Are there any jobs out there for beginer AMEs?

[Steve van Leeuwen]

Hi there, I am considering going to BCIT for the AME "M" program, but I am having a very difficult time determining if there will be any jobs when I get through. I am 36 and I have EXCELLENT mechanical skills, but no formal training. If I do the program, I will look for work in B.C. or Alberta, preferably B.C. I have a friend who owns a flying service and he is willing to take me on for a summer and let me try it out. This would be a jack-of-all-trades position, and I doubt I would do a lot of actual work on the aircraft. I would however get some experience in a lot of different aspects of the trade. I also have a class one drivers license so I could do other things for part of the year if the work dried up. I realize I am a little older than a lot of people I would be competing against, but I see this as an asset. I am stable, mature, and VERY reliable, and I have very well developed mechanical abilities. I will have to market myself based on that. What would I make starting out? Will I make a livable wage ($25-35 an hour) eventually? How long will it take to get to that? I cannot live on $12 or $15 an hour even though I have a modest lifestyle. I don't have a big fancy house, my truck is twelve years old, and I don't have children or any expensive vices but I still need to pay my bills and eat. If it is going to take fifteen years to get up to a decent wage I would just say screw it and drive a truck. I also want to know if it is possible to get a job where I am not on the road 90% of my life. I have a strong desire to get off the road and eventually start a family. Call me crazy, but I want to be home to raise kids if I have them. Any advice or info anyone can give me would be appreciated very much. Thank you very much.

[737 Mech]

Sorry man if you can't live on 12-15 bucks an hour for at least 2 yrs.....go back to school and take something else! it's the sad truth of this industry, the money will be desent after you have your licence but only then, I would suggest industrial mechanics if your hard set on being a mechanic of some sort. If you love this industry like I do then the 2 yr wait (apprenticeship) isn't so bad and the money as an ACA M2 engineer is around $27/hour.

hope this helps some...

[Hedley]

I never understood why anyone would want to be an AME. Hard work, low pay. Not a great combination, IMHO.

Here's a better combination: easy work, high pay.

See the difference?

[195psi]

I do it for the look on peoples face when after 12 beers 10 shots I'm doing Kareoke and they ask me what I do. I yell over the music in nice slurred speech and say "I fix airplanes", Priceless.

I think the starting wage issue is only a factor in high costs cities, and as you get more experience more work and more cushy jobs.Inspector, QA whatever. I think it's a good gig overall and it's addictive and engaging. Good luck.

[gonfly'n]

my dad's been driving a truck for about 16 years, and he recently got out of it , I considered driving but it seems like a shitty lifestyle , so now im in the same boat as you (a lot younger) and im looking at an AME program. From what i hear it is an awesome program.

[GoWrench]

If you are looking at retraining yourself, and have "excellent mechanical skills", I suggest training to become a plumber or electrician. The starting wages in these trades is 40% of the journeymen rate. As much as I enjoy maintaining aircraft, I am considering retraining. I make a good wage, however when you compare the responsibilities as an Ame vs wages and work hours, plumber or electrician is the way to go.

Good Luck.

[gonfly'n]

Everyone is saying the same thing.......aviation blows

[. ._]

As far as the trades go, being a machinist myself, and having talked to lots of tradespeople in various shops, the top 10 trades are IMHO are:

1. Electrician
2. Plumber
3. Bricklayer (for the sheer amount of money)
4. Machinist/Mold Maker/Tool and Die Maker
5. Millwright
6. AME
7. Carpenter
8. Welder
9. Hairstylist
10. Auto Mechanic

This is my own opinion, based on how difficult or bad the trade is for your health, combined with wage.

Good luck finding a job other than driving truck. I did that for about 3 months, and didn't like it too much.

-istp

[tellyourkidstogetarealjob]

If you have good skills and your friend is okay with it you should spend a summer working for him BEFORE spending a lot of money on training.

$12 - $16 an hour as an apprentice until licensed and the process may take up to four years after graduation due to Transport Canada B.S.

Keep an eye on these forums, you'll get the picture. There's always complainers in every job but when the majority complain there's usually a reason.