Running out of options (my first bout with the aviation blues)

[mdt301]

Check out GTA Air. They are always looking for VFR PART 135 pilots. They have a lot of flights they start out of KHOU. With your time you should be able to get hired. Its single pilot cargo at night, just FYI. If you can hold your own they will quickly put you into the twins.
www.gtaair.com

 

[bizjet800]

Wow. Sounds like basically you were a flying MacGuyver. Yeah, I know something will turn up... thanks.

Yep, all he needs now is some battery acid, lemon juice and two rubber bands and his career is back on track!!!

All kidding aside, there aren't many options with 600 hours. If you want to stay in the area, go to all your local airports and meet all the people you can. If you aren't qualifed now, just getting your name out there can be a big help in the future. Good luck, I got laid off recently too!

 

[kingairyahoo]

Check out GTA Air. They are always looking for VFR PART 135 pilots. They have a lot of flights they start out of KHOU. With your time you should be able to get hired. Its single pilot cargo at night, just FYI. If you can hold your own they will quickly put you into the twins.
www.gtaair.com

...50% true. they dont like more than one or two VFR guys, and they dont pay a DIME until you have IFR mins

...600 hours will grant you NOTHING at GTA unless you know someone, as they get a ton of resumes at that level.

...not to discredit the option

PS i have some pipeline contact info at home for the Khou area, ill look it up for ya tomorrow!

 

[WestHouston]

Thanks guys. I'd had a few drinks and was really down when I posted this. I appreciate all your suggestions. I'm doing a ride-along with a pipeline company tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have something for me. Thanks again.

 

[CFIcare]

Thanks guys. I'd had a few drinks and was really down when I posted this. I appreciate all your suggestions. I'm doing a ride-along with a pipeline company tomorrow. Hopefully they'll have something for me. Thanks again.

Awesome news. Hope it goes well for you. I forgot to add that in between doing all of these odd jobs, I also kept a stack of resumes and very sharp interview-style suit pressed and hanging in the car. When I was in the vicinity of any local airport with charter/corporate departments, I would make rounds, say hello, update a resume and generally get myself in front of people to the point where they recognized me.

I did score a LR25 SIC gig and a one-day 8 hour Hawker FO trip that way. Also mentioning what you are looking for to anyone who will listen helps. One of my students actually hooked me up with the Hawker trip. His brother's friend owned a Hawker and somehow he heard that the FO was on an extended leave and they were desperate for someone on short notice to do a trip the next day.

Don't give up, and remember that "no" really only means "not right now."

 

[mdt301]

I have a contact looking for a LR-35 SIC. PM me if interested. Can't get you the job, but maybe an interview.

 

[mdt301]

...50% true. they dont like more than one or two VFR guys, and they dont pay a DIME until you have IFR mins

...600 hours will grant you NOTHING at GTA unless you know someone, as they get a ton of resumes at that level.

...not to discredit the option

PS i have some pipeline contact info at home for the Khou area, ill look it up for ya tomorrow!

Actually, recently when I checked most of their pilots were VFR only because they are having trouble keeping IFR pilots. And, they had just again updated their pay scale (for VFR and IFR pilots) to try and stop the high turnover rate of their pilots. You are correct in that they do have a lot of resumes. But with you living in HOU you have a very good edge over the candidates, as they seem to have trouble finding pilots in HOU.

 

[Hugh Johnson]

Eligible for any of the Military flight programs?

 

[WestHouston]

Eligible for any of the Military flight programs?

I only have an associates degree so that doesn't seem to viable an option.

 

[WestHouston]

Got a job offer with the pipeline patrol outfit. Evidently they are part 135 but I qualify for "VFR" 135. Flying a 182RG that seems to be in pretty good shape. The best part is it's got freaking air conditioning! It's a salaried position and with the current state of the industry I feel like it's better than instructing for two more years. Thanks to all y'all that gave advice and positive comments. I'm still looking for corporate one day, but this is fine for me now.d

 

[WestHouston]

Got a job offer with the pipeline patrol outfit. Evidently they are part 135 but I qualify for "VFR" 135. Flying a 182RG that seems to be in pretty good shape. The best part is it's got freaking air conditioning! It's a salaried position and with the current state of the industry I feel like it's better than instructing for two more years. Thanks to all y'all that gave advice and positive comments. I'm still looking for corporate one day, but this is fine for me now. I just want to try too keep my instrument skills current...

 

[CaravanMan]

Congrats, man!

I think that should be a good gig for you. You'll be able to build up all the right time...Total, PIC, and X/C. You'll have to find your IFR and Night time somewhere, but at least you'll get those, which will help when you want an IFR 135 job. The M.E. time will come, too.

I think that low-level flying should come in handy if you ever want jobs that operate low level in rough terrain, like fire fighting, and some Gov't jobs...not 100%, but seems like it might fit.

At any rate, way to go!!!

 

[kingairyahoo]

Got a job offer with the pipeline patrol outfit. Evidently they are part 135 but I qualify for "VFR" 135. Flying a 182RG that seems to be in pretty good shape. The best part is it's got freaking air conditioning! It's a salaried position and with the current state of the industry I feel like it's better than instructing for two more years. Thanks to all y'all that gave advice and positive comments. I'm still looking for corporate one day, but this is fine for me now. I just want to try too keep my instrument skills current...

LOL...instrument skills and pipeline patrol dont necessarily go together

nevertheless...it sounds like you found the very company i was gonna give you the contact info for...congrats!!!

 

[WestHouston]

LOL...instrument skills and pipeline patrol dont necessarily go together

nevertheless...it sounds like you found the very company i was gonna give you the contact info for...congrats!!!

Yeah, I'm hoping to keep flying the part 91 contract stuff on the weekends. Couple of buddies, one flies a 402 and the other a twin commander so hopefully my multi and ifr stuff will keep progressing. Thanks.

 

[WestHouston]

Well so much for my "job offer". It has since turned into "we are looking at several applicants and will let you know by the end of the week". F*cking great.