MJPilot
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2001
- Posts
- 85
I am a CFI in the Tampa Bay area, Florida, 4100 Total, 1100 Multi, ATP.
My goal eventually is a good Charter company flying internationally, Air-Ambulance, Freight, or the Fractionals.
When I had the minimums to apply at Netjets / Execjets (my first choice that time), 9-11 put those dreams to an abrupt hold.
I just thought to stay current and wait for the opportunity to come. There were 3 air-ambulance operators at the field, but all except one went out of business. Even though lots of turboprops and jets fly into our field (KPIE), I am not aware of any one located right here. I have talked to the 3 FBO's on the field without any leads. Airfields in the Tampa Bay area seem not to promise more, except maybe KTPA.
In 2002, I was able to land a 135 job in the Caribbean, but personal and practical issues with that operator made me turn down that job.
Anyway, I see that things are starting to pick up. I applied at many 135 operators, mostly freight and air ambulance, piston, turboprop and jet positions. I got some leads, but still no immediate results. I believe that my relative high time goes against me for some operators that prefer to employ the low timer (airnet, flight express, ...). It also seems to me that operators prefere local people that are in the area already.
I am almost at the point to award a good commission to someone leading me to a King Air position or any t/prop / jet outfit. I also thinking about getting typed typed in a Lear or Citation. What about King Air simulator training? It seems that the better operators still have plenty of applicants to chose someone with a type rating and currency on the particular aircrafts. Ideas of getting myself typed in a 727 or 737 and then hopefully get hired in Asia are crossing my mind. 737-type would be useful for future employment at Southwest, if unable to get a job there.
Students at the flight school are hard to come by lately. Anyway I look at it, I will lose money, either with a loss of income due to no business or fees paying for a specific type.
Do I need just more patience hoping to get picked up at a night cargo operator? Or should I proceed to get myself training in an advanced aircraft? I could just sign up at a PFT company, but that is against my principles.
One more thing is that I am not a US citizen yet. I am able to apply this year, but it will take some time to get it done. I believe this is my dilemma getting turned down for an interview at any place having aircrafts equal/greater than the 12500 lb training limit because of the FBI checks that can take up to 45 days for US-residents.
Am I the only one here? Please , any input will help, thanks.
My goal eventually is a good Charter company flying internationally, Air-Ambulance, Freight, or the Fractionals.
When I had the minimums to apply at Netjets / Execjets (my first choice that time), 9-11 put those dreams to an abrupt hold.
I just thought to stay current and wait for the opportunity to come. There were 3 air-ambulance operators at the field, but all except one went out of business. Even though lots of turboprops and jets fly into our field (KPIE), I am not aware of any one located right here. I have talked to the 3 FBO's on the field without any leads. Airfields in the Tampa Bay area seem not to promise more, except maybe KTPA.
In 2002, I was able to land a 135 job in the Caribbean, but personal and practical issues with that operator made me turn down that job.
Anyway, I see that things are starting to pick up. I applied at many 135 operators, mostly freight and air ambulance, piston, turboprop and jet positions. I got some leads, but still no immediate results. I believe that my relative high time goes against me for some operators that prefer to employ the low timer (airnet, flight express, ...). It also seems to me that operators prefere local people that are in the area already.
I am almost at the point to award a good commission to someone leading me to a King Air position or any t/prop / jet outfit. I also thinking about getting typed typed in a Lear or Citation. What about King Air simulator training? It seems that the better operators still have plenty of applicants to chose someone with a type rating and currency on the particular aircrafts. Ideas of getting myself typed in a 727 or 737 and then hopefully get hired in Asia are crossing my mind. 737-type would be useful for future employment at Southwest, if unable to get a job there.
Students at the flight school are hard to come by lately. Anyway I look at it, I will lose money, either with a loss of income due to no business or fees paying for a specific type.
Do I need just more patience hoping to get picked up at a night cargo operator? Or should I proceed to get myself training in an advanced aircraft? I could just sign up at a PFT company, but that is against my principles.
One more thing is that I am not a US citizen yet. I am able to apply this year, but it will take some time to get it done. I believe this is my dilemma getting turned down for an interview at any place having aircrafts equal/greater than the 12500 lb training limit because of the FBI checks that can take up to 45 days for US-residents.
Am I the only one here? Please , any input will help, thanks.
