pild04 wrote: ↑Wed Apr 15, 2020 1:34 pm
Big Pistons Forever wrote: ↑Wed Apr 15, 2020 11:30 am
I have had 6 flying jobs over 33 years. I got every job as a result of contacts in the industry that gave me a heads up or recommended me. Who you know is everything in this Industry.
It is going to be very hard for low time pilots to get a flying job for probably several years as there is going to be a glut of experienced pilots looking for work, This is the fourth time in my career that the industry has cratered and it looks worse than any of the other downturns.
My advice is to take any work in related to aviation, ramping, dispatch, parts person, aircraft cleaning, anything. Impress those around you with your attitude and work ethic and talk to people. When something does come up most CP’s would rather hire someone they know or will pass on the name of the guy that works the ramp but is a real go getter.
But let me be clear. It is going to a tough slog unless you are incredibly lucky. You have to want to be a pilot more than anything else and be prepared to push through a lot of disappointment.
Big Pistons Forever, thank you for the advice! I am looking for aviation job opportunities right now.
These are indeed testing times. I'm sure we will all get through this soon.
What BPF said is absolutely correct and not wrong, however I would be an example of the opposite. 13 years in the industry, 4 jobs, each one better than the next and all with ZERO help and ZERO contacts. It can be done with or without help. As long as you have the ambition, drive and work ethic to pursue your goals on your own, you can only be in a better shot by gaining contacts and networking along the way. But do NOT make the mistake of counting on help. It can easily let you down.
Luck, timing, attitude and drive are all big engines in landing you a job you want. I was registering for courses at college when 9/11 happened. I still went thru with it and it sure as hell wasn't easy to get started, but I left the city and banged on doors everywhere. Finally started with a dispatch job up north which led me to a flying job in a town nearby. The rest was history and I was on the up and up. Whatever happens, do not be discouraged and do not give up. If you want it bad enough, and are willing to open yourself up to whatever opportunity you can get, wherever it may be, it'll eventually happen.
Best of luck!
