Employment rant......

[a_c]

Start rant……..I am tired of hearing no we are not hiring any low timers, but call back when u get more hours…Dam catch 22..This year I was told something totally different…â€how would u like a job…. starting next week.. We will call u..†Hmmmmm two weeks later†Ohh ya forgot to call. No we don’t need anyone anymore but thanks for calling.†Now nobody’s hiring low timers.. Kickn my a$$. Tried going on a road trip to find work but unemployment said we will cut u off….. Another catch 22..i know u are suppose to be looking and calling, going into companies till they get annoyed and finally hire u but that actually doesn’t happen…catch 22…Ohh well end rant and maybe interest in this industry..


A_C

 

[MagSeal]

me, Jim Masse and his bird, we had a special bond... a bond that couldn''t be broken for all the lottery tickets in the world.
Seriously, I wonder though, what would this industry be like if he was still around?

 

[407 Driver]

All valid points A_C, I hear you.....

Hey Mag, don't mislead the poor fellow, That may have worked for you, but I think Mr Masse preferred "gals" like you...

 

[MagSeal]

I think you need to adjust the catch 22 scenario. don't be like the last guy, set yourself apart, have your hair, nails and make-up done by a professional drag queen, make yourself look better than their wives. If that doesn't work, wear your shirt and jeans on backwards, go as far as showing the chief pilot your thong. You've got to be different and have an edge over the last guy and leave an impression the next guy can't match. Don't be shy, be yourself, and then some.

 

[4961]

Well A_C I feel for you. It's too bad that you weren't better informed before you started out. We've been down this road before in a different thread. The industry is brutal for lowtimers, and we were all in the same boat at some time.
Put yourself in the shoes of the employer for a moment. Just because you have a new drivers license dosn't make you ready for the Indy 500. So think of what you can offer besides flying, and being the company drag queen. Unless your into that sort of stuff, I mean what ever blows your skirt up.

Good luck and don't get too bitter.

 

[Whirlygirl]

I agree with ya A_C.. lowtimers are caught in the worst catch 22... but like someone mentioned in another thread.. it''s a matter of supply and demand.. as long as schools keep pouring out fresh new baby pilots in to the shark pool things will never change. Gotta say maybe it is time that the amount of commercial pilots coming out of schools be limited in some way.

 

[412driver]

A_C,

don't give up. if this is what you really want then go get it. when i got hired i was down to my last $200.00 AND ABOUT $30K of debt. now 15 years later it's a whole new ball game.

"limiting" the influx of new pilots isn't going to change things because that isn't going to happen.

we know how you feel because for the most part we've all been there. well, except for saturnman, he got his on a silver platter i think

what makes you more special than the other kid with the same ticket? what can you offer that the others can't? i know SOME schools will tell you "all our students get jobs" "we have connections" ect. ect. bottom line is it is all about you. research every company, hang around the hangars if you have to. do all that stuff that gives saturnman nightmares. but if you quit? well........


oh, one more thing. i still have EVERY reject letter from companies that replied to my letters. i've shown them to a few of the guys that wrote them too.....

 

[GoldMember]

a_c

Not to be pouring salt in an obvious wound, but did you know what you were getting into? How much research did you do before spending your hard earned or borrowed cash? Obtaining a heli-driver ticket without sufficient knowledge of the hardships faced by freshly minted pilots is like skydiving without a ''chute. This business can be brutal to lowtimers and oldtimers alike.

OK, I''m done wagging my finger at you, so now what to do about your situation...
Keep your damn chin up, be positive to a fault. Research the companies that you''re applying to,know what aircraft they fly, where they operate, who the key people are and what their main business focus is. Then all you have to do is make them believe that you would be a valuable addition to their organization. Sound simple? It''s not.

I''ve been down the same road that you''re on now. I had to grin and bear it for so long that I forgot what it was like to frown. All of the crap that I went through was worth it though because I absolutely love doing what I do for a living. Believe in yourself and in your ability to get a "first shot" and you''ll make it.

GM

 

[coolhand110]

A_C
It took me 2 years to find a job in the industry. Then I was hired By a company to clean toilets, Paint, fuel helicopters, sweep the hanger, strip paint off of machines, etc......2 years of working like this and I was finally given a chance. Most of my friends it took between 3-4 years before they were flying. They never gave up and most are now flying all over Canada. As hard as it is, keep positive, and people will notice you. Try sending your resume attached to a toilet brush. If you can''t get through the secretary during the week, go on a Saturday. Maybe try the companies with 214''s. They tend to help lots of people. Good luck

 

[Over-Talk]

A-C,
We were all 100 hour pups at one time, so we know how it feels.
Hopefully you did your research before you spent all that loot on a licence, and therefore heard that getting the first job is extremely difficult.

It is, in my opinion, a GOOD thing that a licence is so expensive, and the jobs so hard to get. Simply, it seperates the men from the boys, or more specifically, the gonnabes from the wannabes.
If you keep at it and get a job, you will be surprised by how tough the industry is, even once you are actually on the inside. You will spend your career dodging death, divorce, and taxes. But it''s all worth it, if you really love to fly.

So what are you, man or boy, wannabe or gonnabe ????
If you don''t like my tough attitude, I apologise. But remember you will have alot tougher decisions to make as a Commercial Helicopter Pilot in Canada.
Your family and passengers deserve the best. Do you have what it takes ???

You have a right, (and a need) to rant occasionally, after all, whining is very common from pilots!!
But now, make some decisions about yourself, and if you really want it, then get out there and go get ''em.

Yes, some rookies WILL be hired this year. Will you be one ??
It just takes attitude, perseverence, a smile, and usually a bit of luck. But luck only comes to those who provide the other 3 parts themselves.

Sincere Best Wishes,

P.S. It took me 5 years to get my foot in the door, that was over 7000 hours ago.

 

[T-rex]

Magseal, All that Eastern air is making you "lose" it!!!!! keep your head high! Don''t give up! It''s a lousey year to break into the industry!!!!

Never give up!!!!!!!

 

[frenchwrench]

I can also add that I haven''t seen a 100 guy yet come in when they were at the local schools and say they would do anything to gain experience . There is always a pump to fix a manual to update, I always have a ton of 15 minute jobs to do. Most applicants have no barrel fueling experience. or any operational experience etc. I had to do a ton of jobs, Took extra classes in repairing small engines etc.

 

[412driver]

like coolhand said, try the 214 guys because they always need co-joes BUT........

show up with proper clothing to work, your paperwork in order and MOST IMPORTANTLY, a HELMET under your arm!!

if YOU are not ready to go, then there is nothing the company can do.........................

about 8 years ago i had a 100 hour pup come knocking on my door on a sunday, begging to buy a helmet because he was to show up with one the next day. not only that, he only had HALF what i was asking for the helmet. ya, i gave it to him and he started flying. not to toot my own horn but to show that YOU NEED TO BE READY TO GO!!

good luck

 

[coolhand110]

Hey 412
Wasn''t it you that showed up with a paintbrush and a shovel. Ready to dig ditches and build fences. Look where it got you. How are you doing out there?

 

[Big Duke 6]

A_C My advise to you is to start drinking heavily. No seriously, listen to the managers on this forum. They have a lot to offer. However if this was an easy gig everyone would be doin it. Hang in there. If your in Kelowna your more than welcome at our hangar( Skyline Helicopters). Hopefully we can help with any questions you have and point you in the right direction.Unfortuantly our minimum requirement is 5000 Hrs , but we realize that one day you will have these hrs. So it''s in our best interest to try and do what we can for you now, because 15 yrs from now you will be the future leaders of our industry,and one day might be my boss. Good Luck!