Just Want to Fly
- Thread starter lae4288
- Start date
drunkenbeagle
Gang Member
FlyDutchman
Well-Known Member
I'm going to say everything everyone always says on these forums:
- Get a CFI - I got my CFII, only have 50 dual given but every employer has commented on my having it in a positive way.
- Get another Job for the time being - My debt is also in the $###,### and then some after flight school and two degrees. Start paying it off any way you can.
- Apply Everywhere - Seems like you have that covered but it is not the only thing you can do. Don't be picky where the job is, just get your name out there.
- Be an Airport Bum - If you just hang out, you get to know people and get rides/ they let you fly-BOOM More flight time! Feels awkward at first but that's how it is making new friends.
- NETWORK - This is where I and you can combine three of these into one. I got a job at an FBO as a line guy. Got to hang out at the airport all day, network, and get paid. This got me 2 flying jobs!!! And did I mention I got PAID while doing it?! Oh yeah I did. You can do the same with your A & P.
- When you get a break, you will have to do some number crunching and soul searching - You don't want to be taken advantage of or be miserable, but if you want to fly it's probably closer to where you want to be in life.
Finally, I will mention something I really don't want to mention and everyone else on this post has been very professional about, but I'm going to go there because it's a true fact of business and how the world is. We are all different. You are a girl. This will open many doors for you and close some. If a company wants to put an older experienced professional man (or a wet behind the ears boy, I'm just going for contrast) in the seat they will, but if they want a pretty girl, then there is your opportunity!
Nobody will really pay attention to a resume and application and see a pretty girl. You have to go to them. I'm not talking airlines or big aviation companies, but corporate flight departments and small mom and pop operations. Knock on their door, tell them you would like to get to know their company, what it's all about, and would be interested in employment in the future. Put a face to the name. (NOTE: This works for guys and girls but they won't really register you are a girl via a piece of paper with a name and hours.) Being a girl makes you different and unique in a primarily male dominated field. Use it to your advantage but the key is you have to make sure they know you are different and unique.
I have a friend who flight instructed for less than a year after college, networked and landed a job as an SIC in a King Air because she is beautiful AND a very capable pilot. A year after that the company ditched the King Air and picked up a nice business jet which they PIC typed her in.
If you can't go there in person, do some research and give them a call.
I know all of this is easier said than done but nobody including yourself is expecting it to be easy.
Good Luck!
- Get a CFI - I got my CFII, only have 50 dual given but every employer has commented on my having it in a positive way.
- Get another Job for the time being - My debt is also in the $###,### and then some after flight school and two degrees. Start paying it off any way you can.
- Apply Everywhere - Seems like you have that covered but it is not the only thing you can do. Don't be picky where the job is, just get your name out there.
- Be an Airport Bum - If you just hang out, you get to know people and get rides/ they let you fly-BOOM More flight time! Feels awkward at first but that's how it is making new friends.
- NETWORK - This is where I and you can combine three of these into one. I got a job at an FBO as a line guy. Got to hang out at the airport all day, network, and get paid. This got me 2 flying jobs!!! And did I mention I got PAID while doing it?! Oh yeah I did. You can do the same with your A & P.
- When you get a break, you will have to do some number crunching and soul searching - You don't want to be taken advantage of or be miserable, but if you want to fly it's probably closer to where you want to be in life.
Finally, I will mention something I really don't want to mention and everyone else on this post has been very professional about, but I'm going to go there because it's a true fact of business and how the world is. We are all different. You are a girl. This will open many doors for you and close some. If a company wants to put an older experienced professional man (or a wet behind the ears boy, I'm just going for contrast) in the seat they will, but if they want a pretty girl, then there is your opportunity!
Nobody will really pay attention to a resume and application and see a pretty girl. You have to go to them. I'm not talking airlines or big aviation companies, but corporate flight departments and small mom and pop operations. Knock on their door, tell them you would like to get to know their company, what it's all about, and would be interested in employment in the future. Put a face to the name. (NOTE: This works for guys and girls but they won't really register you are a girl via a piece of paper with a name and hours.) Being a girl makes you different and unique in a primarily male dominated field. Use it to your advantage but the key is you have to make sure they know you are different and unique.
I have a friend who flight instructed for less than a year after college, networked and landed a job as an SIC in a King Air because she is beautiful AND a very capable pilot. A year after that the company ditched the King Air and picked up a nice business jet which they PIC typed her in.
If you can't go there in person, do some research and give them a call.
I know all of this is easier said than done but nobody including yourself is expecting it to be easy.
Good Luck!
z987k
Well-Known Member
swisspilot
Well-Known Member
Getting there will cost you as much as getting a CFI...unfortunately
lae4288
Well-Known Member
Ash Williams
Well-Known Member
Am I being punked right now? Are you for real? Where's Ashton Kutcher? There is so much good advice in the last three pages, it should be a sticky!
I hate to break it to you but... sounds like your gonna have to get a job to pay for something you want. It's a crazy world we live in, eh?
Cloud Surfer
All Roads lead to Trantor
Research this company called Dynamic Aviation. They hire low-time pilots with 500 hours total time, but if their need is great, they could make an exception for you, seeing that you have an A&P license. They are not hiring now, but I check this page rather often, and they post openings for that position several times a year because of a high turnover rate. At the very least send them your resume and make your name known to them--they keep them on file for future reference.
lae4288
Well-Known Member
No need to be a smart ass.
I came to this site looking for something I didn't already know I guess.. I'm not stupid
Everyone keeps saying get a CFI, get a CFI... but I CAN'T - with rent, water, electric, phone, gas, food to pay for and a $1500 a month student loan payment for the education and ratings I do have, it isn't possible. So keep your snide remarks to yourself. I'm looking for advice, not your immature comments.
lae4288
Well-Known Member
Thanks - I've applied and been in contact with HR.. they wont be hiring until January they say... I know of one kid who got hired with 299TT doing the Sterile Insect Technique op they have in Tampa.. pretty awesome to fly the KingAir with that amount of time!
Boris Badenov
Fortis Leader
You mean "pretty awesome to get paid well to fly", right?
Ash Williams
Well-Known Member
I gave you advice one page two which you thanked me for. I even spent a bit of my time sharing my story which is almost identical to yours, showing you that it IS possible. It's just not easy.
If you keep telling us all how you "can't because ______." We'll then, I guess you're right. You can't.
No hard feelings btw. From one Pilot/A&P to another- good luck to you.
FlyDutchman
Well-Known Member
Yeah. I know plenty who have made it without a CFI. I just tried to compile the most common responses on here to one post and gave my input.
I agree with what @Ash Williams is saying and I don't think he is trying to be mean. You keep telling everyone you can't get a CFI. Nobody is telling you to get a CFI right now. Nobody is saying that any of the advice or job leads are going to work for you now. Nobody is telling you that you have to follow every single thing they have said. We are simply sharing common ways to get your big break and sharing stories in how we did it.
You notice how very few people have posted actual job links on here. That's because you qualify for so few that it is hard to just throw jobs in your lap, and the ones they have posted, you already know about. Everyone can tell you've done your research, now we are just trying to give you little tips and encourage your dream.
Good luck again! From what I can tell you are motivated and going to make it, just take all suggestions into consideration, if not now, later in your career.