Perhaps this question has been asked before, but here it comes again:
You're a pilot who is at a job flying (albeit not much this time of the year). Feeling ready to move on. Do you leave only when you have another flying job to go to, or do you go and take your chances without a guarantee??
I do realize it's still tough out there even with some experience but I also know the jobs won't come to me.
Need some honest advice from those who know.
Thanks.
Switch.
Leaving.
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Switchfoot
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alpha speed
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In my opinion it is better to have no gaps in your flying carear. Phone and e-mail your resume and follow up with a call and when you have more hours keep up dating with places you have sent your resume. Unless you are wealthy wait till the call comes from your new job.
Last edited by alpha speed on Fri Jan 14, 2005 11:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
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TopperHarley
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Switchfoot,
I'm by no means an expert, but I believe that you should not leave your job unless something else comes up, no matter how discouraged you feel. Right now, I'm flying very little too (a few times per month, if Im lucky), but the way I look at, Im at least flying and logging some time. If you have a lot of time off, use it to make phone calls and visit CPs. If you're really desparate for money, then I would try to find another non-aviation part-time job.
I have spoken to other pilots who felt they were stuck in a "dead end" with no hope in sight; however, things have worked out for all of them. They may have had to spend a little more time on the ramp or a little more time instructing, but they all remained patient and things have paid off big-time for them.
Good luck,
Chris.
I'm by no means an expert, but I believe that you should not leave your job unless something else comes up, no matter how discouraged you feel. Right now, I'm flying very little too (a few times per month, if Im lucky), but the way I look at, Im at least flying and logging some time. If you have a lot of time off, use it to make phone calls and visit CPs. If you're really desparate for money, then I would try to find another non-aviation part-time job.
I have spoken to other pilots who felt they were stuck in a "dead end" with no hope in sight; however, things have worked out for all of them. They may have had to spend a little more time on the ramp or a little more time instructing, but they all remained patient and things have paid off big-time for them.
Good luck,
Chris.
"Never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly." - Mother Theresa
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Cat Driver
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If there are safety concerns with your present employer and you are unable to resolve them that would be the only reason that I would leave without another job to go to.
Cat
Cat
The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
After over a half a century of flying no one ever died because of my decision not to fly.
Ok, so after you get that next job to go to, how much notice should you give your current employer? I'm in the position where I have a good job logging lots of SE PIC, but no opportunity to move to bigger multi stuff. I also have an in at a good company down south, and at some point they may call and offer me a job. So how much notice, does it matter wheather it is busy season or not?
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Switchfoot
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Merlin:
As for giving notice, I think 2 weeks should suffice, or better yet, find someone to replace you. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you should be okay with a couple of weeks.
Just don't pass up a good opportunity waiting.
Furthermore, what do you do when you are interested in a career type job and you need multi time....the company you're employed with has a twin but there are no guarantees of a chance to fly much in that machine? How long do you wait? As I said, I've got some time but don't you think it would be important to go to a place where there is more multi-engined machines?
So, that's the problem. Do I continue to wait and build more single PIC time that I don't need whilst looking for that multi job or do I leave and work my butt off to get in with a company who has those opportunities? There are other factors involved other than just the job.
As for giving notice, I think 2 weeks should suffice, or better yet, find someone to replace you. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, you should be okay with a couple of weeks.
Just don't pass up a good opportunity waiting.
Furthermore, what do you do when you are interested in a career type job and you need multi time....the company you're employed with has a twin but there are no guarantees of a chance to fly much in that machine? How long do you wait? As I said, I've got some time but don't you think it would be important to go to a place where there is more multi-engined machines?
So, that's the problem. Do I continue to wait and build more single PIC time that I don't need whilst looking for that multi job or do I leave and work my butt off to get in with a company who has those opportunities? There are other factors involved other than just the job.
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Northern Flyer
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As for giving 2 weeks notice, I believe any reputable company wanting to hire you would respect the fact that you want to give your soon to be former employer two weeks notice.
Switchfoot, I personally would not leave my current job unless I had another lined up. It would be too hard to pay the mortgage, vehicle, and toy payments. If I had alot less debt, however, I might consider it. Ones sanity must be worth something.
Switchfoot, I personally would not leave my current job unless I had another lined up. It would be too hard to pay the mortgage, vehicle, and toy payments. If I had alot less debt, however, I might consider it. Ones sanity must be worth something.
In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield...W. Buffett-
Right Seat Captain
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Perhaps thats a good use of vacation time, if your work permits you to take it in a big chunk. I've seen some pilots take their vacation in the summer, when the flying is busy, and then sit around in the winter, complaining about not flying. I don't think theres anything wrong with the complaining about not flying, besides we all do it. However it might be wiser to take your vacation when you've got nothing to do, rather than missing the peak season.
Now again, this is only if you are actually able to get a chunk of vacation. Use that time to travel and find yourself a better job. Shake hands, show your face, meet people...
Now again, this is only if you are actually able to get a chunk of vacation. Use that time to travel and find yourself a better job. Shake hands, show your face, meet people...
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Switchfoot
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Right Seat Captain:
Yes, that is good advice and that is precisely what I did about two weeks ago.
And I'm considering taking more time off since there is very little happening right now. Summer is far too busy (normally) for such a thing as days off. Now is the time for poking around.
Anyways, if anyone else has some words of wisdom on the subject of the job thing, I'm all ears, and eyes!
Switch.
Yes, that is good advice and that is precisely what I did about two weeks ago.
And I'm considering taking more time off since there is very little happening right now. Summer is far too busy (normally) for such a thing as days off. Now is the time for poking around.
Anyways, if anyone else has some words of wisdom on the subject of the job thing, I'm all ears, and eyes!
Switch.
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Rubberbiscuit
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That is all good advise!
I allways say: " Make short term decisions for long term consequenses!"
What do I mean? Everybody is eager to move on. Naturally. But I allways tried to plan six months or a year at a time as an example, but I tried too see how this could affect my career goals in the long run. When I look back now I see that all my short term decisions had long term consequenses.
That is not to say that you know what the next day will bring.
Don't know if that makes any sense at all, but good luck!
I allways say: " Make short term decisions for long term consequenses!"
What do I mean? Everybody is eager to move on. Naturally. But I allways tried to plan six months or a year at a time as an example, but I tried too see how this could affect my career goals in the long run. When I look back now I see that all my short term decisions had long term consequenses.
That is not to say that you know what the next day will bring.
Don't know if that makes any sense at all, but good luck!
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Rubberbiscuit
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That is all good advise!
I allways say: " Make short term decisions for long term consequenses!"
What do I mean? Everybody is eager to move on. Naturally. But I allways tried to plan six months or a year at a time as an example, but I tried too see how this could affect my career goals in the long run. When I look back now I see that all my short term decisions had long term consequenses.
That is not to say that you know what the next day will bring.
Don't know if that makes any sense at all, but good luck!
I allways say: " Make short term decisions for long term consequenses!"
What do I mean? Everybody is eager to move on. Naturally. But I allways tried to plan six months or a year at a time as an example, but I tried too see how this could affect my career goals in the long run. When I look back now I see that all my short term decisions had long term consequenses.
That is not to say that you know what the next day will bring.
Don't know if that makes any sense at all, but good luck!
Switch:
Someone, just recently, went directly into Westjet from a Caravan.
I think it depends more on supply and demand.
I think PIC time is a bit more useful than you perceive it, whether it be single engine or not.Do I continue to wait and build more single PIC time that I don't need whilst looking for that multi job...
Someone, just recently, went directly into Westjet from a Caravan.
While to some degree, finding your next job might depends on how HARD you try, I think it would be safe to say that it matters little. No matter how hard you try, someone else has probably tried HARDER!... or do I leave and work my butt off to get in with a company who has those opportunities?
I think it depends more on supply and demand.
Charlie
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shimmydampner
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Switchfoot
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Charlie:
I'd agree that PIC time is great, not only for the logbook, but for character building and experience. But I'm not flying a Caravan here...I'm flying light single engine piston driven aircraft. As I'm sure you know, multi-time is important too.
I'm just feeling a bit frustrated these days sitting around with nothing to do. No offense to anyone, just looking for advice.
Thanks.
I'd agree that PIC time is great, not only for the logbook, but for character building and experience. But I'm not flying a Caravan here...I'm flying light single engine piston driven aircraft. As I'm sure you know, multi-time is important too.
I'm just feeling a bit frustrated these days sitting around with nothing to do. No offense to anyone, just looking for advice.
Thanks.
Switch:
Sounds like all these guys are telling you the same thing and you are on the right track. It IS tough sitting around during the winter flying once awhile...you almost feel useless or as if you are wasting your life away.
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Sounds like all these guys are telling you the same thing and you are on the right track. It IS tough sitting around during the winter flying once awhile...you almost feel useless or as if you are wasting your life away.
quick story...a guy I worked with had an interview with a regional airline and things were sounding good. They called his current employer asking for a reference and said that they would be hiring my friend. Therefore my friend left the company and prepared himself for his new job. However due to unforseen circumstances the regional company didn't end up hiring my friend. By the time he found this out his old employer had already found someone else. One of those things that "won't happen to me" I'll tell you bud, you truly don't know how good you had it until you don't have it no more."Don't let go of one branch until you've got a firm grasp on another."
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Switchfoot
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Thanks for the advice everyone. From what I've been reading and hearing, it likely would not be a wise choice to go until there is something else to go to.
"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot."
Clear skies and happy flying!
"Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone...they paved paradise, and put up a parking lot."
Clear skies and happy flying!
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Northern Girl
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