Desperate

[traveller1982]

So I realize things are tough everywhere at the moment however this just seems rediculous. I have over 2000 TT, 1100 MPIC been applying for anything and everything for over 6 months and only had 1 interview and not many more call backs. I am willing to go anywhere fly anything and don't even give a toss about pay really (anything is better than nothing). So if anyone knows of anything would really appreciate a PM a piece of advice. Cheers

[Just another canuck]

I really can't help you with any tips on job openings, but perhaps you need to look at your resume/cover letter and employer approach. Over the last several months, this has been a continuous topic. Some people are getting call backs and some aren't. The ones that are getting calls aren't necessarily more experienced, it's just their approach to the job. Of course, there is the "right place, right time" thing to, which you've obviously had no luck with. With your experience, you should be able to pick something up.

Good luck.

Edit - just looked at the Jobs section... there's over 1400 views for the King Air job at Nor-Alta. I'd like to know the number of qualified applicants these guys are getting... WOW. It's a tough market and I feel for you. Time to call in some old favours and start bugging those friends of yours to help you out. Right now, more than ever, "It's not what you, it's who you know."

Once again, I wish you luck.

[Invertago]

"It's not what you, it's who you know."

Actually it is who knows you and the impression you left them with, but I digress.

[traveller1982]

"It's not what you, it's who you know."

Actually it is who knows you and the impression you left them with, but I digress.

This may be my problem I am an Australian and I haven't flown in Canada before. I hold a Canadian ATPL and have a working visa but I know very few people in Canada. I have moved here because I am engaged to a Canadian. Bad timing I know!

[Changes in Latitudes]

"It's not what you, it's who you know."

Actually it is who knows you and the impression you left them with, but I digress.

This may be my problem I am an Australian and I haven't flown in Canada before. I hold a Canadian ATPL and have a working visa but I know very few people in Canada. I have moved here because I am engaged to a Canadian. Bad timing I know!

Bingo. Essentially you're going to have to work twice as hard as someone else with your flight time. You need to get out there and physically shake some hands. Get to know some people, get your face known, get known as a person that people want to help, then when an opportunity comes up, even before it goes on the employment advertisements, you'll get a call (ie. "a friend of a friend knows a company that is looking for a pilot"). That's going to be the best way to get a job in this difficult environment.

Best of luck. Hang in there.

[sissyphus]

Where are about are you?

There's a chance you may be completely out of synch with the local industry. Having a million hours of floats in southern Saskatchewan doesn't help much, nor does a bunch of IFR in the bush. Where did you get the MPIC? Do you have a PPC? Is it valid? Do you have special skills? (tow pilot, floats, instructor, electrician)

There's something unique to the canadian aviation industry known as the Drive. The drive consists of going to every airport from coast to coast. South to north. Dropping resume's at every operator from sky dive operations to 705 ops, ramp job, office work, electrical work, general slave or maybe the elusive flying position. The gold mine's are the towns where the secondary roads ends.

Some people have done the drive a few times, some find work on the first stop. Luck of being in the right spot with the minimum requirements is the name of the game.

Not sure how its done in Australia, but that's our system. It's cruel and it kills a lot of hopes and dreams, until it pays off.

cheers

[Float Driver]

and don't even give a toss about pay really (anything is better than nothing).

ATTA BOY! Way to take the power away from the operators! That'll teach them to pay shitty wages! Go work for nothing is my suggestion, get those hrs! That way everyone behind you will get higher wages in the future! Be sure to tell every pilot you meet how you got your job. Hopefully someone will enlighten you how smart u are outside a bar somewhere.

[sanjet]

Got laid off last month due to company base closure.. Have 2700 hrs, mostly dash-8 time. I've applied so many spots no luck on anything... It's tough times for sure, i think the worst is yet to come...

I am willing to go anywhere fly anything and don't even give a toss about pay really (anything is better than nothing).

Hang in there, remember to keep your intergrity, don't work for free no matter how worst times are. It will just make things worst for you in the future. Good luck dude

[pushyboss]

"there's over 1400 views for the King Air job at Nor-Alta. I'd like to know the number of qualified applicants these guys are getting.."


We have recieved 2 resumes from qualified applicants.....

[SkyWolfe]

Pushy: I viewed it because I was interested in the company for the future. So you can count me as a view, but not an application I would guess there are a few more like myself.

[Cubester]

I have over 2000 TT, 1100 MPIC been applying for anything and everything for over 6 months and only had 1 interview and not many more call backs. I am willing to go anywhere fly anything and don't even give a toss about pay really (anything is better than nothing).

If you are engaged. I can't picture you moving way off into the bush, or to the other side of the country. So, I'm guessing you're applications are somewhat selective. 2000TT is nothing in Southern Ontario. As well, 2000TT won't help too much in the bush if you've never seen anything but intructor pavement-pavement flights.

As well working visa? How long is it valid for? Can't see too many employers wanting to invest a PPC into you! It's hard enough to have guys stick around 2 yrs to cover training costs. An employer would be pretty foolish to spend that kinda money to someone who is guaranteed not be able to stick around.

Float season is coming and most operators should be hiring, if not, already hired by now. Best part, you can probally swing it since it's seasonal all you won't have to move-move away. Just like going to summer camp.

So in conclusion, Go north and Go small (182 Check-out is cheap) and I can almost promise you a job. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=54119 has your name all over it!

Best-o-luck,
Cube

As well, don't say that about pay. That just pisses everyone off.

['effin hippie]

With your time, drive direct YXE and YPA and start bugging Transwest and National Aviation. Courtesy is nearby too.

Best shot guaranteed.

Say hi to my kids in YSF for me.

ef

[traveller1982]

I am willing to go anywhere fly anything and don't even give a toss about pay really (anything is better than nothing).

Hang in there, remember to keep your intergrity, don't work for free no matter how worst times are. It will just make things worst for you in the future. Good luck dude[/quote]

Just for the record not that I should have to explain myself, what I meant was I would go back to flying a 182 in the middle of no where just to get a start in Canada (this would obviously pay a lot less than flying high end charter or airline). I have never and would never work for free. Pilots deserve to be paid and paid well. At the end of the day whether you are flying 2 people round in the bush or 200 around the globe I am sure the families of those people want them to come home. I am sure there is more chance of this if you can afford to feed yourself.

[beast]

pushyboss - you guys only received two good resumes?

[Just another canuck]

"there's over 1400 views for the King Air job at Nor-Alta. I'd like to know the number of qualified applicants these guys are getting.."


We have recieved 2 resumes from qualified applicants.....

Wow... wouldn't have guessed it.

[Switchfoot]

[quote="sanjet"]Got laid off last month due to company base closure.. Have 2700 hrs, mostly dash-8 time. I've applied so many spots no luck on anything... It's tough times for sure, i think the worst is yet to come...
[quote="traveller1982"]

Reading this got me thinking about qualifications. Before I pose the question though, I'm wondering if that dash-8 time you have is mostly right seat or PIC? It's likely been covered elsewhere before but the question goes something along the lines of: Two candidates walk in for a job at Jazz, WJ, etc. and one has 2700 hrs (or most of it) over 12,500 lbs, some right seat, some PIC versus the second candidate who has 3500 hrs. total time, with a larger percentage of multi-turbine PIC with some over 12,500 lbs. Both candidates have decent IFR experience, glass cockpit, FMS, etc, etc. Personalites and individiual attitudes aside, who gets chosen for the job based on experience alone?

[Just another canuck]

Personalites and individiual attitudes aside, who gets chosen for the job based on experience alone?

The guy with the MPIC does... pretty much always.

I'm wondering if that dash-8 time you have is mostly right seat or PIC?

I'm guessing it's all right seat and zero PIC... no offense sanjet, but that's why you're having trouble. I know because I had the same trouble. It's a pain in the ass for many companies to put the guy in the left seat with zero MPIC. One other reason to work your way up through the ranks of airplanes. You learn more and get the experience required to move along at a quicker pace... plus you'll just be a better pilot. This makes me think of those college co-joes for Jazz... they'd be useless in any other environment.

[Switchfoot]

Personalites and individiual attitudes aside, who gets chosen for the job based on experience alone?

The guy with the MPIC does... pretty much always.

I'm wondering if that dash-8 time you have is mostly right seat or PIC?

I'm guessing it's all right seat and zero PIC... no offense sanjet, but that's why you're having trouble. I know because I had the same trouble. It's a pain in the ass for many companies to put the guy in the left seat with zero MPIC.

That's what I'm thinking also, but I'll let sanjet confirm that. Which brings up the point of rushing for that first right seat job where one could get stuck for a long time while they could be out getting the multi-pic instead.

[sanjet]

That's what I'm thinking also, but I'll let sanjet confirm that. Which brings up the point of rushing for that first right seat job where one could get stuck for a long time while they could be out getting the multi-pic instead.

True, I do have little PIC time...
Pay/schedule was good, was having the time of my life flying a dash at 23 yrs of age, people were amazing to work with, and my seniority was close for captain upgrade so I just didnt see the need to go on to any other jobs.
Having just only another 2-3 months of flying the dash before I was eligible for my ATPL.... boom I get a letter saying my YUL base and another base will be closing so I along with 20 other guys were no longer needed. This in the worst economic times in my history. Don't get me wrong, was a great company, hopefully they can get things straight again.... My luck ran out I guess LOL
That's my story

[Rog]

Sucks. I've been laid of 3 times and I ain't that old. Keep your head up.

[A2G]

I wish I could say I've been layed off.....at least that implies I had a flying job!!.....I'm just unemployed, ugh