Good News, Bad News

Propilot

Propilot

Well-Known Member
Good News: Hired by Ameriflight (well, invited to attend BIGS at least)

Bad News: Im poor.


So, yea, I was successful during my interview and was invited to attend BIGS....but am very worried about being able survive my first month.

I have 1500.00 in cash and about the same in availible credit. I am to be based in Oakland.

Also, they didnt say this in the interview but ive heard that you must pay for your own charts. Thats like what, 500 dollars?

So that leaves 1000.00

Minus cost of moving. Fuel alone will be about 280.00. Thats if nothing breaks on my POS ford ranger.

So that leaves 720.

Got to eat. Assuming first paycheck doesnt come for 2 weeks after passing BIGS, so probably at least 100 for those 2 weeks if I live on ramen noodles

That leaves 620.

That would bring me to about the end of January, where I would need first months rent, security deposit....in Oakland.....figure at least 1000.00

That leaves 380...in the red. Assuming nothing goes wrong, and I dont break down.

Also

The cost of living calculator says that if I were to make 20,000 per year in Akron Ohio (where I currently live), that i would need 47,000 in Oakland to have a comparible standard of living. Starting in the chieftan I will make what...20 grand?



So, just looking for some words of wisdom on how I should go about this. I have 300/month in credit card payments (I had to put tuition on my credit cards). Those are paid though through Feb 1.

Parents can not help.





Sorry, dont mean to whine but I know some/most of you have been in similar situations...how did you get through it?
 
Talk with Rodney, try to get a base change to Burbank (give them a sob story), move in with your brother....profit.
 
Holy •!, lol do you live on this forum?! I pressed refresh after hitting submit and your reply was already there...

That is amazing ;]



Hrmm interesting idea. I dont know, all I did before was ask about going straight into the BE99 and it wasnt taken well.....I dont want to start out on anyones bad side by whining from day 1.



Maybe I can sell some of Austins stuff that he left here ;]
 
I cant say much other then I will be in your shoes very soon :(

but somehow we always make it through... stick it to the ramen noodles and dont go out of your house (wherever you will stay)

perhaps look for some used charts from ebay?

or perhaps leave moving until later? can you leave your stuff at your current place at least until you get a paycheck?
 
For sure.

Propilot said:
Holy •!, lol do you live on this forum?! I pressed refresh after hitting submit and your reply was already there...

That is amazing ;]



Hrmm interesting idea. I dont know, all I did before was ask about going straight into the BE99 and it wasnt taken well.....I dont want to start out on anyones bad side by whining from day 1.



Maybe I can sell some of Austins stuff that he left here ;]
Click to expand...
 
heres how I did it. I only paid to go out to BUR once. Interviewed friday, and they put me up in a hotel until class on monday. Call the ramada NOW and reserve a mini fridge. There is a grocery store nearby so stock up on food and dont eat out at lunch. Your jepps will around $300 if I remember right. Then instead of going right into a base I volunteered for tdy for two months and racked up per diem and had ZERO rent expenses. It wasnt all that bad...good times.


Other tips:
-sell your plasma on the weekends
-BUR is the porn capital of the country, so give it at least a try
-Dont go to OAK


.....and guess what? even after a year at AMF you'll still be broke!
 
taseal said:
I cant say much other then I will be in your shoes very soon :(

but somehow we always make it through... stick it to the ramen noodles and dont go out of your house (wherever you will stay)

perhaps look for some used charts from ebay?

or perhaps leave moving until later? can you leave your stuff at your current place at least until you get a paycheck?
Click to expand...



The charts need to be current...so not sure how buying used ones would work. Maybe a pilot who is leaving the company would sell me his or hers.

I thought about just flying out there. would cost about 200 dollars.


Ive never lived without a car, not sure how that would work....

Maybe I can live in a tent. Are there any mobile home parks/campgrounds in Oakland....doubt it ;]
 
I think Hootie has the best idea here. If you can get on system TDY for a month or two and crash at your bro's place when your not out working you'd be in some good shape.
 
Hootie9750 said:
heres how I did it. I only paid to go out to BUR once. Interviewed friday, and they put me up in a hotel until class on monday. Call the ramada NOW and reserve a mini fridge. There is a grocery store nearby so stock up on food and dont eat out at lunch. Your jepps will around $300 if I remember right. Then instead of going right into a base I volunteered for tdy for two months and racked up per diem and had ZERO rent expenses. It wasnt all that bad...good times.


Other tips:
-sell your plasma on the weekends
-BUR is the porn capital of the country, so give it at least a try
-Dont go to OAK


.....and guess what? even after a year at AMF you'll still be broke!
Click to expand...




About the other tips...

I saw on craigslist in OAK that you can sell your sperm for $. Not sure about the bone thing, that sounds rough.

As far as the porn goes....people would probably pay for me to keep my clothes on....;]

Interesting....the interviewer made it very clear that my interview is for a posistion based in OAK.... is it pretty easy to be allowed to TDY? I mean, can I, for the most part, count on being able to do that?
 
You can't count on anything here, ever. You could well finish Chieftain training, do one revenue flight and end up in the 99. Then you could be online with that aircraft for a week and then be put in Metro school.

No #### it happened to a guy in Burbank that came in with some previous turbine time.
 
Best of luck man! Hope you figure it all out shortly. That class date is going to come before you know it. But enjoy the holidays and get it all figured out after you have time to enjoy the holiday with the family and friends.
 
Might sound a little extreme, but you could sleep in your truck. If you have a topper on it, throw a mattress back there with some blankets and you'll be camping out, poverty style.

I drive a GMC 3/4 ton truck with a topper, and I haven't exactly ruled out this idea when it comes time for me to temporarily "relocate". I have camped/hunted out of my truck in the past and it isn't as bad as it sounds.

Down side is you will never get laid while doing it.
 
timeoff said:
Might sound a little extreme, but you could sleep in your truck. If you have a topper on it, throw a mattress back there with some blankets and you'll be camping out, poverty style.

I drive a GMC 3/4 ton truck with a topper, and I haven't exactly ruled out this idea when it comes time for me to temporarily "relocate". I have camped/hunted out of my truck in the past and it isn't as bad as it sounds.

Down side is you will never get laid while doing it.
Click to expand...

BTDT. I slept in the back of my Jeep when I was on reserve in the regionals. You may also want to check the local hotels. I was able to work PT around the hotel in exchange for free rooms..It came in handy when it was too cold to sleep in my Jeep.

Another option might be a local campground. Throw up a tent and at least you will have facilities and a shower...

I know it sucks.... Good Luck. You will make it through
 
Proppilot,
Let me save you the anguish and pain by saying stay in Ohio! It is hard to make it thru with what you are going to be making at Ameri in the Bayarea. Unless, you have someone you are staying with. I don't think fligt instructing will be possible when you are hoping around all night in beautiful Central Valley of California. Like soneone menioned above, even after two or three years- you will still be broke! Take my advice- stay in Ohio build your time and look for a reliable Regional carrier.
 
Good call, the majors are looking for quality SIC regional jet time these days! That's thinking ahead for ya!

n77j said:
Proppilot,
Let me save you the anguish and pain by saying stay in Ohio! It is hard to make it thru with what you are going to be making at Ameri in the Bayarea. Unless, you have someone you are staying with. I don't think fligt instructing will be possible when you are hoping around all night in beautiful Central Valley of California. Like soneone menioned above, even after two or three years- you will still be broke! Take my advice- stay in Ohio build your time and look for a reliable Regional carrier.
Click to expand...
 
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