type of first job

jamesinator · Post by **jamesinator** » Tue May 29, 2007 7:40 pm

Hi There, I'm going into the confederation college aviation-flight management program in the fall, and I was wondering what kind of salary, and what kind of job you could expect upon graduating?

thanks

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Tue May 29, 2007 7:42 pm

Have you asked the college?

Pilot_adam · Post by **Pilot_adam** » Wed May 30, 2007 9:56 am

I know two recent graduates..

The first guy went on and got his Multi-IFR in a couple of weeks and is working on the ramp up north right now..

The second wanted to make a career out of flying floats , he is working on a dock and doing the occasional flight here and there.

Money wise,the second guy is making more money and having more fun at the moment.

767 · Post by **767** » Wed May 30, 2007 6:29 pm

when you graduate, apply to jazz.. try to finish in the top of your class if you can.. if that doesnt work, then you got to wait in line like the rest... usually, people work as instructors, they go up north in bush flying, thats about it for canada as far as i know.. me personally, thinking of instructing, or maybe going to jazz, haha, just kiddin.. good luck

RVR6000 · Post by **RVR6000** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:21 pm

Look no further than the Job Ad section:

'Entry level position starting on Ramp or in Courier, leading to DC3 F/O
Minimum Commercial License Multi IFR with IATRA written 250 hours'

After you're done school you're fully qualified to fuel and load cargo into planes.

fingersmac · Post by **fingersmac** » Wed May 30, 2007 8:36 pm

I just graduated and I'm working for a company is Northwestern Ontario on the ramp. I make $10.50/hr and work at least 80hrs a week. Upgrade to a flying position within a year.

Most of my classmates make a similar wage; some are flying, others are ramping. There are quite a few that are working on their instructor ratings, most of whom will make a similar wage.

Morav · Post by **Morav** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:19 pm

I just graduated an aviation college and I'm flying skydivers. It's fun.

noisyride · Post by **noisyride** » Thu May 31, 2007 4:24 am

I know the old saying "Go north, young man" has typically been the advise given to new graduates in the past, and a lot of young guys have gone up north to start their career, however... everytime I'm up north and see typical bush operations, most of the pilots seem to be older, rather than looking like recent college grads. Are less new grads going this route now?

Cleared Enroute · Post by **Cleared Enroute** » Thu May 31, 2007 3:37 pm

As a guy who graduated last May. I can tell you that there's no critical pilot shortage, although there is more and more movement through the industry. I was flying a Navajo out of YYZ for a couple of months as soon as i finished school, but would have averaged mabye 200 hrs a year so I would have been there forever before I ever got enough time to move on. Now i'm working for another airline and spend 4 hours a night watching planes on a computer screen and 4 hours a night scrubbing landing gear. They tell me i'll be flying in less than a year. Welcome to the cold reality of a new pilot.

On a side note a touring band of struggling musicians stayed at my house last weekend and were probably making better money than I am.

jamesinator · Post by **jamesinator** » Thu May 31, 2007 5:46 pm

so what if i live at home for a year after college, rack up hours during the year, and work a part time job?

cruisecontrol · Post by **cruisecontrol** » Thu May 31, 2007 8:11 pm

When I finsihed my license and I mean everything I got nothing, picking up an hour here or there and after 300 got left seat on a tug throwing bags and managed to get my instructor rating. At 350 got my first interview for another flying postion and was final hired to throw more bags and clean the planes so I was moving up in the world. After 400 from my part time instructing I was finally offered a job on a metro, a week later that company folded! So more instructing until I got right seat on a BE20 at about 750 hrs.

Guys have been talking about a shortage since the mid 90's and there isn't one, there is need for experienced guys but no REAL shortage. I could start a 703 tomorrow and fill the ranks easily if I didn't care about minimums. There is movement but I doubt we'll see the hiring boom like we did in the 80's again.

Wait what was the question.

Barney · Post by **Barney** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:24 am

Why would you throw bags for a yr probably more when you can build
a 1000hrs instructing in the same amount of time and be much more
qualified to fly right seat after.

LostinRotation · Post by **LostinRotation** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 1:12 pm

Barney wrote:Why would you throw bags for a yr probably more when you can build
a 1000hrs instructing in the same amount of time and be much more
qualified to fly right seat after.

He might not have the 6k to get the rating and more importantly, and this is key - Instructing isn't just for putting hours in your logbook....it's not as easy as some may think and you have to have a basic desire to teach...not to mention the skill and patience.

Also....where do you think your going to get 1000 hrs teaching in 1 year ?
I had 2 students for a month until my students started recommending me to their friends. I was also lucky enough to pick up a few people who walked through the door.

-=0=LiR=0=-

jamesinator · Post by **jamesinator** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:52 pm

okay, so what is the quickest way to rack up flight time, without having to work the ramps?

RVR6000 · Post by **RVR6000** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 4:14 pm

jamesinator wrote:okay, so what is the quickest way to rack up flight time, without having to work the ramps?

There is no other way of building quick hours, its either you have a good contact, or you're willing to load cargo for 12 months, or willing to instruct for 2 years.

Mind you this trend will end the day Air Canada and Westjet stop hiring. I remember few years back, people instructing for 3 years to built sufficient hours.