Can't argue that, but I do believe that they are going to pay you to work the ramp. Probably comparable to what the Safeway or HMV are willing to pay you. Assuming one has to work to survive (can't sponge off Dad & Mom), and you (or Dad & Mom) have forked out a pretty penny on getting licensed, would it be better to:
a) put produce (lettuce/tomatoes/etc...) on a shelf for $12/hr.
b) bust your tail fueling/grooming/towing/etc...airplanes for $12/hr WHILE getting your foot in the door.
Don't go there with the assumption you are promised a flying job! Go for A job! Keep up the good attitude and work hard and never stop applying for direct entry flying positions elsewhere!
I've both instructed and worked the ramp/dock, two of them at the same time, and I don't think any of them is better or worse than any other. I understand that most pilots want to get flying as soon as possible, and see ramp work as being an unnecessary detour, but sometimes there aren't direct-entry jobs available. If an airline doesn't have any openings for pilots, but they're willing to let some 200-hour wonders work for them in other capacities until something opens up, for a competitive wage of course, I have no issue with that. When I started working my ramp and dock jobs I had no anticipation of them leading to flying jobs; they were just for paying the bills, and I treated them as I would any other form of employment. However, my major issue with "slave labour" arose when one company in particular, after having told me that my job wouldn't lead to a flying position, then informed me that if I wanted any chance of flying for them I would have to work twice as hard, for twice as long, with no extra pay. In other words, they wanted me to demonstrate that I was worthy of even being considered for a right seat, with no promises made, by giving them ridiculous amounts of unpaid work by "volunteering" for it. The non-pilots working the same job made 50% more than the pilots because they had no concerns about speaking up and rocking the boat. I don't take issue with hiring pilots and putting them on a waiting list, but if you're going to make them do extra work by telling them that they need to prove their value without taking extra pay, that's where I draw the line.
There's nothing wrong with working the ramp, as pointed out by many. I did it myself while looking for a direct flying position, and one came up eventually. I was paid the same hourly rate as the non pilots and not expected to prove myself"volunteer" other than the usual work hard. This is not the same a signing a bond, it's the equivilant of the executive who started out in the mailroom. If there are no flying jobs out there, this is the best available means of getting you in the seat, down the road. Keep your eyes open and ears to the ground and don't let them abuse you. If they do, it won't stop once your on the line, so get out at that point.
There were a few that got screwed over the years but they screwed themselves by exhibiting a poor attitude and work ethic.
I visit this site a lot but rarely reply to what people say on here, but I had to respond to this comment. You can’t say that just because someone didn’t get promoted from the ramp to the right seat they therefore must have a bad attitude. That is a very unfair stereotype; I used to work with a lot of guys with great attitudes that worked hard on the ramp hoping to one day get promoted. Not only did they not get promoted but they also got laid off from their ramp job when the economy went in the toilet.
Working the ramp can be a good way to gain experience, but not everyone is in the right place at the right time to get promoted to a flying position. There are a number of operators out there who are notorious for paying their staff substantially less than they should only because they know they can get away with it because the employee is a low time pilot. Yes you can always quit, but you will just be replaced by another wannabe pilot who will work for peanuts. I think this is what Doc was trying to point out and I for one appreciate someone with more experience like Doc sticking up for this industry and the less experienced pilots.
I'd appreciate not being quoted out of context. I was only referring to those that I have met and worked with.
fingersmac wrote:And I haven't. I've met and worked with many that have made their way from the ramp to the flight line. There were a few that got screwed over the years but they screwed themselves by exhibiting a poor attitude and work ethic.
