Person Vs type rating

[Willy Miller]

Here goes...............

Looking around for prospective employers at the moment it seems that unless you have a type rating they’re really not interested. Does this mean I just need to send a copy of it to the interviews instead of going in person? I understand the financial savings involved but shouldn’t the aviation industry be more interested in the people they employ rather than just they’re qualifications. Type rate someone treat them like adults, reward them fairly and surely you’ll keep your staff. Or am I being a bit naive?

Is the aviation world the only the industry that would rather save £20k and not worry about retention of staff. Does this strike anyone else as short sighted?
Just a thought………………….

[Viscount Sussex]

So, what have you got to offer that a qualified (type rated) pilot hasn't got, that would make you so special? Golden....ba..s...golden bars?
Look mate, there are still out there people that have type ratings and hours on type. I know... you are smart and loyal. That's the difference. Managers in the airline industry haven't got a clue. They've got it all wrong. You go and tell them.
Good luck.
:ok:

[Willy Miller]

Didn't mean to upset anyone, I understand your point of view, it seems that the airlines wont know what people have to offer if they're only interested in the TR. And yes I have the latter not the former (I hear they get cold in winter)

[Nineiron]

It seems as though in average aviation career one has to change type rating four or five times as airlines re-equip the fleets.
Management will lie through their teeth about 'internal promotions', 'upgrades', etc when they change fleet. It often results in trading a command position for a right seat on a new aircraft. The excuse that they have to initially employ rated crews to establish the operation is also often grossly exagerrated.
The beancounters have decreed that training is an unnecessary expense when it is easier to poach type rated crews from other companies.

[df1]

Will,

If it apparently the case that a type rating is prerequisite then I'd say your only option is to go ahead and invest in one.

To say that airline recruiting policy is less intersted in the individual is incorrect in fact it is quite the opposite Will. They are interested in you for what you have in terms of experience and qualification. I understand what you are trying to say but the day's when they'd take a someone with a PPL and pay for their training right through to right seat are gone (1980's?) - unless you're are lucky enough to get a sponsorship.

Over the years the individual has had to self-fund the cost of his training to increasingly advanced levels. Surely, the TR is an extension to this, albeit an ultimate one. Airlines look for plug-and-play staff as a matter of cost. So, I say with a very stout heart that "this is business". Wherever you work, whatever your industry, you'll always be up against more qualified more experienced candidates for a job, the market finds it's level and you have to accept that. I do know folks who have not met prerequisites but have been offered employment, however. These are probably exceptional circimstances.

It might change! There may be a "shortage" of suitably qualified/experienced pilots in which case the "market" will dictate that those requirements be relaxed.

I'm no expert (but I've had my eye on the training scene since the late 80's) but it's a gamble either way - wait for a possible relaxation in entry requirements or beg/borrow/steal £20K and go for it!

Either way Good Luck!!

[Airbus Girl]

At the moment there are still enough people with type ratings for the airlines to choose from. It makes it cheaper and quicker for the airline to get you online. When the choice of type-rated pilots runs low then airlines will look for good people without the type-ratings. Having a type rating with no hours is usually the same as having no type rating, although I think Ryanair will expect you to have a type rating AND pay for those hours "gaining experience". But I haven't heard of any other airline wanting bare type ratings.