) Very strict. (Me) So if I had like 45 would you consider me? (HR) Nope sorry man 50 bare minimum. (Me) So your saying you will throw someone with 500 hours though right into a jet as long as they have 50 multi min. (HR) Looks at his partner turns to me ya pretty much do you want an info packet? (Me) No thanks have a good day though. Me an my friend turn an walk away and tell him hey Chip at least we have a place to practice interviews at. Then comes GLA with a typical young F/O minus spikey hair/ipod, but the back pack is present. He was talking to some younger guys still in the commercial time building course about how awesome the place was to work for. The inexperienced kids mind you are eating it up thinking about how awesome it would be to work there until I ask the question; How much is 1st yr F/O pay? He replies 16.00 an hour. Then these 2 guys are like damn that much to fly a 1900 thats pretty sweet. I was like omg do they realize you don't work the typical 40 hours a week. this is 16 bucks an hr times monthly garuntee of somewhere between 80-100. O well what are you going to do. I know I'm still a noob to this industry but at least I think I have some sort of one up others my age. It's that mentality that drives this industry lower.

You talk talk talk like you know everything there is to know about all the airlines when all you really do is come up with some line of BS that you make up in your head and post on this to sound smart.... First off you have said on several other posts that you dont have your commercial multi... Correct? So how did you get offered a job flying 1900's last time I checked the 1900's I fly at lakes have two(2) engines on them... Next our monthly garuntee at Lakes is 75 HR a month not 80-100 ... Next your probably younger and less professional looking that the pilot rep who was there from Lakes. Three weeks ago you posted all over the Great Lakes pilot forum that you had made your decision and you were for sure trying to come to Lakes. Then you opened your mouth and brought out the ego and we got mad... Now that you were kicked off that page your here talking smack again. The only difference is non of these guys on here have had any experience with the kind of crap you produce.... Dude just for once be true to yourself and stop with the smack talking and know it all attitudes because to those who do have the correct information we do not appreciate it. Every one in this industry takes a different road to get there no one road is better or worse than the next. If your truly happy with what your doing, you've succeeded. Just please stop with all your negative attitudes and comments about just about every regional, or do us all a favor and choose a different profession....

 

[sopdan]

Besides the instructing gig....

Pizza delivery guy and security guard.

 

[TrevorW]

ALIMBO- GoJet didn't have an HR guy at the career fair, TSA did to hire mechanics, GoJet sent their chief pilot. They are really strict about their minimums right now because of all of the former ATA, Champion, and furloughed United, American, Midwest pilots etc. that are applying for the same job you will be when you have your commercial multi and meet the applicable minimums. Some of the 100 pilots they hire in the next year will be lower experienced people that will sit in the right seat for awhile but it will be more competitive than it was in the recent past. A strong sense of entitlement and a know-it-all attitude will not help. I wish you the best of luck.
As for how I got where I am today, I spent a lot of time pushing a mower from the time I was 10 till I graduated High School. That and other hourly jobs afforded me my private pilot's license. I too was in the SIU aviation flight program for 201b, 203, and 206. After my instrument rating I focused on getting a degree outside of aviation. I finished my commercial certificates part 61 during summer breaks and built time from there. I was lucky enough to get hired last fall when everyone was hiring. I was also VERY fortunate to choose the right airline for me and my quality of life. The best unsolicited advice I can offer is: when you go to one of these career fairs, check your attitude at the door, come informed, bring a personalized resume for everyone whom you wish to apply, take your time speaking with every company's representatives, and thank them for their time afterwards. I know its a frustrating time for people looking for work, but you aren't going to do yourself or the crews you fly with any favors if you are bitter before you even start your flying career.

 

[Hobit]

First:
http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/index.htm

After initial contract:
1800GoGuard.com and never worry about furlough.

I just ran some numbers, a first year WO1 with flight pay gets ~50K in flight school.

 

[ALIMBO]

You talk talk talk like you know everything there is to know about all the airlines when all you really do is come up with some line of BS that you make up in your head and post on this to sound smart.... First off you have said on several other posts that you dont have your commercial multi... Correct? So how did you get offered a job flying 1900's last time I checked the 1900's I fly at lakes have two(2) engines on them... Next our monthly garuntee at Lakes is 75 HR a month not 80-100 ... Next your probably younger and less professional looking that the pilot rep who was there from Lakes. Three weeks ago you posted all over the Great Lakes pilot forum that you had made your decision and you were for sure trying to come to Lakes. Then you opened your mouth and brought out the ego and we got mad... Now that you were kicked off that page your here talking smack again. The only difference is non of these guys on here have had any experience with the kind of crap you produce.... Dude just for once be true to yourself and stop with the smack talking and know it all attitudes because to those who do have the correct information we do not appreciate it. Every one in this industry takes a different road to get there no one road is better or worse than the next. If your truly happy with what your doing, you've succeeded. Just please stop with all your negative attitudes and comments about just about every regional, or do us all a favor and choose a different profession....

Go figure I was still offered a job even tho I wont have my comm multi for another few weeks. Must be pretty bad over at GLA? Ya I ran my mouth because your pilot group minus a few are some of the most immature people I have ever ran across. Like I said it may be only a few rotten eggs that spoil the bunch, but the ones I talked with were ****************************************. 2. After talking with my cousin and a retired united 74 captain I realized how dumb it would be to not finish college just to go to a regional. Let alone a regional that starts you at $16 bucks an hour. Lastly, I think the only other regional I may have smack talked would be GJ for obvious reasons. So unless I direct smack talk towards you, you can stay out of this one bud.

 

[ALIMBO]

ALIMBO- GoJet didn't have an HR guy at the career fair, TSA did to hire mechanics, GoJet sent their chief pilot. They are really strict about their minimums right now because of all of the former ATA, Champion, and furloughed United, American, Midwest pilots etc. that are applying for the same job you will be when you have your commercial multi and meet the applicable minimums. Some of the 100 pilots they hire in the next year will be lower experienced people that will sit in the right seat for awhile but it will be more competitive than it was in the recent past. A strong sense of entitlement and a know-it-all attitude will not help. I wish you the best of luck.
As for how I got where I am today, I spent a lot of time pushing a mower from the time I was 10 till I graduated High School. That and other hourly jobs afforded me my private pilot's license. I too was in the SIU aviation flight program for 201b, 203, and 206. After my instrument rating I focused on getting a degree outside of aviation. I finished my commercial certificates part 61 during summer breaks and built time from there. I was lucky enough to get hired last fall when everyone was hiring. I was also VERY fortunate to choose the right airline for me and my quality of life. The best unsolicited advice I can offer is: when you go to one of these career fairs, check your attitude at the door, come informed, bring a personalized resume for everyone whom you wish to apply, take your time speaking with every company's representatives, and thank them for their time afterwards. I know its a frustrating time for people looking for work, but you aren't going to do yourself or the crews you fly with any favors if you are bitter before you even start your flying career.

Good to hear you went pt. 61 to finish up, probably saved a buck or two also. If you don't mind me asking what airline are you at now?

 

[ALIMBO]

First:
http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/index.htm

After initial contract:
1800GoGuard.com and never worry about furlough.

I just ran some numbers, a first year WO1 with flight pay gets ~50K in flight school.

Thanks my plan is to go into ANG once I graduate.