Hi
This is my first time posting on this website. I am about to finish my multi IFR with close to 400 hrs flight time and was hoping to get some advice on the job hunt.
From my research I see that I have 3 options; 1) I keep looking for a direct pilot job which will take me a while. 2) Invest in float training. 3) Apply for a ramp job and work my way up.
So any help on this will be greatly appreciated.
Also I was hoping some of you can recommend companies I can apply to.

PS: Please do not use this thread to start a argument about ramp job vs direct pilot jobs.

Oh boy, you said the 'r-word'!

Let the soapbox pontificating begin.....

Crank up the resume machine, service your car, and head out on a road trip. 400 hrs will set you a bit above the rest of the 200 hour wonders, and might land you in a seat. If youve got a spare $2k kicking around, then by all means get a float rating - it will open more doors for you. Don't go the ramp route unless it's your absolute last resort next to welfare...

Good luck!

any recommendations on places to apply to?

Look up operators on pilotcareercenter.com. Look for types that are generally considered entry level for an FO. Navajo, King Air, Metro and sometimes 1900s. A few companies might have a 182 or 206 or similar.

Once you have a list of companies that will realistically hire low timers, search on here, on google, everywhere to try and get a picture of what that company is like. Where necessary, send a private message to ask questions that aren't likely to be answered publicly. Spend the time to tailor the resume and cover letter to the specific company, and proof read it 3 times. Don't send it to the wrong company, don't apply for a Metro FO job at a company that only has King Airs. Little goofs like that make a chief pilot laugh and die a little inside before tossing your resume.

Do a road trip to hit up the better companies. Call ahead to make sure the CP is actually there. Even if not, having the initiative to show up in person, dressed well and resume in hand. If the CP "isn't there" or doesn't want to talk to you, hand delivering a resume even to the receptionist is bonus points.

goingnowherefast wrote:
Do a road trip to hit up the better companies. Call ahead to make sure the CP is actually there. Even if not, having the initiative to show up in person, dressed well and resume in hand. If the CP "isn't there" or doesn't want to talk to you, hand delivering a resume even to the receptionist is bonus points.

Dress well for sure. But if you are going to smaller bush operations like flying a C206 based at a dirt strip, I would dress like you are ready to work off the bat. Decent looking weather gear and boots as a starting suggestion!

If you're in Ontario, there's a thread on another forum about this stuff. The road trip route has worked for me personally, and you'll get just about everyone on there agreeing that it's one of the better ways to score a job.

As far as airline work (since you've posted it up here), I believe most operators in the 704/705 world either require about 500 hours, or will have some sort of ramp/dispatch job first. 400 hours does put you ahead a little bit, however, if you're just getting out of school, it could also be a bit of a red flag (as most people finish before 300). I would recommend going to the Flight Training and Employment forums and reading those for a bit, there's a fairly solid amount of advice, both for getting your resume ready and for how to actually go about finding work in there! (If you take the time to look)

Good luck!

I'll have to agree to disagree with North Shore about the ramp route. I was going down to 200 and a 1/2 long before many of my friends who instructed and went up north because I worked the ramp. Depends on where you work the ramp I guess.

I'll also agree to disagree with North Shore with a caveat. Some ramp jobs quickly lead to flying. Others (in civilized parts of the country) are an indefinite wait. I would encourage you to take a flying job if it is offered to you. If the only thing someone is offering is a ramp job, do some research and see if it's worth the wait. The hardest job to get is the first one.

funny thing is all my classmates who stuck it out all ended up at roughly the same place at the same time. Some get lucky, some don't. Some start off slow, then land a 1200 hour a year gig. here we all are.
My best advice is to get a job, any job with a good outfit. Work hard, don't do stupid sh!t, Be good to your word, but know when to leave too. Your log book is a toolbox, fill it with a much as you can.
Enjoy yourself, as looking back its those memories you share cruising along at FL410.
Good luck.

BE20 Driver wrote: The hardest job to get is the first one.

Took 4 weeks to find first job, been 3 years trying to find a regional job, clearly you have no clue what you're talking about.

For most getting your first job is the hardest.

Not much of a hunt if we have to do all the work for you.