Any turbine operators out there prefer an individual with both qualifications and substantive experience? I know there are a lot of recip outfits in AK that like to see both, and I know that some long-range corporate operations carry a mechanic, but I'm interested in the utility of a "dual-rated" individual.
Just trying to feed my curiosity. Thanks guys!
J.
I don't have an ATP (yet, should get off my duff & knock it out), but I am a commercial pilot with an A&P. I have worked as a pilot. I have worked as a mechanic. But, I have never worked at the same time in the same place as both.
The A&P has got my foot in the door before, however once hired my foot would seem to get stuck in the hangar door. Nothing is worse for a pilot/mechanic than to spend many hours pouring blood, sweat, & tears turning wrenches on an airplane, especially one you are qualified to fly, just to roll it out of the hangar & watch a couple of other pilots fly off with it. I have been told by upper management that "Good mechanics are hard to come by, and pilots are a dime a dozen."
On the flip-side, being dual rated has hindered me from being hired as a mechanic. Several times I have been told by a Director of Maintenance that "I don't hire guys with a pilot's license." The reason is always the same, because mechanics that are also pilots will leave the first chance they get to go fly. I can dig that, mostly because it's pretty much true.
I would love to work at a place where I can be a pilot and a mechanic. I've been to Alaska (just got back in fact). I love recips, especially round engines. I would prefer to get my hands dirty on something burning avgas than something burning kerosene any day. Yet so far, most of my aviation experience has been "segregated"; places where pilots are pilots, and mechanics are mechanics.
Just my experience, perhaps others have had better luck than I in making the "dual-rated" career work!
