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Me I'm not even close yet to apply to even the regionals.

I was wondering commerical time in gliders, would that be looked upon favourbly? Right now it looks like I might have a chance for a job there once I get my CFIG.
 
Avbug,
I went back and re-read your post, excellent advise and a very professional way to do it. Your statement about being competitive very true as to what is happening out there. Our company just dumped 70 pilots on the market of which the least had 4000 hours with 2000 transport cat. time, the most had well over 24,000 hours and excellent pilots. So I would concure that any statement that you made is very true and correct and far from idiotic. Way to fight back, I liked that.
 
TurboS7,

Thanks. I should probably learn to keep my mouth shut and my fingers off a keyboard more; my life would probably have far less problems to solve. I think I tend to create my own.

Shawn, if you can find work flying, period, then go for it. Don't worry about what a potential employer for whom you're not yet working, will think. You're gaining experience in flight. All experience applies. Don't be too quick to subscribe to the "this is better than that" philosophy. Certainly multi engine turbojet experience might be a better boost to your career in terms of months and years, but never discount the lessons learned.

On a persona level, I began flying commercially right after high school, in the fields. I did ag work; crop dusting. Never was a kid more proud of what he did than was I; I was shocked to learn that others thought it was wasteful and cowboyish. It's not a highly respected segment of the industry, as I've come to learn. It's considered not only worthless time for an airline or corporate job, but almost detrimental in nature. If someone asks what you did for a living and you say "crop dusting," they look at you funny.

That said, given an opportunity, I would feel right at home and happy flying in the dirt and wheat and corn. Every bit as much as monkeying with avionics and thrust levers. When I flew ag, my soul was full, whereas right now I manage and follow proceedures. I love what I do now, I love what I did then. The point is very simple; do you love to fly gliders? You cannot eat love, but if you can make a living, however small, then do so. You will never come to regret the flying you do, and to hell with a world that would tell you otherwise.

It's your life. It's not going to hurt your career. I've certainly been told that my background isn't conducive to this job or that job. I'd rather not work for such a person or company anyhow. I've been told that lacking an education, I would be unable to have meaningful communication with the class of clientele catered to by a different employer. Coitus Interruptus to him, and to the equine upon which he trespassed the threshold.

You want to fly gliders? You fly them, and let no man, woman, or horse with a grudge tell you otherwise. The flight time and experience will make you a better pilot, and it does count toward total flight time. It isn't turbojet time, and it isn't multi engine time. It isn't necessarily career building time. It is a job, and there are many who have no job right now. If you can get one and hold it, then let no one disparage you. Be proud of what you can do, and let that pride show in how you do your job and what you take from it into your daily life.

Best of luck!
 
Add me to the list of people that think 717driver was way out of line.

Avbug said nothing about not applying. He did point out the differnce between stated minimums and competitive minimums, an important concept for anyone thinking of an airline career. A perfect example is United. In the not too distant past, their stated minimums were something like 300 hours and a Commercial certificate. I don't recall that United was hiring too many 300 hour pilots.

I think that this would be an excellent time for 717driver to eat a little humble pie and apologize to Avbug for misreading his post.

regards
 
Shawn,
I second everything that avbug said. If you can fly gliders fly gliders and make a little money doing it go for it. Airline pilots will envy you and walk up to you and say "I wish I had your job." You have to stay in aviation because you love it, in order to love it you have to fall in love with it. For avbug it was crop dusting, a very respectable career in itself and real flying. For me it was flying out of little jungle airstrips in South America. Some where some how this business grabs your heart and that is what keeps you going during tough times. I have flown a glider a couple of times but I wish I was in a financial position to get my license and teach soaring, I would love it. But as life goes on so does the responsibility, I fly a 737-800 as captain, I push buttons, I like the airplane because of where it takes me, not for the thrill of flying, I miss that a lot. If I could get paid what I make now as a soaring instructor I would quit tomorrow and go do it, soaring is really where it is all at. When and if I ever retire I will by a little condo in Lake Tahoe and soar. I hear you can stay up all day there ridge soaring, just stay aloft and watch the world go by. Go for it and you will create memories that will stay with you the rest of your life. I don't know if you are married but you just might meet a beautiful young female tow pilot....that is usually the way it works. Take the job and and fall in love with this thing like the rest of us, we are a chosen few...........
 
alright guys, sorry

I apologize. I hate hearing people say 'you aren't competitive if you have the minimums'. So many people are ill-advised not to apply for jobs for just that reason. But, I re-read your post and I think I overreacted. I'll stop typing so I can remove my foot from my mouth...so to speak.
 
717,

You're quite right: one can never get hired by a company to which one has never applied. Nobody should ever hold back from their dreams on the poor advice that they "might" not make it.

We all started somewhere, and started thereafter every year hence.
 
Well said.

Just because you aren't "competitive" doesn't mean you shouldn't apply. I am living proof of that.

I was sorry to learn of the layoffs, Tubo. I feel blessed to be flying at all in this environment. Hopefully, they will find new work.
 
Paid glider time

I'd say that any legitimate paid time is a plus. You still want to show primarily airplane time, but most people won't sniff their noses at you if you have a lot of paid glider time.

I have a friend who got fired from a job and couldn't find an aviation job for a couple of years. He worked at all kinds of non-aviation jobs, security guard, selling cars, etc. He was a glider instructor and heard about a glider instructor job. So, he packed up everything and took the job. He was able to work himself into an airplane instructor job with Lufthansa and at IFTA. Then he got on flying single-turbine freight, and, recently got on with EJA.

I agree with other opinions about applying, if you aren't competitive. It never hurts to apply. Your odds improve with the more stuff you sent out. Send stuff to the regionals or wherever as you approach their mins. Fill out an app. Update as you build time. Eventually, you'll be called.
 

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