Anyone else having a tough time getting hired?

[leafs95]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

[pelmet]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

I certainly did at 270 hours. Suggest contacting skydiving and glider towing places or getting an instructors license. I didn't get my first real airline job until I had 1800 hours. But I got loads of good experience along the way. Tailwheel pilots are difficult to find sometimes and getting 5 hours of that could make you more attractive to some of these places. Hint: a busy skydiving or glider towing place with taildraggers only can have real shortages of pilots for weekday flying and perhaps be more receptive to to a low-timer getting a foot in the door if they are available during that time.

[Roar]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

6 months of looking for your first flying job is nothing, don’t get discouraged. Keep trying and making contacts it will happen.
Back in the mid 90’s it took me 2.5 years.

[daedalusx]

It's still easy. The easiest it's been in since 2005 except for that temporary bubble a few years back when you'd get a phone call from Jazz at 400 hours - those days are most likely over for at least another decade.
In fact my buddy just hired someone with your level of experience on a 1900.
At your experience, networking and attitude is everything.
CP gets 50 resumes like yours from all over Canada, what makes you a better candidate than the other 49 ?
Showing up helps. Getting your name out helps.
If you still can't find anything and it's been 6 months hit the usual 703/4/705 with dispatch/ramp to flight line operators.
Perimeter, Tindi, CMA, Skycare, etc
I refuse to believe that in 2025 you can't find a dispatch/ramp job with a pilot pathway program

[digits_]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

Did you go out and meet people?

What you mention about your cover letter puzzles me a bit. Either you apply to companies that require bonds or ground jobs, in which case it's implied you're ok with it. Or you apply to companies that do not require those things, in which case it's weird that you would mention it. Do you tailor the cover letter to the company you're applying to?

[leafs95]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

Did you go out and meet people?

What you mention about your cover letter puzzles me a bit. Either you apply to companies that require bonds or ground jobs, in which case it's implied you're ok with it. Or you apply to companies that do not require those things, in which case it's weird that you would mention it. Do you tailor the cover letter to the company you're applying to?

I have not made a road trip, though it seems that might be my next move.

To answer your question about CV's, I do edit and tailor it appropriately depending on the position I'm applying for. If it's a ground to flight, I won't include it as like you said it's implied I'm fine with it. However, For positions that are direct entry FO, I'll tailor it completely for the FO position, save for the very end where I add in a single sentence about also being "open to ground to flight positions and/or training bonds" if that's something the operator thinks they would be interested in hiring me for.

I've been doing this method for the past 6 months and it seemed to make sense at the time, though I'm hoping I haven't been shooting myself in the foot this whole time. Thank you for your reply

[cdnavater]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

Did you go out and meet people?

What you mention about your cover letter puzzles me a bit. Either you apply to companies that require bonds or ground jobs, in which case it's implied you're ok with it. Or you apply to companies that do not require those things, in which case it's weird that you would mention it. Do you tailor the cover letter to the company you're applying to?

I have not made a road trip, though it seems that might be my next move.

To answer your question about CV's, I do edit and tailor it appropriately depending on the position I'm applying for. If it's a ground to flight, I won't include it as like you said it's implied I'm fine with it. However, For positions that are direct entry FO, I'll tailor it completely for the FO position, save for the very end where I add in a single sentence about also being "open to ground to flight positions and/or training bonds" if that's something the operator thinks they would be interested in hiring me for.

I've been doing this method for the past 6 months and it seemed to make sense at the time, though I'm hoping I haven't been shooting myself in the foot this whole time. Thank you for your reply

Road trip is basically the only thing that will set you apart, pack your vehicle and be ready to stay where you are hired, ie; don’t say I’m prepared to go home and pack right now, say I’m prepared to stay here today.
One thing working against you, hiring has been slowing down and might get worse with the current trade war beginning.

[CaptDukeNukem]

CPL Group 1 w/ written ATPL exams, 270 TT, 105 PIC, 26 Multi for reference

Been searching for a job since August 2024, put out 60+ apps across the country, some places multiple times and still no dice. I've been looking for ground to flight options with training bonds as well, making it known in my cover letter that I'm open to those options too.

It's now February and I'm feeling a little discouraged to say the least. I've reached out to many people regarding resume & CV advice and I feel I've fine tuned it enough to where it's in good order. I don't know what else to do. Is anyone going through a similar experience and does anyone have any advice?

TIA

Did you go out and meet people?

What you mention about your cover letter puzzles me a bit. Either you apply to companies that require bonds or ground jobs, in which case it's implied you're ok with it. Or you apply to companies that do not require those things, in which case it's weird that you would mention it. Do you tailor the cover letter to the company you're applying to?

I have not made a road trip, though it seems that might be my next move.

To answer your question about CV's, I do edit and tailor it appropriately depending on the position I'm applying for. If it's a ground to flight, I won't include it as like you said it's implied I'm fine with it. However, For positions that are direct entry FO, I'll tailor it completely for the FO position, save for the very end where I add in a single sentence about also being "open to ground to flight positions and/or training bonds" if that's something the operator thinks they would be interested in hiring me for.

I've been doing this method for the past 6 months and it seemed to make sense at the time, though I'm hoping I haven't been shooting myself in the foot this whole time. Thank you for your reply

Try mag aero out of Dryden. They always looking for drivers around April/May.

[rookiepilot]

100 PIC and not yet hired to directly control a multimillion dollar piece of equipment.

Man these employers out there are scumbags. How dare anyone ask me to work on a ramp. (Not from the OP necessarily, but I see it in the comments)

Any idea how much small businesses of all kinds are struggling these days? Get a grip.

Manage expectations anyone?

There are thousands of guys like you. Why you needs to be the question you can answer.

Why haven’t you done a road trip already? In the worst weather you can imagine.

Stand out somehow.

[digits_]

However, For positions that are direct entry FO, I'll tailor it completely for the FO position, save for the very end where I add in a single sentence about also being "open to ground to flight positions and/or training bonds" if that's something the operator thinks they would be interested in hiring me for.

Don't do that. The first people reading your resume are likely pilots as well. This doesn't look good. It's one thing to be willing to accept it, but with statements like this it looks like you're asking for it, which I would find a bit weird if I saw that on a resume.

If there are ground options you'd qualify for, they'll tell you about it if they like you/your resume.

[JHR]

Yes, ditch the part about welcoming a training bond!

[co-joe]

Yes, ditch the part about welcoming a training bond!

Agreed. Obviously you can decide if you're willing to sign one when they slide it across the desk at you, but I wouldn't advertise that you're willing to do it.

[co-joe]

Pick a company.
Using the correct spelling of both the company name and the CP's name, send a resume via email with a cover letter tailored to that company, and your
Resume. See the sticky above regarding resume and cover letter advise.

Wait a week. Try and phone to confirm receipt. Send updates once a month or on significant change.

Email prior, but explain that you are doing a road trip, and would appreciate 5 minutes of somebody's valuable time.

Stop by, dressed like pilots dress in the company. Have a resume, licence copy
and all that good stuff ready.

Try hard to network so that someone in the company can walk you into the CP's office.
Try not to fart, burp or drool in the office.

Some wise words by the late Bob Heath in this thread.

viewtopic.php?p=755037&hilit=road+trip#p755037

Use the advanced search function and look for the words "road trip", use "Just Curious" as the author if you want, you'll see what a stand up guy he was and how he always wanted to help young pilots start out. From there branch out and read some of the other authors you'll see. It's been a few years since the road trip was mandatory but the skills are the same.

[Me262]

100 PIC and not yet hired to directly control a multimillion dollar piece of equipment.

Man these employers out there are scumbags. How dare anyone ask me to work on a ramp. (Not from the OP necessarily, but I see it in the comments)

Any idea how much small businesses of all kinds are struggling these days? Get a grip.

Manage expectations anyone?

There are thousands of guys like you. Why you needs to be the question you can answer.

Why haven’t you done a road trip already? In the worst weather you can imagine.

Stand out somehow.

Meanwhile in Europe, the majority will get hired on 737 and 320 with only 100PIC. With a much more diverse and busy airspace. And the news aren't flooded with crashes due to "lack of experience" of these entitled FOs. But yes, do a road trip, go paint some fences, make Buffalo Joe happy. The Canadian way.

[piperdriver]

However, For positions that are direct entry FO, I'll tailor it completely for the FO position, save for the very end where I add in a single sentence about also being "open to ground to flight positions and/or training bonds" if that's something the operator thinks they would be interested in hiring me for.

Don't do that. The first people reading your resume are likely pilots as well. This doesn't look good. It's one thing to be willing to accept it, but with statements like this it looks like you're asking for it, which I would find a bit weird if I saw that on a resume.

If there are ground options you'd qualify for, they'll tell you about it if they like you/your resume.

Excellent advice, I agree with Digits 100%.

Delete the training bond comments from your resume immediately!

Also what makes you stand out from the others? Literally every new pilot is going to have a CPL, Multi, IFR, IATRA, 250tt blah blah blah listed on their CV. I want to know what makes you unique or different from the other candidates? Have you worked in other fields with transferable skills? Can you operate a skidsteer, forklift or a chainsaw? Are you physically fit? Do you go to the gym on a regular basis? Are you able to roll a full drum of fuel and and stand it up. All 703 ops are flying cargo so having a pilot that is physically fit to load unload the plane with all kinds of awkward loads is a great asset.

In aviation, especially 703 ops, you work alongside other teammates/co-workers example: ops manager, chief pilot, ramp workers, dispatcher. What makes you an excellent team member? Have you worked in a team environment before? Try to incorporate on your cover letter how your a great teammate. This is huge in 703 ops. Your going to be spending quite a bit of time with your co-workers so you need to be able to get along with all types of personalities.


I believe it's going to be very challenging for new pilots going forward. I know the flight school probably sold you the dream of a massive pilot shortage so on and so forth. The truth is there may be a shortage of experienced captains in certain fields, but there is no shortage of 250tt commercial pilots. Its going to be tough but keep your head up and don't give up.

Good luck.

[pelmet]

100 PIC and not yet hired to directly control a multimillion dollar piece of equipment.

Man these employers out there are scumbags. How dare anyone ask me to work on a ramp. (Not from the OP necessarily, but I see it in the comments)

Any idea how much small businesses of all kinds are struggling these days? Get a grip.

Manage expectations anyone?

There are thousands of guys like you. Why you needs to be the question you can answer.

Why haven’t you done a road trip already? In the worst weather you can imagine.

Stand out somehow.

Meanwhile in Europe, the majority will get hired on 737 and 320 with only 100PIC. With a much more diverse and busy airspace. And the news aren't flooded with crashes due to "lack of experience" of these entitled FOs. But yes, do a road trip, go paint some fences, make Buffalo Joe happy. The Canadian way.

I flew a whole bunch of turboprop types before getting those magic type ratings on the above aircraft. It was great experience and it made me a better pilot. Toilet facilities were dumped, planes washed, freight loaded, etc. I believe that a much lower percentage of people that want a pilot career in Europe can have one due to much higher training costs plus silly post-secondary waste of time education requirements.

I still suggest the hour-building idea I put forth above. I think most surgeons didn’t start off in the hospital doing surgery.

[canadianfly]

Don't get discouraged mate it took me 3 years to get my first job.
Like you, i sent dozens of applications and ended up taking a cabin crew job for a while untill the market stabilized.
Be patient in the hold but don't waste your time grab something, time flies faster than we do.

[lowoleo22]

Took me about a year in 2020 to find a job, ended up landing one with aerial survey. I agree with many of the posters above. Find a way to stand out. And network like your life depends on it... (linkedin, instagram etc.). Attend events in the aviation community, shake hands, reach out. There are just too many new pilots and too many resumes floating around to CPs. Most pilots get hired through word of mouth, not a resume in a heavy stack. It's just the way it is.

[rookiepilot]

100 PIC and not yet hired to directly control a multimillion dollar piece of equipment.

Man these employers out there are scumbags. How dare anyone ask me to work on a ramp. (Not from the OP necessarily, but I see it in the comments)

Any idea how much small businesses of all kinds are struggling these days? Get a grip.

Manage expectations anyone?

There are thousands of guys like you. Why you needs to be the question you can answer.

Why haven’t you done a road trip already? In the worst weather you can imagine.

Stand out somehow.

I don’t mean to be a jerk, and to be fair I have been saying the same thing for awhile , but its only likely going to get more challenging in the intermediate term. JMO.

Want to measure those odds? Watch the stock market. It will tell you.

[pelmet]

So, are you planning on getting more experience in various flying areas like I suggested? I skipped the instructor thing, didn't want anything to do with it(although I have done aircraft checkouts). But as someone pointed out to me, a certain percentage flying experience that is instruction can make one look better as training pilots are frequently in demand by a company. Fair point.

[newlygrounded]

100 PIC and not yet hired to directly control a multimillion dollar piece of equipment.

Man these employers out there are scumbags. How dare anyone ask me to work on a ramp. (Not from the OP necessarily, but I see it in the comments)

Any idea how much small businesses of all kinds are struggling these days? Get a grip.

Manage expectations anyone?

There are thousands of guys like you. Why you needs to be the question you can answer.

Why haven’t you done a road trip already? In the worst weather you can imagine.

Stand out somehow.

It’s kind of funny nobody in this industry realizes it’s normal to get the keys to the castle the first few days in a professional job. Do we not let accountant see company financial data because they might leak it?

Do we not let IT people have access to secure systems?

[goldeneagle]

Do we not let IT people have access to secure systems?

Actually, we dont. in a large operation IT people typically start on the help desk as the entry level position. Most systems properly set up have many levels of access, and very very few folks will have full access to a secure system. The amount of access one gets will be tailored to the job in question. Help desk folks will be able to deal with end user issues like network access, password management etc, but have no visibility into accounting systems. In a typical setup, there will be _at least_ 4 levels of access available, and only the folks at level 4 will have ultimate access to the system. They tend to be long time employees that are highly qualified.

ofc a lot of this depends on organization size too, at small companies the IT department is often just one person, so ya, that person would have access to everything.

[rookiepilot]

Do we not let IT people have access to secure systems?

Actually, we dont. in a large operation IT people typically start on the help desk as the entry level position. Most systems properly set up have many levels of access, and very very few folks will have full access to a secure system. The amount of access one gets will be tailored to the job in question. Help desk folks will be able to deal with end user issues like network access, password management etc, but have no visibility into accounting systems. In a typical setup, there will be _at least_ 4 levels of access available, and only the folks at level 4 will have ultimate access to the system. They tend to be long time employees that are highly qualified.

ofc a lot of this depends on organization size too, at small companies the IT department is often just one person, so ya, that person would have access to everything.

It’s incredible this needs to be explained. The levels of assumption and entitlement blow my mind.

No wonder I think the whole thing is going to crash. Everyone’s brains have been hardwired for destruction.

Yes its hard for young people. The older generations have really screwed them over by inflating housing beyond all hope of affordability and loading the system with debt.

But even worse is what the young people have been taught. That they are all winners just for showing up. Or even if they don’t show up. Hard work is a dirty word. Everyone is special and deserves to win. Automatically. Just look at reading and math scores in school.

Again, I blame the older generation. Parents. They are the mentors and have f—ed up their number one responsibility.

Gonna be some brutally hard lessons to unlearn. I am sorry young people.

Boomers you should be on your knees begging forgiveness to every young person you meet.

[newlygrounded]

Do we not let IT people have access to secure systems?

Actually, we dont. in a large operation IT people typically start on the help desk as the entry level position. Most systems properly set up have many levels of access, and very very few folks will have full access to a secure system. The amount of access one gets will be tailored to the job in question. Help desk folks will be able to deal with end user issues like network access, password management etc, but have no visibility into accounting systems. In a typical setup, there will be _at least_ 4 levels of access available, and only the folks at level 4 will have ultimate access to the system. They tend to be long time employees that are highly qualified.

ofc a lot of this depends on organization size too, at small companies the IT department is often just one person, so ya, that person would have access to everything.

Yes I'm aware of the lease privilege principle, but you don't hire an engineer for a firewall replacement project and then make them answer level 1 tickets for 6 months. You give them read only access until probation is over or whatever time period your director sets. I don't tell them to clean toilets

But even worse is what the young people have been taught. That they are all winners just for showing up. Or even if they don’t show up. Hard work is a dirty word. Everyone is special and deserves to win. Automatically. Just look at reading and math scores in school.

Who here is saying that? I'm simply saying in all my years of dealing with Hiring I never made someone do "bitch work" for 6 months to prove themselves. Their resume and personality shows that. At most I wait until probation before giving them more access.

But let's play your game. Everyone I know screams about lazy zoomers, cool. What is there for them to work towards? Maybe if they give up their social life, travelling etc, they can work 2 jobs and buy a home in shithole lake. The social contract was yanked from under them.

[digits_]

they can work 2 jobs and buy a home in shithole lake. The social contract was yanked from under them.

Nope, their employer likely tries to illegally prohibit thar so they are all 'fully committed' to their one employer.