A Student with Questions

[turkey20]

Hi there - just taking a break from the Commercial Pilot Study Guide

I am a Conestoga College aviation student entering final year come September. I am 20 years old and work at my local Swiss Chalet restaurant serving. I also print photos at a Loblaws store. During the school year I continue to work weekends to put away some extra cash. My college experience has certainly been a positive one!!

I try to talk to a variety of pilots to get their insight on different sectors of the business. Some tell me career flying is great, and others tell me not to give it my time and money as many of us students will never see an airline in our careers (I get more of this one).

My goal is naturally to fly for Air Canada, however I realize my goal will change a thousand times before it is set in stone. I'd like to believe that one day I will command the left seat of an Air Canada aircraft. For the moment thats what I have to drive me as I work my way up.

My questions to you are:
When will we probably see the most demand for pilots?

If this demand were to exist could we ever see the days of instructors getting hired with 3rd teir operators (Georgian, Bearskin)?

What is the next best step after instructing?

Any other comments are welcomed.

Thanks for your insight.

[double-j]

Hi there,

I doubt many of us can accurately predict the type of growth in the future, let me just say if aviation is in your blood, forget about what the naysayers say. As for the route after instruction, I would say look for a strong, solid company with a good reputation and try to get in with them. While working there, make contacts in the industry (as you should do from the beginning!) and create and update your application with AC regardless if you think you don't have the type of time they are looking for.

Finally, whatever path you choose, don't be in such a panic to get upwards. In later years, sitting in your airliner, you will look back and speak fondly about your time in the bush. Remember...life is a journey..enjoy the ride!

good luck!

jj

[quickflight]

Maybe instructing isn't the only way to go. If you want to do that then great the industry will always need good instructors, but look at all the 'first job' options. Many of them you will build time faster than instructing and you don't have students trying to kill you every day.

[DA900]

Hello turkey20

Welcome to the never dull world of aviation where rumours and back stabbing come with the territory. It not all bad just keep a good look out where you tread. Be careful what you say and who you say it too. You never know when it will come back to bite you. As for your questions

1) The next few years should be very hot with all the majors doing interviews. I know a lot of people say that but this is coming from inside the industry.

2) That is a tough one to answer because as always it depends on the supply of pilots. If the trend continues then yes you will see that but it will take a few years.

3) When you start instructing always be on the lookout for another job even if its worse conditions then you are already in. Some people get to comfortable with thier job and miss out on other postions. So flying a air taxi up north may not rank high on your wish list don't stay with instructing so long that you become unmarketable.

So with that said good luck!

[Slugger]

Turkey 20,

If you want to instruct, instruct. That is how I got started. But, don't stop looking for other opportunities that will put you into bigger equipment. I enjoyed my instruting time and it helped me later on when I was a training pilot. I flown in a few different operations in my career (intruction, charter, corporate, ag, sheduled, and airline), have met many different people and made some great friends. Whether you go up north or get the chance to stay in civilization, enjoy what you are doing. Every day is a new learning experience in this industry. Take the advice of all that have posted here. Don't p**s anybody off as it can come around and bite you. Everybody knows everybody else in aviation.
Looking at the numbers of retirements at "Big Red" in the next few years and their hiring trend that is supposed to take place in the next couple of years (600 pilots), that is going to really open up the industry. Airlines are going to take connector, corporate, and G/A. This will start (and it has already started) the move upward as these positions open up.
When you are doing long haul over the Pacific or wherever, you will have the time to reflect back and say, "I have been there and done that". Keep you eyes open, keep making contacts, but don't forget your roots.
Best of luck with your career.

[CommSpaz]

Finally people are offering students positive insight to their future in aviation!! THANK YOU!!! In my short 6 years in aviation I have not seen the movement that i'm seeing right now.

My advice is just to get the most out of every job you have, regardless of how little you may like it or how much you may love it. But then again, T20, you've heard that before.

CS

[Bede]

Your two toughest job finds will be your first job and your first multi job. After that , as long as there's some hiring going on, the rest is down hill. Except for the big stuff, in which case you'll just have to wait a while. Sometimes it's ok to work for a bad company; you get in, get out in a short time and move on. Good companies have low turnover, which make it tough to upgrade. If you ever have an instructor who tells you there's a shortage in aviation, find a new instructor. While tier 3 companies will lose lots of pilots to airlines, your first couple jobs will still be extremely tough to find (for me anyways). Plus side is we have the best office view.

Best of luck.