Where should I go?

[captdorn81]

I recently graduated from ERAU and just finnished up my CFI. I am currently working on my Masters but I still have a while until that will be finnished. I am at a total loss as to where I want to go. I know that because I am still fairly low in hours I have a while until I can apply to any fractional or regional. But I still dont know which is better. My ultamate goal is to fly for Southwest or any Major for that matter. I have some friends in the Air Force who sware by it and others in the Regionals who love their jobs as well. Can anyone give some advise to a low timer like me who is a little ignorant of the true ways of this industry. Thanks.

 

[blueridge71]

Start instructing and beg/borrow/steal time in any multi-engine airplane that you can get your hands on. With about 1000-1500 hours you can get hired at a regional or a cargo company. You'll need at least 100 multi. 250 or so would open a lot more doors.

 

[pilotyip]

You have to decide on what you want, if it is becoming a pilot then you apply everywhere that might hire you, this includes SIC on turboprops in the cargo business. Anyplace that will build time, always looking for that 1000 TJ PIC. You have to move to where the job, don't let the masters get in the way of building hours, no one in the hiring business will care about a masters. Don't forgetto look at the military including the Army, we have hired a lot of Army helo pilots into our DA-20's. They are fantastic pilots.

 

[Turtlesfly]

I won't tell you what large aviation institution I went to, but I will tell you this, nothing matters more than flight time. I came from a crappy regional airline to where I am now, and the flight time was what got me the jet job, not the university degree or anybody to "Walk in your resume."

Undoubedly, you're going to get a whole bunch of people on this site who'll tell you not to even enter the industry, because it is pretty much rock bottom right now. You are basically a Walmart clerk who happens to fly airplanes - you are disposable, the management doesn't care about you, the unions are pretty soft right now, everybody's bankrupt, contracts mean nothing, the opening pay is poverty level . . . . and we're still in it but I'm not sure somedays. For sure, some will tell you to find a better career. Just warning you!

Cheers

 

[nonstop]

Go to Wal-Mart and stand just inside the entrance. Have a nice, long look at the greeter. Envision spending years 60-75 in that spot.

Sound good? Ok, anywhere will do... the important thing is you're in the right profession.

 

[mckpickle]

Well I'd say if you support Bush like your avatar stay away from aviation completely! Unless you plan on being management. Otherwise your choice will haunt you.

 

[Rossa]

Buddy,

You need to think about the LACK of help the folks in your avatar are giving to airline employees!!!
I'm not wishing to start a political discussion, but it ticks me off when guys like you, who only want what the rest of us in this industry want, think that those two clowns in your avatar will EVER help employee groups.
One day you will most likely be part of a union. One day you may be on the receiving end of mngt's antics. One day you may realize that Bush / Cheney did nothing to help your future predicament.
It's O.K to ask advice, just do us all a favor and change the avatar to something sexist or grotesque!

 

[OPECJet]

You should go away....

Run as fast as you can away from this BS career.

 

[AWACoff]

When you finish your masters degree (hopefully it's not an aviation related one...), get as far away from this industry as possible. If you like divorce, living out of a suitcase, divorce, paying maintenance, fatherless children, low pay, divorce....did I mention this job is tough on marriages, then this is the job for you. Oops...gotta go, getting junior manned again.

 

[pipejockey]

Why do people keep flocking to this profession??
Lets ask the wise old owl, he was able to tell us how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop.

 

[FN FAL]

I recently graduated from ERAU and just finnished up my CFI. I am currently working on my Masters but I still have a while until that will be finnished. I am at a total loss as to where I want to go. I know that because I am still fairly low in hours I have a while until I can apply to any fractional or regional. But I still dont know which is better. My ultamate goal is to fly for Southwest or any Major for that matter. I have some friends in the Air Force who sware by it and others in the Regionals who love their jobs as well. Can anyone give some advise to a low timer like me who is a little ignorant of the true ways of this industry. Thanks.

Fly jumpers, split costs with friends on rentals, get checked out in a rental plane and burn a few hours here or there. Sooner or later, you'll figure a way to get a couple multi hours and "badda bing", you'll get your first break. It'll happen sooner or later, but you have to make it happen.

 

[jbDC9]

Perhaps you should head back to grade school to learn to spell?

 

[FN FAL]

Perhaps you should head back to grade school to learn to spell?

:nuts: :beer:

 

[Gr82Aviate]

Perhaps you should head back to grade school to learn to spell?

Maybe he'll figure out the spelling while he's "ultamatly finnishing" his masters???

 

[Gelopilot79]

As a ERAU grad, I'll reiterate what one of the previous replies said on this thread. . don't think the ERAU degree will be a easier ticket. . .It has its advantage for sure, but def not by expecting a jet job at 400-600hrs (unless u go through the CAPT program) I thought so myself when I went to riddle, and its work just like anyone else to get to that airline/121 job. The riddle ticket MAY only work when your w/in maybe 100/150 hours from another guy and the co is very picky and the other guy just went to a Comm college, then that MAY get you ahead, but also keep in mind, if the other gentleman does better at ansering the ques more precisly and has better attitude, even though u may have the riddle degree, he will get the job. So that aside. .
I flew jumpers on a C182 for about 450 hours after I got my commercial, got alot of PIC and good time builder, then got my CFI ticket, and now to build multi time I am working for a 135 charter in FLL. Another word of advice, if you don't want to CFI (like me) go to FLL area, that place is a a breeding ground of 135/91 ops, corporate/ cargo, etc. . many of them will take low time guys to build time, even if you don't meet the 135 IFR mins, they will allow you to build time on 91 legs until u reach the 135 mins, then go to PIC to build time, after a year of doing that, you'll walk out with a copious amount of multi time (500+), and the doors would be open to virtually anywhere, as well as 135 expeirence, which looks better on the resume then most of the other ways to build time.
P.S.
One other thing to mention, if you got the aero/sci degree from riddle, it does help when u go into INDOC and systems since many of the degree courses at riddle aero sci degree gives a broad stroke on jet systems/aerodynamics etc. But as far as flight expeirence, which is MOST paramount to getting the job as stated by the previous guy on this thread, thats what gets u the job more then anything. .

 

[pilotyip]

If you like to fly, this is still a great career. To be paid good money, I consider $100K/yr good money, to do something you like it everyone's dream. Very few people get to live their dream. I am still living my dream.

 

[MJ42]

Air National Guard! Apply to several units. Best training you'll ever get and great preparation for the airlines. You'll be flying for a regional within 2 years (from start of UPT) or maybe will be able to go directly to a major if you guard bum and are able to build PIC time. Get the best of both worlds flying for the military and airline at the same time! Also it is nice to fall back on guard bumming if ever needed (because of the dreaded aviation "F" word).

P.S. Keep the avatar, those of us that see the bigger (worldly) picture agree with your choice!

 

[pilotyip]

Guard bumming, the best fall back ever invented. I made more one year when I was laid off than I did as full time pilot the year before.

 

[Rekks Inbound]

Flight instruct, fly night cargo, but most of all be patient. Don't try to 'jump the gun' so to speak. Good experience takes time, don't be afraid of it, but learn from it.

Rekks

Oh and by the way, change the avatar. Those of us who have actually travelled the world, and have a unbiased view of it, realize that they are not a road that we, or the world want to or should go down. They are not admired overseas, contrary to 'popular' belief. And they are a quick way to keep flying for the guard (no offense, I totally respect what you guys do). But the pro-management enviroment they create is detrimental to your career in the airlines, and none of the rest matters if you can't put a roof over your head and feed your family.

 

[dbchandler1]

Instruct at a good school, you'll build time quick and learn tons about flying, regs, and dealing with people. talk to everyone and make tons of friends cause if you make the right connections you can do anything in this business.

Oh and do what ever you want with your aviatar i dont think we need to take a poll on whether you should have that one or not, just like we dont have to take a poll of the rest of the world to detirmine who we should have for president. if anyone thinks the president really matters in our occupation theyre fooling themselves. the problem is the fact that we even need unions to keep our pay and bennies and the only reason we need em is because our occupation is considered a hobby by too many people.

 

[pianoman]

I think the election's over.

 

[Rossa]

P.S. Keep the avatar, those of us that see the bigger (worldly) picture agree with your choice!

P.S. I'm nuts enough to have flown a MU2, according to my profile I haven't served in the Guard (in a pilot capacity - correct me if I'm wrong), but because I'm a Captain I see "the bigger picture".

NEWSFLASH: Armed forces morale almost at an all time low! Recruitment far behind goals! Airline industry in the s%$^^&# and strength of unions declining daily! Get a life man.............The avatar is a joke! Any pilot who believes in that crap, while they carry a union card or ever plans to exit the forces and get into an airline worth a damn needs to wake up!

 

[MarineGrunt]

NEWSFLASH: Armed forces morale almost at an all time low!

It is a news flash to me!

 

[GeekMaster]

I would HIGHLY recommend that you find a good Electrician or Plumber and hire on as his apprentice. Most states require a 2 year apprenticeship. You'll make about twice what you'll make your first two years as a regional pilot. With your intelligence, you will find the state exam for either choice quite reasonable. Then you can earn a decent living making more than any regional pilot of equal seniority out there. If you are aggressive and go into business for yourself, you can even give the major flyboys a run for their money. In addition, you get to stay close to home and watch your kids grow up, keep your wife happy, attend school plays, weddings, and football games. You'll have enough cash to rent airplanes for fun on a regular basis. You'll have enough cash to buy a ticket to your vacation spot instead of getting stranded going standby.

The industry is in a very bad place right now.

 

[pilotyip]

Yes a plumber may make more, but if you like to fly airplanes you will be an unhappy plumber. However if you are in it for the money and for a looking a career with steady good pay and some control over your life, unpluging sewers is probably the right path.

 

[MJ42]

P.S. I'm nuts enough to have flown a MU2, according to my profile I haven't served in the Guard (in a pilot capacity - correct me if I'm wrong), but because I'm a Captain I see "the bigger picture".

NEWSFLASH: Armed forces morale almost at an all time low! Recruitment far behind goals! Airline industry in the s%$^^&# and strength of unions declining daily! Get a life man.............The avatar is a joke! Any pilot who believes in that crap, while they carry a union card or ever plans to exit the forces and get into an airline worth a dang needs to wake up!

Lots of assumptions, but you are wrong. MU-2 is a great airplane in the hands of a capable pilot. Maybe I need to add C130, T-37, T-38 (my UPT was before the beechjet). I guess you're not up to the responsibility of being Captain or you would not have added that comment.

NEWSFLASH: althought enlistment levels are lower then quotas, RE-ENLISTMENT is at a very HIGH level. Guess morale for those guys defending OUR freedom isn't as bad as you thought, but you probably get your info from a few like minded buddies.

Can we get back to helping a fellow pilot with advice in starting his career.

 

[nonstop]

Yes a plumber may make more, but if you like to fly airplanes you will be an unhappy plumber. However if you are in it for the money and for a looking a career with steady good pay and some control over your life, unpluging sewers is probably the right path.

Wow, are you actually in this profession? Unfortunately the majority of time you'll be "working" as a pilot you won't be in an airplane. If you like flying airplanes, it makes a great hobby. If you like sitting in airports in a polyester suit, totting all your worldly possessions you'll need for days-weeks in a small black box, sitting in crappy hotel rooms in BFE trying to decide which of the 11 channels to watch and how to avoid ordering room service which will more likely cost more than you made that day.... airline pilot it is! Then the 300-400 hours you "work" that month won't feel like work at all.

 

[nonstop]

Oh wow, I almost forgot to mention vans/buses. To love aviation careers (especially the airline variety) you HAVE to love vans and buses. Not only riding IN them, but waiting for them. You'll most likely spend 1 hour of every day you're at work, waiting for and riding in a van/bus of some type.

 

[pilotyip]

Non-stop I still had more time off at home as a line pilot than I do as lower level management. 300-400 hours per month are you counting the time you are sleeping in the hotel? That would be 75-100 hours per week, considering that has to be done in 6 days, 1 in sevens you know that would be 12-17 hours work per day. Not to mention 10-15 days off per month. I think you are stretching reality. I look at our pilot’s pre-diem reports. They average 200 hours per month on per-diem, that is a 50-hour week average. Which is less time than I put in.

 

[nonstop]

Non-stop I still had more time off at home as a line pilot than I do as lower level management. 300-400 hours per month are you counting the time you are sleeping in the hotel? That would be 75-100 hours per week, considering that has to be done in 6 days, 1 in sevens you know that would be 12-17 hours work per day. Not to mention 10-15 days off per month. I think you are stretching reality. I look at our pilot’s pre-diem reports. They average 200 hours per month on per-diem, that is a 50-hour week average. Which is less time than I put in.

I am stretching reality? I think that's exactly what you're trying to do. Do you subtract the time you sleep from your time off as well? So if I have 3 days off, or 72 hours off I should subtract 24 because I'll be sleeping 3 nights? Should I tell my buddy who just got deployed to Afganistan that he's REALLY only going to be there for 8 months because he'll be sleeping 4 of them?

BTW- This guy was originally asking about fractionals or regionals. That's great you can fly rubber dog crap out of Ypsilanti, MI and work 200 hours a month, but most regional and fractional schedules I'm aware of have a much higher average TAFB.