Is it time to give up?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: out there
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is it time to give up?
Hi Guys & Gals
At the age of 41 with 2900hrs 450 multi and a lapsed 737 type rating,and no job. do any of you out there think its worth me contiuing trying to get that illusive airline job. Any good advice would be welcome.
At the age of 41 with 2900hrs 450 multi and a lapsed 737 type rating,and no job. do any of you out there think its worth me contiuing trying to get that illusive airline job. Any good advice would be welcome.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Age: 45
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you give up then it will never happen. If you keep trying/working then it may.
At the very least you still have 14 years, more likely 19 years left of flying in you which is still a fair time.
You have proven that you can pass a type rating course, did you pay for it yourself?
If you still really want it go for it
S
At the very least you still have 14 years, more likely 19 years left of flying in you which is still a fair time.
You have proven that you can pass a type rating course, did you pay for it yourself?
If you still really want it go for it
S
Terrier
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: moonbase alpha
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Deza
Don't give up now. An easy time to give up would have been Sept 12th 2001, when we all thought it was the end of aviation.
The business is slowly recovering, and you may find that jobs are available more freely soon.
As for time left... well, if you join BA you may only have 14 years left. 19 in anywhere else, but really in a few years we will all be working till 65, so you have 24 years left.
Enough time to be p1ssed off about the job I think you will agree...
My advice, plod on, but drop the plan for a 737 straight away. Look for a turbo job, or perhaps some instructing? Start small and get big
.
Don't give up now. An easy time to give up would have been Sept 12th 2001, when we all thought it was the end of aviation.
The business is slowly recovering, and you may find that jobs are available more freely soon.
As for time left... well, if you join BA you may only have 14 years left. 19 in anywhere else, but really in a few years we will all be working till 65, so you have 24 years left.
Enough time to be p1ssed off about the job I think you will agree...
My advice, plod on, but drop the plan for a 737 straight away. Look for a turbo job, or perhaps some instructing? Start small and get big
.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Midlands, UK
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Deza,
I sit here and read your post and my heart sinks even further. Not wanting to hijack your post but I feel the same but from the other extreme of the industry.
I have always wanted to be a pilot but in the beginning it was a dream that I attempted to turn to reality in 1998 ....... final interviews with various sponsorships, a PPL, Night Qualification, building hours, etc.etc. This Wannabes forum was awash with opportunities to the point where you could almost take your pick. The possibility of getting sponsorship was always going to be tough but the opportunity was there!
Now the grand old age of 26 (i'm joking don't worry) having applied to CTC and getting nowhere, it would appear the only door left open to the job I again can only dream of is the self funded route. But seriously, in the current state on the industry, do I really want to get myself into serious debt to fund my ambition with the prospect of getting a job as bleak as ever.
My point is, as I read your post and think I would love to be in your position because you have done the legwork I am so afraid of. My tales of woe are not without a solution though .... those who've read any of my previous posts will realise I don't give up that easily; I plan to buy a house and rent it out whilst living with my girlfriend and raise some capital that way. Then sit here and watch the industry ....... but i never planned for that.
I think my current stance on the situation is a sensible one but it has to be said, i've been stood there with the towel about to throw it in the ring on several occasions and believe me when I say I do not want to do it.
Auto.
I sit here and read your post and my heart sinks even further. Not wanting to hijack your post but I feel the same but from the other extreme of the industry.
I have always wanted to be a pilot but in the beginning it was a dream that I attempted to turn to reality in 1998 ....... final interviews with various sponsorships, a PPL, Night Qualification, building hours, etc.etc. This Wannabes forum was awash with opportunities to the point where you could almost take your pick. The possibility of getting sponsorship was always going to be tough but the opportunity was there!
Now the grand old age of 26 (i'm joking don't worry) having applied to CTC and getting nowhere, it would appear the only door left open to the job I again can only dream of is the self funded route. But seriously, in the current state on the industry, do I really want to get myself into serious debt to fund my ambition with the prospect of getting a job as bleak as ever.
My point is, as I read your post and think I would love to be in your position because you have done the legwork I am so afraid of. My tales of woe are not without a solution though .... those who've read any of my previous posts will realise I don't give up that easily; I plan to buy a house and rent it out whilst living with my girlfriend and raise some capital that way. Then sit here and watch the industry ....... but i never planned for that.
I think my current stance on the situation is a sensible one but it has to be said, i've been stood there with the towel about to throw it in the ring on several occasions and believe me when I say I do not want to do it.
Auto.
Join Date: Oct 1998
Location: West Wales
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Autofly,
What you need to ask yourself is, do you still want a crack at doing what is still, warts and all, the best job in the world?
In my experience, people who want to fly want it so badly that they are prepared to take the career and financial risks to get there. Remember that the last twenty years have shown that the pilot requirement graph flips over from famine to feast fairly quickly. You have youth on your side, so if you make the grade you will fly an airliner eventually.
Very best of luck to you and all those similarly placed.
What you need to ask yourself is, do you still want a crack at doing what is still, warts and all, the best job in the world?
In my experience, people who want to fly want it so badly that they are prepared to take the career and financial risks to get there. Remember that the last twenty years have shown that the pilot requirement graph flips over from famine to feast fairly quickly. You have youth on your side, so if you make the grade you will fly an airliner eventually.
Very best of luck to you and all those similarly placed.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: sector 001
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step.
DEZA: ever thought about instructing. Get current, and with your previous experience you will have a lot to offer.
AUTOFLY: From PPL, go modular route, and don't break the bank.
Choose your professional FTO with care. Ask around before deciding. The cheapest options is not always the best long term.
Good luck.
DEZA: ever thought about instructing. Get current, and with your previous experience you will have a lot to offer.
AUTOFLY: From PPL, go modular route, and don't break the bank.
Choose your professional FTO with care. Ask around before deciding. The cheapest options is not always the best long term.
Good luck.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Midlands, UK
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the responses ......
Pirate - the answer is a definate yes. I've looked at the past 20 years and the market has gone up and down faster than a hyperactive kid on a bouncy castle. I guess this low was dragging me down with it.
ecj - thats the route i've looked at but I won't go asking anyone to recommend an FTO, that can go on a seperate post nearer the time. It has to be said, i've started visiting a few schools.
126.9 - I don't think I need to repond to your addition, everyone who reads it is thinking the same as me!
Thanks again all for the gee up, I needed it. Good old PPRuNe!
AF
Pirate - the answer is a definate yes. I've looked at the past 20 years and the market has gone up and down faster than a hyperactive kid on a bouncy castle. I guess this low was dragging me down with it.
ecj - thats the route i've looked at but I won't go asking anyone to recommend an FTO, that can go on a seperate post nearer the time. It has to be said, i've started visiting a few schools.
126.9 - I don't think I need to repond to your addition, everyone who reads it is thinking the same as me!
Thanks again all for the gee up, I needed it. Good old PPRuNe!
AF
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: UK
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't give up - ever
Autofly,
Great response to 126 blah, he should learn that if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
Are you getting any interviews, is your CV getting through the first rung. If not, maybe you should consider getting further help from www.pittraining.co.uk or www.pilotinterviews.co.uk. I know a few people who have attended these courses and have benefited greatly.
In any event, it was never gonna be easy, but keep your ear to the ground, make sure you are net-working and I'm sure you are doing all of those things but the first job is the hardest to get. After that it is a breeze, believe me.
Good luck Autofly
Regards
Bovey
Great response to 126 blah, he should learn that if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
Are you getting any interviews, is your CV getting through the first rung. If not, maybe you should consider getting further help from www.pittraining.co.uk or www.pilotinterviews.co.uk. I know a few people who have attended these courses and have benefited greatly.
In any event, it was never gonna be easy, but keep your ear to the ground, make sure you are net-working and I'm sure you are doing all of those things but the first job is the hardest to get. After that it is a breeze, believe me.
Good luck Autofly
Regards
Bovey
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
AUTOFLY
Like you, I'm concernned about the financial risk.
Personally, I'm working hard and saving like mad so I don't have to borrow, or wont need to borrow so much.
My friends have nice houses, nice clothes and nice cars.......and nice big credit card bills, mortgage repayments, HPI etc etc etc
I have none of the above, but I do have a healthy savings balance. I reckon another 18 months of hard work and saving will see me there.
If you really want it you'll get it.
Like you, I'm concernned about the financial risk.
Personally, I'm working hard and saving like mad so I don't have to borrow, or wont need to borrow so much.
My friends have nice houses, nice clothes and nice cars.......and nice big credit card bills, mortgage repayments, HPI etc etc etc
I have none of the above, but I do have a healthy savings balance. I reckon another 18 months of hard work and saving will see me there.
If you really want it you'll get it.
