How do I get a flying job as soon as possible?

[BoostedNihilist]

No kidding. Your facebook photos are as boring as sawdust, Northy. I would never hire you.

Hey, "Meatservo" I know who you are. maybe the 'other' guys photos are more interesting

[Ville]

Where can you get "pilot skills and experience"? Being on the right seat (or flying easy runs to start) gets my vote over working on the ramp/dock. Why is it disturbing to you that every pilot wants to actually start flying as soon as possible?

My comment was in response to this.

I know what you are saying about my low hours. I guess it's just a matter of hopefully getting in with a company that will upgrade me faster rather than later.

There is no such thing as fast upgrading in aviation.....or at least no real safe way to upgrade fast because it takes time to learn the job properly.

Does that explain my comment better?

ok, sounds good. I guess I should have clarified I meant being upgraded from ramp/whatever to cockpit. I agree it's necessary to put in hours and learn. What I'm thinking though is that time spent in a cockpit is most valuable for learning. If I can get out with an experienced pilot as much as possible, that will be the most beneficial thing I can do at this point. In fact, personally I would definitely not feel comfortable taking on the responsibility for a plane and passengers in many situations, that more experienced pilots would have no problem doing it. But let's say after a year of flying on the right seat, I'm certain my personal limits and comfort level will get to a point (or a lot closer) where I can be confident flying in less than optimal weather and actually be useful to a company.
With my low hours getting on the right seat and getting PIC on easy routes in good weather is the best thing for me. If I don't have to spend a year or two working on a ramp, I will be further ahead sooner. That said, I'm going to do what it takes regardless. Never did get into aviation for the money...

[Big Pistons Forever]

.

[Big Pistons Forever]

I'm going to do what it takes regardless. Never did get into aviation for the money...

That is the smartest thing you have said so far on this thread

[Ville]

I'm going to do what it takes regardless. Never did get into aviation for the money...

That is the smartest thing you have said so far on this thread

indeed.

[Cat Driver]

[Dagwood]

:
I'm going to do what it takes regardless. Never did get into aviation for the money...

Isn't this why pilot pay is so poor? The next guy will undercut the guy in front of him.

It's a race to the bottom with that attitude.

[hairdo]

I'm going to do what it takes regardless. Never did get into aviation for the money...

That is the smartest thing you have said so far on this thread

If that's the case, not good... not good at all. Ville, if you're 'going to do what it takes regardless', don't even think of complaining about how crappy your wages are five years from now...

[Big Pistons Forever]

I'm going to do what it takes regardless. Never did get into aviation for the money...

That is the smartest thing you have said so far on this thread

If that's the case, not good... not good at all. Ville, if you're 'going to do what it takes regardless', don't even think of complaining about how crappy your wages are five years from now...

I chose to read this as Ville's intent to park his ego and work his way up the aviation career ladder like most of us have. The first step is to take what you get and work hard, learn from others, and make yourself valuable to the company. None of that requires prostituting yourself

[Ville]

Big Piston has it right. I also have personal reasons for getting into aviation which I'm not getting into, besides to say it's not because I'm looking to become rich. I'd also rather do something I enjoy than make "good money" doing something I hate. In any case, what am I & rest of the thousands of new pilots gonna do? Refuse to work for less than $60 000 to start? It wouldn't even work if we all did it. Never gonna happen. We'd have immigrants or someone coming to under cut us... If I've learned anything here in my couple of months on av canada is that (first of all no matter what you say people are gonna take it the wrong way ) it's undeniable that you gotta start with lower than desired pay. If I can support a wife and a kid to start with, I'll be pretty happy. Would I work for peanuts if I had a bunch of experience and was making good money for a company? For sure not; being responsible for million dollar machines and a bunch of human lives is worth something. But let's face it, loading/unloading cargo is not worth much, even if you have a piece of paper in your pocket that says TC thinks you are good to go. All I'm saying is that I don't expect to be compensated royally if I'm not worth it to a company. Then when I am, then I expect it.

[hairdo]

(first of all no matter what you say people are gonna take it the wrong way)

Of course they will. There are many non-verbal expressions missing in a textual post versus a face-to-face conversion (tone, facial expressions, et cetera). To explain my post, I have simply become tired of the people who offer to work for less than the next guy, just to get in the airplane first (not saying that you are). That was how I read your post, apparently incorrectly. If you are 'willing to do what it takes' in the form of honestly working for your position, I have no beef with you.

I wish you the best of luck with your career.

-hairdo

[square]

I got into flying for the money. I don't know what you guys are talking about really. It's an occupation, I do it for the compensation, lifestyle and benefits. There's tons of dudes making six figures who've been flying for under ten years. Who are in their late twenties and early thirties. No they didn't make that kind of money initially, they weren't worth it, but they invested their time in the lower ranks so they could benefit from what a senior pilot deserves.

Here's your formula for success,

Take a job at a company where there is on average a quick ramp wait that flies a lot of hours. Work the ramp and keep the operation running smooth. Keep the ramp neat, the coffee full and the planes clean. Do that and your boss will think you're the guy to fly his charters. Bust your rear-end and make that company a lot of money. See that your customers are comfortable and enjoy their flight. Then go get a twin-turbine job at a company with on average quick captain upgrades that flies a lot of hours. Bust the rest of your ends to make that company a lot of money and keep their contracts secure. Then go get your seniority number at the jet job of your choice and watch the bills roll in.

[Ville]

Thanks for the replies. For sure, all of us are looking to make a living, no question about that. What do you all think about airlines vs bush flying? I know there is a lot more money in airlines, but I figured bush flying would be more interesting and fun. I've also thought about commuters. How is the pay/working conditions for commuter vs bush? Personally I don't see myself getting into major airlines.
Cheers