All Our Graduates Have Jobs

[Doc]

I was told this very recently by one of the many Canadian aviation colleges.

Flying jobs? I asked. "Oh no, ramp and dock jobs. You can't get flying jobs right out of school, you don't have the hours...." So, I guess if you spend two years on a ramp, or a dock, then you WILL have the hours.....??
Sorry, but you don't need college of any sort to load airplanes. A monkey can do that.
Funny how these "jobs" count as "employment" to the college......some of their grads MUST be "employed" at McDonalds as well? Does this also count as "All our grads are employed...."
If you have graduated from an "aviation" college, with a PILOT'S LICENCE, wouldn't "employed" mean working as a "PILOT"? Or do I expect too much?
If you went to med school and got a job flipping burgers, you are not "employed" as far as the med school is concerned. Or maybe you are? I'm very confused.

[Gravol]

Doc, which college are we talking about? They are all terrible for making such ridiculous statements. Working the night shift at Shoppers also constitutes employed out of college !

[PointyEngine]

I have a few friends who have gone through the sausage factories who claim "All graduate are employed". The only type ratings these guys have is on coffee machines at Starbucks... Can't fault the college, though, they are employed!!

[Doc]

If I graduate with my welding papers, I am NOT employed if I work at Shoppers Drug Mart. This is SO misleading.
I won't name the college. I'm sure they all shovel the same line of crap.

[Condorito]

Come on Doc, it's the Canadian Way...

[PilotDAR]

I certainly agree that the chances of employment - in one's trained discipline - should be clearly presented, and not deceptive.

That said, as long as the work is accurately represented, it is fair to expect a person new to aviation employment, to willingly "pay their dues" with some grunt work. It is that experience which will help that person establish themselves, and not be a prima donna. The new pilot who expects to graduate, and step into right seat in a King Air, is perhaps thinking to jump the experience queue.

Who here, who works in aviation, has not worked hard, doing something less than glamorous, at the beginning of their career? It's just a part of the life. A new pilot should see some merit in work around aircraft at all, and the opportunity to demonstrate their enthusiasm and dedication to those who would choose the next pilot for the company.

But, that should be clearly presented as a reality to candidate pilots..........

[DanWEC]

The only real way to get a flying job right off the bat is to do an instructor rating. Everyone I know recently who took that route, and was serious about it, have gotten jobs within months. You still have to put yourself out there and be willing to work anywhere, but it's a hell of a lot better than tossing bags for two years. Not to mention the fact that you're actually building hours and skills as a PILOT and a year or two down the road when you move into another job you aren't just an incredibly rusty 200 hour wonder, with callouses....

[iflyforpie]

Not necessarily.

I did my instructor rating but the lion's share of my hours from 200-1000 were 702-703 single engine stuff: aerial patrol, scenic flights, and charters..... without doing any ramp.

My advice to anyone who doesn't want to do ramp is to go find a company with a 182, 206, or 210. Most 200 hour wonders won't apply because they'd rather ramp it for a shot at a twin. PIC is king, and guess who will have tons of it when rampies finally get their shot at cojo? Guess who will make captain first?

One advantage the instructor rating gives you is the ability to log night hours single piston engine and get paid for it. Instructors seldom have problems getting their ATPL once they get on a twin. Guys with no PIC and no night on the other hand....

[esp803]

PIC is King, however...

My Class at Selkirk College was quite small, only 5 of us. We finished 5 years ago. Of the five of us 2 went to work the ramp, 2 went straight onto king airs as cojos, and I found a 206 to fly. One of the individuals who worked the ramp became a BE20/02 Captain in a couple years, the other ramp attendant is buzzing around in a PC12. One BE20 F/O left to continue education (probably a good move), and is now getting back into aviation, the other BE20 F/O is now upgrading on a Bassler. I'm still buzzing around in a 185. I think after 5 years we are all mostly happy with where this career has taken us.

I'm quite happy flying around in any little float plane and don't really see what all the fuss is about "Twin time". An extra lever to push? Yippee!!!

As to the original post, I think employed within a company in your field probably counts as employed, although it's a shady way of phrasing it. It all depends on where you are willing to go and how long you are willing to wait. I never worked the ramp, flew straight out of college and I'm not a captain on a twin turbine (and have no intention of progressing to that), but I love my life and wouldn't change it for any amount of engines... Even when just out of school you can chase lifestyle, and I strongly encourage that you do.

E

[Doc]

Even when just out of school you can chase lifestyle, and I strongly encourage that you do.

E

These are very wise words. It usually takes the average pilot about 30-40 years, and a divorce or two to figure this out!