What does it take to get on with AIRNET

[guyincognito]

I'll trade someone my MBA for 1000/200. (The MBA was a lot easier to get...)

 

[NDPILOT]

The funny thing is, I do have a 4-year degree from ERAU and still no call

There is a class going right now with 4 ERAU people in it. The only other advice i'd give, be absolutly sure you're filling out the on-line app. correctly. If there is one mistake, it won't go through.

 

[IP076]

Class of 4 from ERAU? Current Class only has three people. Two are Riddle grads.

I guess there is a class scheduled for the 20th. I know for sure it has three former Riddle-PRC IPs in it.

Good Luck, Keep Trying!!

 

[spitfire1940]

what kind of mistake??

how would I know if there was a mistake in my Airnet app?

Shouldn't it kick back to you if there's something wrong with it?

Also, what qualifies as wrong? Any of you starcheckers out there able to help?

 

[BoilerBacker]

cmon, dont beleive that BULL$HIT.

A 4 yr degree to get on at a check hauler flying Barons all night??? has NOTHING to do with degrees, hours, etc....its just supply and demand.

Once hiring goes crazy again (if it does!) they wont be able to keep someone for more than 6 months!!

then again, maybe if you have an MBA you can get an interview..

Gulfstream,

How can you be so right and yet so wrong. You make getting "on with a check hauler flying Barons all night" sound like a prison sentence. I LOVE my job. I see my wife and kids now more than when I was a vice president at a bank and don't have to live half of my life in hotels (like many of our passenger carrying comrads.) As for getting hired having NOTHING to do with degrees, hours, etc... it's just supply and demand." You are exactly right in that it is a matter of supply and demand but, how do you think supply and demand works? When supply outweights demand, employers can be more selective and the requirements to get hired go way up... as in more experience (flight time), more education/training (degrees and/or ratings), and better connections (letters of recommendation and walked in resumes.)

Many places (including AirNet) use scoring models to initially screen apps. As demand decreases, the minimum score to move to the next level in the hiring process (phone interview with AirNet) goes up. Every little feather in your cap means more points and degrees get points as do ratings, work experience, flight time, and who really knows what else!

As you further stated, once hiring "goes crazy again", minimums will once again most likely go down as employers compete to attract potential employees. However, I have a feeling that AirNet will manage to keep a few longer than six months. Don't knock it (with so much apparent authority) until you have been there. We have many pilots still flying the line that have been with Airnet 10 to 20 years. There are bases within the AirNet system that there is absolutely no chance of ever getting because the people there are not leaving until they retire or AirNet locks them out of the planes (at least this is what these pilots have told me.)

In the mean time, in todays economy, if you are not flying professionally and have the desire to do so. I personally think one should do whatever you can do to continue to build time and add points to your resume. If you are not a CFI, get it If you are a CFI, get your MEI and/or II and, heavevn forbid!, GET OUT THERE AND TEACH. If you haven't yet, take the ATP written and if you have the hours and the cash, maybe get your ATP. But most of all, some how keep flying and keep that experience/logbook fresh.

Sorry for the length, but this just touched a nerve. Some people need to take off the rose colored glasses and realize that the aviation industry is a mess right now. Sure you need determination to make a career in this industry right now. But, you also need patience and to realize that the late 90's are over. That gravey part of the "hiring cycle" is gone for now. Supply is high and demand is low. It is up to us to make ourselves as well trained, experienced, and marketable as possible.

Best wishes and good luck
Boilerbacker

 

[uscpilot]

Hey spitfire the best thing you can do is talk to Craig. It has been about two and half years since I applied so I dont think there is much I can tell you. Really there is very little any of our line pilots can do. We are totally out of the loop. The only thing that we can do is recomend somebody. However, the only recomendations that are taken seriously are those where we have previously flown with the applicant and can vouch for their skills. The days of getting hired on the basis of "hey he is a good guy" are gone.
The application might not get rejected if it is messed up. Back when I applied it would not let me fill in my college experience, that nearly cost me. I just kept calling and calling until they realized the mistake.
Good Luck
PS You might want to get your MBA, kidding.

 

[spitfire1940]

USC pilot

thanks for the tips.

how's this for irony: a friend of mine who was starchecking out of Danbury (? or somewhere up there) quit after about a year so he could get his MBA.

I've got a double bachelors degree, so maybe Craig will laugh twice as hard when he throws my app into the round file.

 

[troy]

About the degree "required" for freight jobs.....does it really matter if it is from an aviation univerisity? I am working on my degree from South Dakota State Universtity. A newer program they have, Career and Tech. Education, focused on Aviation. (BS). Will this suffice in the market to be more competitive?

 

[NDPILOT]

As long as you have the college degree, i really don't think it matters - i know a lot of people who are flying that have business degrees and even more with engineering degrees. I have a degree in aeronautics and it hasn't made a bit of difference yet.

It's all about that......here it comes again...."WELL ROUNDED PERSON" i guess


good luck

 

[BoilerBacker]

degree/major

Troy,

My experience has been that it is the degree that matters... not the major. Personally, if I had it to do over again, I would probably major in something pretty general and NON-aviation related such as business, management, etc. (admittedly, that is easy for me to say now that it is done. I had a GREAT time as a flight major at Purdue though) There are too many ways that an aviation career can be hindered or ended completely. As pilots, I think we all try to leave ourselves an out should things get ugly while in the air. I believe that this is also a good idea when it comes to your aviation career. Don't get me wrong. If you are going to do it, go after it with gusto. However, there are things that happen that are beyond anyones control and when that happens, it's nice to have a backup plan to pay the bills.

good luck
boilerbacker

 

[spitfire1940]

if you have a choice

you might consider majoring in psychology (more specifically deviant psychology) so you can understand management.

sociology would also be an interesting major to help you comprehend the interrelations between various pilot groups, their unions and management. Actually, anthropology could be a better track here.

then there would be criminal justice (again, to help perceive the machinations of managers, although don't expect any justice).

or you could just sell out and get an MBA and join management.

although your university probably doesn't offer it, a course in survival would probably come in handy so you can augment your diet with roots and berries from the local forest while your making $17K being a regional FO. Learning how to trap wild game is also important (the skins make great mittens for your starving children and chicks really dig fur coats!)

disclaimer--this was all meant to be satire (pathetic as it was) so all you flamers out there just chill out ...

 

[BoilerBacker]

survival training/satire

Hey Spitfire1940

You may have meant to be funny but I must admit that I have managed to supplement my grocery bill for many years through my hunting and fishing. I haven't bought beef in many, many years. I usually manage to put 2 whitetails in the freezer each fall, among other things. Granted, my flight schedule and family life has severally altered my hunting and fishing opportunities but, it does help out with the grocery bill.

Happy hunting and safe flying
Boilerbacker

PS
Have not yet resorted to the whole bugs and berries thing yet. More of a meat and potatoes (well, actually no potatoes anymore in these low-carb days) kind of guy!

 

[spitfire1940]

Boilerbacker,

i'll be out with you this fall trying to get a whitetail for the table. fortunately or unfortunately, i've got a non-flying job that's paying all the bills and don't have to worry about the kids not getting enough protein.

but if i get hired by a commuter, i'll probably be very happy that Maryland has no limit on deer.

good luck and safe hunting and flying

 

[210FR8DOG]

LOL

......roots and berries from your local forest

Spitfire, that was hilarious!! I'm rolling on the floor!!

Don't forget to take your "4 D-cell" flashlight with you because you know you will not land until well after sundown and show time the next day will be shortly after sun-up!! Also, try not to get any deer-dung on that fancy uniform!

 

[spitfire1940]

Deer poop

FR8DOG,

that deer dung is important--if you collect enough of it, you can set it on fire with your zippo and at least be able to preflight the landing gear after you realize all those D-cell batteries are DEAD.

Also, you can lower your utility bill by burning it in the fireplace to stay warm. i think the eskimos do this, but they have an advantage because moose and carribou are more "productive" in this area.

also, if you get a little dung on your spiffy uniform, the smell will prevent any dangerous liasons with flight attendants, which could save your marriage!!

So when management pays me $16k a year, it's FOR MY OWN GOOD!