Pilot in Waiting

[Illya Kuryakin]

Seriously? With the number of pilot wanted ads on this sight alone, somebody still has it in their pea like minds, they can find morons willing to get sucked into this crap?
WTF?
Illya

[FishermanIvan]

I don't see many ads willing to put 200 hour guys in the pilot's seat yet.

[CZBBYYZPilot]

Try Calm Air, they're hiring ATR Fos. The posting says the minimum is 250 hrs...

[jp7500]

1.5-2yrs wait on the ground working for Ledcor. Spoke with there HR rep this week.

[Black_Tusk]

Go do some digging and look for smaller operators. When places are advertising for 750 hour Ho captains, good chance is they'll also hire low time FOs. I know 3 200 hour pilots to get a full time multi IFR gigs in the last two months.... knock down some doors.

[Illya Kuryakin]

I don't see many ads willing to put 200 hour guys in the pilot's seat yet.

You're worth what you think you're worth. After 2 years on the ramp, how many hours will you have?
TWO HUNDRED! Do the math. I know it's tough.
Illya

[DanWEC]

Instead of spending 2 years trying to prove yourself in a horrible ramp job, spend much less time and a bit of money by proving you have some ambition and common sense- take a trip, maybe several of them over a few months, and visit each operator, especially the ones that people would never go to because they're remote. Demonstrate initiative. Help out for an hour or two, ask for a tour and talk airplane stuff.
Work smarter, not harder.

[FishermanIvan]

I don't see many ads willing to put 200 hour guys in the pilot's seat yet.

You're worth what you think you're worth. After 2 years on the ramp, how many hours will you have?
TWO HUNDRED! Do the math. I know it's tough.
Illya

Oh I'm not disagreeing with you haha. But I'd work a dock for six weeks if it got me flying by July.

[Black_Tusk]

See, but that's realistic for a float gig. You'll probably by that time have gone to the camps as a swamper and know the route, know the operation, how they like the planes docked and dock organized, how to properly load, end and beginning of day duties etc.. 2 years on a ramp hucking bags to get a right seat IFR job is wasting your life away.

[JBI]

While Illya/doc has repeated this post a number of times in the 18 or so years that I've checked out these forums, I finally do agree with him at this time.

When I started on the ramp in 2001, the industry was already slowing down and then with 9/11 it was tough. I moved up faster than most of my classmates despite being on the ramp for 1 1/2 years. Once I was flying I progressed much quicker than those who had gotten an instructing job or flying survey or skydivers (even those who had been flying since 'day 1').

The supply/demand was simply not there for 212 hour pilots with a bare CPL and MIFR. Working the ramp made the most sense as I did not have the connections in the industry in the north and didn't have the money for an instructor rating.

I have NEVER seen the industry doing so well for demand for pilots as I have now. This doesn't mean that every 200 hour wonder will walk in to a job, but it does change the dynamic of things. When the industry was not doing well, did it make sense to spend a year or two on the ramp? Maybe. Does it now? I don't think so.

The time to work the ramp at a company is when you are working on your licences. If you happen to have something lined up when you're done, that's great. If you don't - then consider instructing. In my opinion, NOW is the time to be getting hours, not loading bags.

[Braaaap]

As a 200 hour wonder about to enter the work force, I'm looking for any sort of tidbit or piece of advice anyone is willing to throw my way. I like the adventurous challenge that's ahead! If anyone has any leads on where to go I'd love to go chase them down.

Cheers!

[FOD_Vacuum]

Currently, it is still a market for us pilots with some experience aka 1000+ hrs. With this in mind, the 200 hour wonders are well situated in terms of acquiring the ground job and jumping up to flight line in a quick manner due to quick upgrades currently happening in the industry. In the last year and a half, the turn around rate for our dispatchers-to flight line guys has been 4-6 months. Yes, operators are upgrading FOs and captains with less hourly experience than 3-4 years ago, but we still value "safety" as a #1 thing. If the current eligible candidate for upgrade is not ready, they will know and act accordingly and hire from outside.

It is a great time to be a fresh commercially rated pilot because, if you do your research, and yes I am talking on behalf of Illya, you will find that job that leads to a direct flying job (or will pretty quick if you take a ground spot).

Be smart about your application and move to a company that has a good reputation and treats pilots with respect and dignity. That is for new and less than 1000 TT pilots. These companies do exist-you just have to use your connections to find them

[shimmydampner]

While Illya/doc has repeated this post a number of times in the 18 or so years that I've checked out these forums, I finally do agree with him at this time.
........
The supply/demand was simply not there for 212 hour pilots with a bare CPL and MIFR. Working the ramp made the most sense
...........
I have NEVER seen the industry doing so well for demand for pilots as I have now. This doesn't mean that every 200 hour wonder will walk in to a job, but it does change the dynamic of things. When the industry was not doing well, did it make sense to spend a year or two on the ramp? Maybe. Does it now? I don't think so.

Big +1.
It used to get very tiresome over the years hearing it every few months from Doc and then Ilya, but even a broken clock is right twice a day and that time is now. There appears to be many flying jobs to be had out there, and very little reason or excuse to work ramp. Sadly though, I don't think there will be a shortage of newbies to fill the ramp spots. Most would rather spend two years on a ramp waiting for a right seat 705 job than spend that time getting PIC time on a Cessna.

[Braaaap]

Currently, it is still a market for us pilots with some experience aka 1000+ hrs. With this in mind, the 200 hour wonders are well situated in terms of acquiring the ground job and jumping up to flight line in a quick manner due to quick upgrades currently happening in the industry. In the last year and a half, the turn around rate for our dispatchers-to flight line guys has been 4-6 months. Yes, operators are upgrading FOs and captains with less hourly experience than 3-4 years ago, but we still value "safety" as a #1 thing. If the current eligible candidate for upgrade is not ready, they will know and act accordingly and hire from outside.

It is a great time to be a fresh commercially rated pilot because, if you do your research, and yes I am talking on behalf of Illya, you will find that job that leads to a direct flying job (or will pretty quick if you take a ground spot).

Be smart about your application and move to a company that has a good reputation and treats pilots with respect and dignity. That is for new and less than 1000 TT pilots. These companies do exist-you just have to use your connections to find them

Thanks for the advice. I agree I've found myself in a fortunate time in the history of aviation.

[jpilot77]

Another thing to consider is what happens if while you are working the ramp the economy takes a dive and there is no more movement. Your planned 1.5 years on the ramp might turn into longer and you'll be at the same 200 hours.