TheRoadto1500

Low Time Pilot Job

Posted by CaptainBareAss@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 12 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

I have compiled stories of pilots working jobs other than CFI \[here\](roadto1500.com) (survey, banner, skydiving, pipeline) while they're getting to the magic number. But let me start by saying every job gets old. If you're worried about getting tired of flying in circles in the pattern, all the other jobs are arguably more boring. I tried pipeline patrol last year, and i'd take instructing over that any day. Even flying skydivers this summer got old, lowkey. As far as hours are concerned, 500 would give you a better shot at all these jobs for sure BUT even then, personality matters so much more than hours. Just having the minimum requirements will not get you an interview. I know I kinda sound all gloomy, so don't get me wrong: I love job hopping the low-time jobs. But it's definitely not that much better (or at all in a lot of cases) than instructing. Feel free to dm me anytime!

Low Time Pilot Career Advice

Posted by Ok-Masterpiece5573@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 33 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

i thought not enough multi time was always the “disqualifying” factor even for C172 pilots but i might’ve been wrong then but yeah the market’s depressingly bad, which is why not leaving the cfi job with comparable hours to survey AND in the same type anyway was a good move, ESPECIALLY to go 121 as fast as possible best of luck dude! maybe we’ll run into eachother at some point, see if aviation really is as small as they say ;)

Low Time Pilot Career Advice

Posted by Ok-Masterpiece5573@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 33 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

yeeeeah, they’re probably right… but it’s pretty unheard of to even get an interview at Skylens with only 50 hours of multi (unless you had lots in aztec haha) Are you an A&P pilot?

Low Time Pilot Career Advice

Posted by Ok-Masterpiece5573@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 33 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

sooo, did you take the job with Skylens or nah? you were one of the "chosen" ones! Yes, the regionals are now preferring dual time, so I'm curious if you took a chance or not :))

Whats the highest you ever flown? (Unpressurized)

Posted by HSVMalooGTS@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 396 comments

Just hit 300 hours BUTTT

Posted by Glittering_Egg_3835@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 81 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

So how many hours did you get dropping skydivers? because if you ***just*** hit 300 hours, you must’ve been a weekend only guy for context, i did 250 in 7 months full time, which was the slowest season since covid

Is nobody hiring pilots in the US?

Posted by AndyTheEngr@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 244 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

That’s sweet dude! Heard the initial investment is a bit steep but it’s an adventure. If it were two years ago, i would’ve given it a shot no questions asked, yolo

Is nobody hiring pilots in the US?

Posted by AndyTheEngr@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 244 comments

Is nobody hiring pilots in the US?

Posted by AndyTheEngr@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 244 comments

Is nobody hiring pilots in the US?

Posted by AndyTheEngr@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 244 comments

Job Search Struggle

Posted by Responsible_Start381@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 82 comments

If you had all your ratings (except ATP), what training would you spend an extra $10k on?

Posted by ShadowSinger2121@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 70 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

Useful in getting a low-time job? tailwheel and seaplane, one and/or the other hands down. The amount of multi you’ll get for 10k is negligible and you’re already an MEI anyway. You’re also not going to cross 500 hours if you blow it all off on cheap single engine time. You have everything except ATP, so now all you really want is stand out when you submit a resume. A lot of applicants will have all that you have AND more hours. But very few will have tailwheel time, and none will have the seaplane rating. It makes you interesting. I’d argue not every employer sees it that way. But the small mom and pops run by pilots for sure do. The only time you’d blow it off on a specific aircraft type is if you had inside information that time in type WILL put you above everyone else. I say this because some companies are like that, and if you blew $10k on aztec hours (aerial survey) for example or C182 hours (dropzone), you’d most likely get the interview. Now me personally, i’d go for tailwheel cause i want to tow banners next summer!

For the people who never got their CFI, how did you build your hours and where are you now?

Posted by fgflyer@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 141 comments

How long did it take you to hear back after applying in the low time job market?

Posted by Manwhostaresatthesun@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 57 comments

How long did it take you to hear back after applying in the low time job market?

Posted by Manwhostaresatthesun@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 57 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

I used to blast resumes everywhere too, thinking I’d get lucky at some point, and I did. Got a job at 400 hours. But I’ll be done this fall with the end of skydiving season so I’m already back on the market. I have 600 hours too, and I stopped spraying emails. I’m instead trying to connect with people online to get inside information or even referrals. It’s slow and the dopamine hit isn’t as immediate as just hitting send email or submit application. But it actually works. I’ve seen people clown on services that teach you how to properly network, but if I had cash to buy such services I would. Since I don’t, I kind of just have to do trial and error and hope I crack the code before my contract ends. To answer your question, it’s been taking me between 2-3 months between initial conversation to job offer. Unfortunately the few offers I got were for immediate openings so I couldn’t take them (currently under training contract). It’s funny how when you have a job, you have 5 others ready to take you but when you need one, nothing. And yeah, not having my CFI isn’t helping. I know JAV should accept resumes soon if you maybe wanna keep an eye out, but I also know nobody’s getting hired without a referral. If you want to exchange some companies names you’ve applied to work for, let’s chat!

For the people who never got their CFI, how did you build your hours and where are you now?

Posted by fgflyer@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 141 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

was it maybe JAV or Williams? i didn’t make the cut for Skylens, applied for EV, waiting for JAV to open hiring… i can dm you if you prefer to keep it private, just a few questions :))

For the people who never got their CFI, how did you build your hours and where are you now?

Posted by fgflyer@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 141 comments

For the people who never got their CFI, how did you build your hours and where are you now?

Posted by fgflyer@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 141 comments

Very lost, might enlist? Idk

Posted by magictaco03@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 336 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

When you say you’ve applied to 300+ places, did you just email resumes and/or make phone calls? if so, that’s probably why you’re not landing anything.

Jump pilot poll - how many hours did you get since start of the season?

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Jump pilot poll - how many hours did you get since start of the season?

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

How to survive as a CFI ? [US]

Posted by Twistedfatemain@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 69 comments

American patrols question

Posted by Trobinson3575@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 9 comments

American patrols question

Posted by Trobinson3575@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 9 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

$750/month for housing, “okay” is subjective, $18-25/hour, averaging $23k/year (cc: their website) The hiring process is the hard part. You move to Midland and need to pass the flight portion of the interview. Some say it’s easy, but a lot of applicants will wash out, it’s a competition after all. Getting your application looked at is kind of a gamble. Good luck though!

Asking all 182 skydive pilots

Posted by Several-Morning-3643@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 60 comments

Jump pilot poll - how many hours did you get since start of the season?

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Jump pilot poll - how many hours did you get since start of the season?

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

250 to 1500

Posted by Better-Caramel3983@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 82 comments

250 to 1500

Posted by Better-Caramel3983@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 82 comments

250 to 1500

Posted by Better-Caramel3983@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 82 comments

Commercial Insurance Minimums

Posted by nihilist_neli@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 41 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

To answer your question, yes you should always look at C172 jobs anyway. Yes, the insurance probably requires C172 time specifically. Insurance is often just an excuse.

Flight instructing at Auburn

Posted by aviator32403@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 21 comments

No Part 141 Training Records

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

No Part 141 Training Records

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

No Part 141 Training Records

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

No Part 141 Training Records

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

No Part 141 Training Records

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

No Part 141 Training Records

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 14 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

I would like to think so, but I’m trying to find out for real. My logbook doesn’t have anything that mentions “disatisfactory”, just need to confirm before I hit 0 on the apps.

Pilots, how is your relationship? Married or dating

Posted by humantrvsh@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 169 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit

Can i dm you? i’m looking into survey after i’m done flying jumpers and the companies I’m looking seem to do x amount of months straight on the road.

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

Oh for sure. Even flying jumpers I understand the customer service aspect of being a pilot. That wasn’t brought up at all during any of the dropzones I interviewed for though. I imagine almost all entry-level flying jobs are that way. You’re not dealing with customers doing pipeline or survey or banner towing either. So I was just wondering how much corporate BS fluency is expected at this level. Yes, I’m always going to need that skill later. I’m pretty sure the BS hurts at this level though, which is why I had to ask if that idea was wrong.

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

Well, what actually prompted this is that I was looking into coaching and interview prep. The package I found was promising but pretty costly. It seems most programs hover around a couple thousand dollars and I don’t know many of us low-time guys able to put that down, when a job can’t really be guaranteed afterwards. And when we know at our level, it’s mostly about connections and personality, i wasn’t sure it would make sense. Just looking at any way for low-time pilots to get a leg up in this market!

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

At the level you guys are operating, I absolutely would get why some sort of corporate *“fluffiness”* is necessary. It’s pretty cool to see there’s still leeway if you’re a solid person though, and it’s not just down to being corporate. And maybe my understand of what corporate is, is skewed too

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

makes sense. There’s another comment that talked about coming up with a fluffy answer after researching the company, and it worked. Is that ever a thing to consider? that’s what my understanding of prepping was before everyone else chimed in.

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

That’s exactly what I’m asking, when does HR love the BS and whey do they not? I’m guessing she didn’t even know the female boss thing, right? Did HR believe her BS or do they know it’s BS but appreciate the creativity?

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

Okay, this is where I have questions about if it ever gets too corporate-y. If someone says “I really haven’t thought about that”, why do you not like it? Is it because it shows the person just won’t fit with your culture? For example, I couldn’t tell you off the bat how I failed to provide good customer service and recovered. But I know I have at some point. I don’t think anyone could really come up with an answer to that question on the spot. If they do, they definitely prepped. And that’s where I’m wondering if prepping doesn’t take away the genuineness of a person? Although I understand in a corporate flight department, results matter more? I guess I just want to understand how a prepped candidate is better

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

That’s how I approached every interview so far as a low-time guy. But my understanding was that, as you go up, you need to learn to play the corporate game and tell the company what they want to hear? It’s been really easy to apply for all these low-time jobs because sure, I want the hours, but I also really wanted to live the jump pilot or banner tow pilot experience. Now, thinking about flying turbine SIC-ing, it’s not as exciting but it’s gonna pay much better. I obviously can’t say that in an interview. Was I wrong to assume not every 135 want the honest version?

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

The other questions are fine, but the “when did you go above and beyond” question is where it starts to feel superficial to me. Nothing instinctly comes up, which feels to me like an indicator that having to prep an answer shows that I’m just trying to talk myself up. Maybe then it’s because I don’t go above and beyond one may say? Well, i’d disagree because I genuinely always do my best and I know I’ve gone above and beyond more than once (be the first at work, clean the aircraft…), but I wouldn’t be able to come up with an answer on the spot. I guess that’s where prep comes in handy? My point is, don’t you guys think when interviewing that someone who stumbles upon his words but provides a genuine answer better than someone who came with a canned one?

A question for people in charge of hiring low-time pilots

Posted by TheRoadto1500@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments

TheRoadto1500@reddit (OP)

That is what i feel is the “easy” portion of the interview because you just need to read and learn. But what about the HR stuff for a small 135? Would you say that’s not super important?

is aerobatics a hobby more than a job?

Posted by Charming-Letter6108@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 30 comments