What's your long term career strategy?

[dirkdigler]

So, now that the most of major airlines are hiring once again, how would you bet your career?

Given the fact that almost everything about our job is seniority driven, i.e., you cannot jump ship without having to start all over again from the very bottom of the food chain, it is extremely important for us to consider very carefully which airline you would want to sign up with.

Knowing what what you know about the economy and politics, domestic and global, the leadership of each company, etc., what do you think would be the best move?

Thanks for your input in advance..

 

[GuppyPuppy]

So, now that the most of major airlines are hiring once again, how would you bet your career?

Given the fact that almost everything about our job is seniority driven, i.e., you cannot jump ship without having to start all over again from the very bottom of the food chain, it is extremely important for us to consider very carefully which airline you would want to sign up with.

Knowing what what you know about the economy and politics, domestic and global, the leadership of each company, etc., what do you think would be the best move?

Thanks for your input in advance..

Take all your spare change and buy lottery tickets.

I actually won the lottery early in 2000, but Tilton and company took it away from me.

GP

 

[Lear70]

To enjoy my family and try not to let this crazy aviation thing ruin the rest of my life...

Seriously.

You can plan all you want,,, then fate steps in. Yoda had it right.

 

[STL717]

I'm six numbers from retirement......

a lottery ticket

 

[pilotyip]

Plan and aviation career in the same sentence? Isn't that an oxyi-moran (sp?) college you know. Next thing we will hear is someone wanting to know about aviation job security. Have plan B on the shelf, have a plan C in the can ready for the shelf. If you make a move you will know in five years if you made the rihgt choice. Talk to the FedEx and SWA pilots who jumped ship in 2000 and 2001 for DAL, UAL, etc.

 

[hoover]

You can't plan for this career. All you can do is prepare for it.

 

[LearLove]

So you wanna fly for a living but your smart and know or have been told about the aviation pitfalls.

If someone were in high school or college I'd tell them to get a degree outside aviation. Fly while in HS and college and instruct you senior year. Don't let your cfi expire - it is an automatic job (self employed CFI) if you get furloughed.

Then go for the military (Guard being the best). Get a heavy slot (17, 5, 135, 130 - seems these units pilots more than fighter guys). Once you back from training fly in the guard and get a regional/commuter job then when you have the times and they are hiring go to the major you get on with. Keep that guard job you never know when you'll need it.

Then keep your record/work history clean incase the worst happens. Don't get your friends on with your company/major. You want your friends at all the other Airlines so that if yours tanks they can walk in your stuff at theirs.

(right now i want all my aviation friends interviewing and getting on at NWA, CAL, DAL, UAL, Fl, JB ect. Of course I value my friends more than a "walk my resume in" but we are of no use to each other if we are all at US Air and the worse happens)

Don't piss anyone off in aviation - its a small world - you never know who is across the interview table (when you 40 something and you need that airline job at the only airline that is hiring to feed the kids/wife and house) or who was once on your right is now on your left.

Pray you have luck and lots of it.

 

[instructordude]

My strategy: Make some dough and get outta here by age 50. Pronto dude!

 

[Pocono Pilot]

My strategy: Make some dough and get outta here by age 50. Pronto dude!

I like your style. I plan on getting hired with a GOOD major airline, and enjoying the good life for a few years. I would like to retire young and RICH! instead of being unhappy at some second rate airline for years. the pickins are getting slim though.LOL

That's my plan and I am sticking to it.

 

[whaleroast]

If I am lucky, God will bless me with Alzheimers, which is fine because I won't remember how crappy my life as a pilot has been.

 

[PeanuckleCRJ]

Did instructordude just make a serious post? Or is my low beer light on?

 

[B190Captain]

My strategy: Make some dough and get outta here by age 50. Pronto dude!

Yeah ok! You are rackin up that cash at your flight school huh?

 

[Aviation Geek]

To get a job that will allow me to buy a car that costs more than $3000.

To get a job that will allow me to pay off my student loans before I retire.

To get a job that will allow me the luxury of buying name brand food.

To get a job that will allow me to buy liquor that does not come in plastic jugs.

My goals are simple.

 

[pilotyip]

me too

My strategy: Make some dough and get outta here by age 50. Pronto dude!

me too make some dough out of here by 70

 

[Black Hawk]

I've got my personal/financial needs squared away so I'm just going flying.