Networking question

A

Andy5466

Well-Known Member
So I just landed a job at a fairly busy FBO and I have my private and am a few months away from getting my instrument. I got the job so I could network and make connections any way I was just wondering how it is that you go about making these connections I talk to pretty much every pilot that comes in and I have gotten a few phone numbers but until I get my comercial what advice do yal have for me? And don't get me wrong I am very sociable and speak but sometimes I don't know what to say besides introducing my self and saying I am a private pilot what advice do yay have... Any way any tips would be nice.

Andy
 
Andy5466 said:
So I just landed a job at a fairly busy FBO and I have my private and am a few months away from getting my instrument.
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Congrats.

I got the job so I could network and make connections any way I was just wondering how it is that you go about making these connections I talk to pretty much every pilot that comes in and I have gotten a few phone numbers but until I get my commercial what advice do yal have for me? And don't get me wrong I am very sociable and speak but sometimes I don't know what to say besides introducing my self and saying I am a private pilot what advice do yay have... Any way any tips would be nice.

Andy
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Best thing I have to tell you is just be yourself when around these pilots and let them get to know the real you. Also, ask questions and let others do the talking.

Good luck! I am sure it will lead to some great opportunities!
 
When you talk to the pilots, tell them you're very interested in flyng professionally. Ask them to show you their aircraft and listen when they talk. Don't add your "vast knowledge" to the conversation or compare your aircraft to theirs. ALL pilots like to talk aviation, especially if they think they are telling you something you don't know. You can learn a lot just by listening.

If THEY happen to ask if you're a pilot, tell them. DON'T start the conversation with "I'm a pilot......"

On a different note: If asked to submit a resume', take time to review it for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You don't want your resume' to look like your post!
 
dustoff17 said:
When you talk to the pilots, tell them you're very interested in flyng professionally. Ask them to show you their aircraft and listen when they talk. Don't add your "vast knowledge" to the conversation or compare your aircraft to theirs. ALL pilots like to talk aviation, especially if they think they are telling you something you don't know. You can learn a lot just by listening.

If THEY happen to ask if you're a pilot, tell them. DON'T start the conversation with "I'm a pilot......"

On a different note: If asked to submit a resume', take time to review it for correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. You don't want your resume' to look like your post!
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Good advice here as well!
 
A few of the freight guys I have talked to have Been very willing to talk they pretty much just tell me how they got where they are today... Any way I like the job so far.
 
Here's what I tell the young guys working for me: the best job you can have is the one you have right now.

Be the best FBO / line-guy you can be. Figure out what your pilots and their customers need before they ask you. Be the guy where pilots think "This turn is going great! That guy takes care of us every time."

Do that, and eventually someone will think "We need a self-starter like that guy."
 
Seggy said:
Congrats.



Best thing I have to tell you is just be yourself when around these pilots and let them get to know the real you. Also, ask questions and let others do the talking.

Good luck! I am sure it will lead to some great opportunities!
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Chewie nailed it. You don't make "networking connections", you make friends who will want help you out later.
 
The fact that you're already talking to people who walk in is more than many do. Good advice here, and like others have said, come off as professional and courteous. Most of us who have worked line in the past, and are now flying know that many of the guys working line are pilots and trying to make connections.

hook dupin nailed it when he said be the best line guy you can be. If I pull in with customers, have a tight turn and need help, don't make me go looking for you. It really does irritate the heck out of me when I pull into an empty ramp, and I can see a couple line guys BSin in the distance while I'm now looking for chocks and assisting my passengers. Be at the ready for the airplane. Getting bags or opening doors for the pax is important. Little things will get you noticed.

When I worked line service I used to ALWAYS ask the crew for their trash bags, and you wouldn't believe how many times pilots would look shocked and tell me that line guys never took their trash for them. Now that I'm on the other side of it, I know what they meant. I've put trash bags on the bottom of the stairs, gone inside to pay bills, and come out 10 minutes later and the bag is still there. It sounds silly but it does make a difference.
 
Andy5466 said:
Yea my grammar could use some work! And I see I find that some really want to tAlk about it and
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Don't want you to think I was busting your chops; I'm just giving you straight forward advice. There will be times when your resume' is the ONLY introduction you'll get....or need; depending on how you present yourself.
 
dustoff17 said:
Don't want you to think I was busting your chops; I'm just giving you straight forward advice. There will be times when your resume' is the ONLY introduction you'll get....or need; depending on how you present yourself.
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No worries. And I assume the networking and making contacts is not only for the corporate side not sure where you personally are now but for the airlines I am sure it is useful too?
 
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