SJS - The Career Killer (tv spot)

[wrxpilot]

I dont want to see any "entitlement" from someone who'se never flown anything bigger than a Seminole. I'd like to see that they made an effort to find work flying -- charter, VFR freight, banner towing, mapping, traffic -- SOMETHING.

It is amazing the amount of pilots that want to jump right into some kind of ERJ commuter operation. As a low time pilot approaching the crossroads of PFT or paying dues, I find it hard to understand the appeal of jumping past all the fun stuff (CFI, hauling cargo in the middle of the night, handflying an old TP, etc.). IMO, once you're at a regional you're stuck there for awhile doing boring routes like CVG - ATL for eternity with pissed off employees and passengers. How could that be more desirable than hauling freight in the Northwest, charters in CA, or air ambulance in AK? I was on a Comair flight from CAK - CVG last week in a SJ and it didn't look that fun to me...

 

[BenderGonzales]

But was it shiny?

 

[wrxpilot]

But was it shiny?

Sure was!

 

[ACT700]

Great read, Bender.

And so true.

But, I have a problem, too; and so far no one's been able to help me: Where the hell are those damn ailerons on my airplane? This is driving me nuts!

If I don't find them soon, I'll have to go to work for a regional and take a paycut, that is more than those guys pay in taxes.

Somebody, please, tell me, where are my ailerons?!

 

[BenderGonzales]

I read that 3 times before I looked at your profile. MU2 joke, right? right? (confused)

On another subject. If you guys want to copy that and send it to the far corners of the aviation industry (IBT website, university alumni association, ALPA hotel committee folks, etc.) thats fine. But at LEAST give credit where credit is due.

Add the following line:

Written and directed by Bender Gonzales
Director of Marketing and Community Affairs
Organization for the Elimination of Fuzzy Airline Mascots

 

[RichardRambone]

Im bustin as$ cleaning planes for steller flight time and Im not looking hard at any regionals. There seems to be better paying 135 gigs out there that actually appeal to me more than SJS. I ferry planes not instruct (although occasionaly I sign off someones logbook) and I am happy everyday to even have a pilot job. My goal is to land that dream job making bank and living somewheres warm. I am a survivor of SJS. Until my 1000 hours comes around.

 

[BenderGonzales]

"My goal is to land that dream job making bank and living somewheres warm."

So when are you starting Medical School?

 

[PDH]

Stick with it. I did the ramp/flightline for years. One of the best ways to get started in this career and in my opinion probably the most rewarding.. You can trully say that you have been in everyones shoes involved with the operation. From tasting glycol during deiciing in a blowing snow storm to getting dumped on from a failed dougnut plug on a lav service or handling angry pax for what ever reason..I've done it. Flying a heavy now and on long flights when I reflect upon the past, I will smile knowing that I trully have made it to the top from the very bottom.

Also the ones that have been there will back me up on this... doing the commuter/turboprop thing, 8hrs/day 8-10 legs a day, no autopilot or moving map or efis... to challenging destinations with unpredictable wx.. Sets a foundation for your career that is unparalleled.

P.S.
We use to walk to work uphill in 3ft of snow also

Best of Luck

Thank you,

I have paid my dues with fuel trucks, snow shovels, and crappy de-ice equipment. If I get hired by a regional at 500 hrs., I have earned it. I spent 10 years in the trenches putting up with the lose nuts behind the yokes. Hauling spark plugs to Detroit on a statistic is not the only way to put in your time.

 

[BushwickBill]

Thank you,

I have paid my dues with fuel trucks, snow shovels, and crappy de-ice equipment. If I get hired by a regional at 500 hrs., I have earned it. I spent 10 years in the trenches putting up with the lose nuts behind the yokes. Hauling spark plugs to Detroit on a statistic is not the only way to put in your time.

I'm not sure if your going to be too stoked making 20k and living close to a big airport in a big pricey city. If you get hired with 500 hours its at least going to be 1500 hours of flying before you upgrade. Most likely thats on the low end.

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Throughly enjoyed the post. I wonder if there will be an "Instant CFI" infomercial in our future. "Just add $30,000 and voila!"

 

[Goose Egg]

If I get hired by a regional at 500 hrs., I have earned it. I spent 10 years in the trenches putting up with the lose nuts behind the yokes.

No one deserves that kind of treatment!

-Goose

 

[FurloughedAgain]

"If I get hired by a regional at 500 hrs., I have earned it."

Oh geez. This guy's gonna get slammed.

 

[BenderGonzales]

I thought so too, but here we are almost 3 months later and nobody did so.
(gratuitous bump)

 

[smellthejeta]

I donno, I got my dream job at 280 hours

 

[BoDEAN]

Too funny.