Waterloo PC12, FO

[Sky_Conqueror]

If I leave before he specified time on the contract, I will have to reimburse them the remaining amount. Just a simple bond.

[Nwtflier]

Well since you already know what our next question is going to be, why don't you just answer it now...

[Plane_sight]

I respect you Sky_Conqueror, for pursuing a job opportunity outside of Canada. You are one of the lucky few. I tried but they had stopped accepting low-timers.

Now that fewer and fewer companies in Canada are accepting low-timers and flight schools continue to pump out new CPLs, and the fact that fewer and fewer Asian carriers are accepting foreign FOs (low-timers), the industry has continued it's downward slide and the slope keeps getting steeper.

And they tell us there is a shortage!! You have to laugh when a magazine or a newspaper publishes a story about a pilot shortage. Obviously they are terribly misinformed about this industry. Did they talk to anyone before typing the article? Anyone?

I wish flight schools would stop brainwashing students into thinking there will be jobs for them when they finish their training. People are always harping about better education. How about we educate people on the job prospects for the industry they are thinking about entering which will help stop the problem at the source.

[esp803]

Now that fewer and fewer companies in Canada are accepting low-timers and flight schools continue to pump out new CPLs, and the fact that fewer and fewer Asian carriers are accepting foreign FOs (low-timers), the industry has continued it's downward slide and the slope keeps getting steeper.

Just to play devils advocate... Doesn't that mean the industry is getting better and safer by companies hiring more experienced crews?

If it makes you feel a little better about the industry, most of the people who graduated (in years after me) from the same flight college I did are quite a bit "further" in their careers. In the last couple years it seems that most go from F/O to king air captain in a couple years after finishing. There are jobs out there for low timers, there are even good jobs out there for low timers. Keep networking, chase lifestyle, and everything will work itself out.

E

[Bushav8er]

flight schools continue to pump out new CPLs

That right there is the problem! To many people for to few jobs.

Schools don't care about anything but the bottomline, like any business. If the College of Pilots has one goal it should be to stop this practice....open school doors only when there is job demand! At the very least, restrict number of applicants.

BTW - the "Looming Pilot Shortage" has been around longer than 10 years, I remember that crap from 30+ years ago...it is a handy school ad campaign brought forward from when there actually was a shortage.

[Plane_sight]

Just to play devils advocate... Doesn't that mean the industry is getting better and safer by companies hiring more experienced crews?

No, unfortunately it doesn't mean that. It means that there is an ever-growing bottleneck which is detrimental to all the people who choose to enter the aviation industry (without being properly informed about the outlook). This is because as the bottleneck grows (and it is growing), and the state of the industry continues the way it is, more people choose to/have to choose another occupation to provide for themselves. You can't wait forever for a job....

That said, there will always be a backlog because as those who can't wait any longer turn away and get a different job, more new graduates will more than fill the gap (thus adding to the bottleneck/backlog). This is because not enough people will turn away and change industries or accept a different type of job (non-flying), and instead choose to continue to wait.

If it makes you feel a little better about the industry...

It doesn't, and I haven't felt good about the industry since I graduated in '09. I decided to go in a different direction and I haven't regretted it. I strongly recommend against pursuing a career in aviation to anyone who mentions a slight interest.

[esp803]

I haven't felt good about the industry since I graduated in '09

ahhh, so you've been at this for a while....

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, and happy that you found something that does. For many of us though (despite the incredible number of new commercial pilots) the system has worked. It only took me about 1.5 years after graduation to be making over 60k a year, which is roughly what my brother makes as a 1st year lawyer, the difference is I was making it 5 years before him, didn't go to school for 9 years, seen some of the most amazing parts of Canada, traveled the world twice, and managed not to carry a debt past 25. The industry is not for everybody, and I just wish people would do some research before getting into it. For others it's a never ending adventure. I don't think I have ever woken up to go to this "work" thing people keep talking about...

E

[cdnpilot77]

It doesn't, and I haven't felt good about the industry since I graduated in '09. I decided to go in a different direction and I haven't regretted it. I strongly recommend against pursuing a career in aviation to anyone who mentions a slight interest.

I got into it in 08-09 and haven't regretted a minute of it. To each his/her own I guess, but I went in eyes wide open after doing my own research, not relying on the word of a business, who's business it is to make money on students.

[Sky_Conqueror]

Seems like we have to kill someone to have a slight possibility of having a chance in this goddam industry. Recently got called for a King Air gig in Quebec one week ago. They where supposed to get back to me a few days after the initial call to see if I was interested. I ended up getting a second call saying that the guy that was supposed to leave isn't leaving anymore..... There will always be better qualified individuals.....

[esp803]

Seems like we have to kill someone to have a slight possibility of having a chance in this goddam industry. Recently got called for a King Air gig in Quebec one week ago. They where supposed to get back to me a few days after the initial call to see if I was interested. I ended up getting a second call saying that the guy that was supposed to leave isn't leaving anymore..... There will always be better qualified individuals.....

I thought you were happily flying around in an airbus of some description making 80 grand a year after taxes, and bonded to the company.... why even look for a king air spot in Quebec?

All the high time posters on here also started in the same position as you, some in a worse position... the Industry is still "booming" compared to 2008/9 or 2001 for example. I know companies looking for 1500 hours for a king air CAPTAINS, it's nuts. I wish the industry was like this when I started. I thought I was grossly under qualified for my current position when I got it, but I got it without even submitting a resume. It's who you know, your attitude and your work ethic that will get you that first job. Can't find a job flying an airplane in a year? Big Deal. Get a job on the ramp somewhere and start making connections. Go North, call ISOLATED places with a fleet of small singles. Hell send me a resume and cover letter and I'll give it an edit for formatting, grammar and the likes. It's a start, trust me: Shitty resumes and letters get thrown out no matter how much time you have.

E

[Sky_Conqueror]

Trying to get back to Canada by any means possible. Yes its great to be flying in great temperatures (I should not mention weather in general because here near the equator, it affects all angles of operations), great to sightsee amazing cities and awfully busy airports. But must I remind you that I left behind all my family, friends and way of life back in Canada. Living is Asia is great, but its different than what I grew up around. Even if AC / WS are hiring, I do not yet hold the infamous benchmark 3000 hours to be able to be at least accepted for a potential interview. Even though those websites advertise 1500TT.... Does a valid type rating along with hours on type help? Thats a question reserved for AC.