Changing Careers

[Flyboy 4]

I am new to jetcareers but have enjoyed reading several post. I am changing from one fantasy job to another. I was a firefighter for over 17 years and often felt guilty for getting paid. Now I am pursing a new fantasy career - flying!. Making the change has not been a fantasy. I was going to go to RAA in AZ but I have talked to a student that was told by saliemae - they would no longer disburse funds to RAA for her schooling. Bankruptcy in the air - pun intended. So now I find myself searching for the right school again after spending days researching several months earlier. ATP sounds interesting or maybe West Wind - both in AZ . Does any one have input. For now I will continue my BA online with UVSC in Utah as well as my private pilot.

[nwpac]

The Key Bank alternative loan usually has a better interest rate than Sallie Mae. Also if you want to go to the airlines you are probably going to need multi time. Firefighter? Structural or wildland?

[Flyboy 4]

Structure - 7 years in Kansas as Firefighter EMT then 10 years in Utah as Firefigther Paramedic. Use to love being up all night chasing bad accidents and fires. But just not enough fires any more. Medical was fun but not the reason I got into Firefighting.

Yea I have researched enough about schools to know I need Multi Rating. At 44 I dont want to take 2-3 years to complete a Universtiy program. I have enough money and time to go to an academy, with the help of a loan for about half, Just trying to find the right academy. Looking for anyone experences with Academys like West Wind, ATP and the likes.

Thanks for your response, I appreciate the input. This forum has alot of info and people are very helpful.

[Swen]

Have a chat with DesertDog. The man blasted through his ratings at an FBO part 61. It can be done. Even take a look at the price, cheaper than most academies.

[Flyboy 4]

Thanks Swen, I will try and contact this DEVIL DOG you speek of.

I am planning on comparing UVSCs price with other schools at the Provo airport but I was and am worried How I might do at an interview compared to those with an academy's name on their training. Will a FBO creditials and obviously enough hours be enough? Or will having an Academys name make alot of difference.

[Flyboy 4]

ooooppppss! I mean Desert Dog -

[Swen]

Originally Posted by Flyboy 4

Thanks Swen, I will try and contact this DEVIL DOG you speek of.

I am planning on comparing UVSCs price with other schools at the Provo airport but I was and am worried How I might do at an interview compared to those with an academy's name on their training. Will a FBO creditials and obviously enough hours be enough? Or will having an Academys name make alot of difference.

The answer: FBO or academy makes no difference to the airlines.

[LoadMasterC141]

Hiya Swen welcome aboard sir!

You can easily find Desert Dog by Pm'ing him, or checking in his own section called "White Air" at the bottom of the JC list.

Though I like White Air, I have pretty much decided on ATP when the time comes. It may be different for you and it seems Desert has a topnotch operation out there.

[Swen]

Thank you! Although I've been here for some time...

[desertdog71]

I got an email from Flyboy 4 and gave him the low down.

Thanks for pointing my direction.

[Flyboy 4]

Every one has been very helpful Special thanks to Swen and Desert Dog.

Flexability appears to be the best game plan for now, and more research.

[nwpac]

This is in response to being older and wanting to get done with training fast.
It is more than possible to go to a part 61 school (local FBO) and complete all of your ratings in less than a year. I commented on multi time just to make sure it was understood that it was important. If speed of training is your only object, a local FBO will get you through training just as fast as some time building program if you are motivated. The downside of local FBO's is the fact that multi time is expensive and hard to get unless you have your multi engine intstructor rating.

[clumpinglitter]

Originally Posted by nwpac

This is in response to being older and wanting to get done with training fast.
It is more than possible to go to a part 61 school (local FBO) and complete all of your ratings in less than a year. I commented on multi time just to make sure it was understood that it was important. If speed of training is your only object, a local FBO will get you through training just as fast as some time building program if you are motivated. The downside of local FBO's is the fact that multi time is expensive and hard to get unless you have your multi engine intstructor rating.

I did it in less than two years, and I was working a full-time job at the same time. As for multi time, yes, it's a problem. One that I haven't managed to solve yet.

-C.

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by clumpinglitter

I did it in less than two years, and I was working a full-time job at the same time. As for multi time, yes, it's a problem. One that I haven't managed to solve yet.

-C.

This is the same dilemma I am battling with. While I think going to an FBO and getting my ratings would save me money, I am concerned about the multi-time. Schools like ATP seem expensive, but the more I consider that everything is done in a multi-engine plane, the more it seems worth it. I am only on my 5th flight lesson for my PPL, so I have awhile to decide, but if I do go to one of the non-FBO schools, then I think it is going to be ATP.

[clumpinglitter]

Originally Posted by cignaguy

This is the same dilemma I am battling with. While I think going to an FBO and getting my ratings would save me money, I am concerned about the multi-time. Schools like ATP seem expensive, but the more I consider that everything is done in a multi-engine plane, the more it seems worth it. I am only on my 5th flight lesson for my PPL, so I have awhile to decide, but if I do go to one of the non-FBO schools, then I think it is going to be ATP.

I thought about using a multiengine airplane starting with the commercial rating. I decided against it because of the outrageous expense. I got my MEI last August (I think), but I haven't had a multiengine student yet. Here's how I figure it -- if I get ME students, great. If not, I still have the option to split time in the twin with someone -- there's always someone who wants to do that. Either way, I get the time, and my expenses are reduced. And there's always places like Ram Air to build ME time, if I ever went completely crazy and decided to sell my house and move for a flying job.

-C.

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by clumpinglitter

I thought about using a multiengine airplane starting with the commercial rating. I decided against it because of the outrageous expense. I got my MEI last August (I think), but I haven't had a multiengine student yet. Here's how I figure it -- if I get ME students, great. If not, I still have the option to split time in the twin with someone -- there's always someone who wants to do that. Either way, I get the time, and my expenses are reduced. And there's always places like Ram Air to build ME time, if I ever went completely crazy and decided to sell my house and move for a flying job.

-C.

Hi Clumpinglitter- Could you tell me more about Ram Air? How would I (or anyone else)build ME time there? Forgive me for my ignorance.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by cignaguy

Hi Clumpinglitter- Could you tell me more about Ram Air? How would I (or anyone else)build ME time there? Forgive me for my ignorance.

I'm not clumpinglitter, but I DID stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Here ya go:

http://www.ramairfreight.com/employment/faq.html

And you might want to look here: http://forums.jetcareers.com/freight-pilots-ootsk/

And here: http://forums.jetcareers.com/freight-pilots-ootsk/36780-ram-air-flight-training.html

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by ChinookDriver

I'm not clumpinglitter, but I DID stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Here ya go:

http://www.ramairfreight.com/employment/faq.html

And you might want to look here: http://forums.jetcareers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=47

And here: http://forums.jetcareers.com/showthread.php?t=36780

HA! Nice. I love those commercials. Yeah, after I asked, I googled it and found their website. Thanks!

[Flyboy 4]

What do you guys think of Academies vs FBO from a hiring standpoint. Do you think they perfer canidates with Academy time compared to FBO time?

[Murdoughnut]

Originally Posted by Flyboy 4

I was a firefighter for over 17 years and often felt guilty for getting paid.

Well, you won't have to worry about that in aviation.

[Swen]

Originally Posted by Flyboy 4

Will a FBO creditials and obviously enough hours be enough? Or will having an Academys name make alot of difference.

Originally Posted by Swen

The answer: FBO or academy makes no difference to the airlines.

Originally Posted by Flyboy 4

What do you guys think of Academies vs FBO from a hiring standpoint. Do you think they perfer canidates with Academy time compared to FBO time?

[Flyboy 4]

I hear you Swen I was just curious if anyone else has input. Because I hear both sides alot. Just planing the next 20 years of my life and looking to cover all the options. Thanks again for your input.

[cignaguy]

Originally Posted by Flyboy 4

I hear you Swen I was just curious if anyone else has input. Because I hear both sides alot. Just planing the next 20 years of my life and looking to cover all the options. Thanks again for your input.

Hey Flyboy. From all the posts on here that I have read, it makes no difference where you do your training and the airlines rarely ask. They apparently only care that you have the minimums they are looking for when hiring.

In my own personal opinion, they probably don't care where you get your time, but they are very aware of the academy schools, and in times like these when they are desperately looking for pilots, I'm sure they know they can head to the academies and find plenty of qualified candidates.

However, I suppose someone that has trained at an FBO just has to submit their resume and as long as they have the minimum requirements, they have just as good a chance at getting hired.

[nwpac]

Hours are hours...just meet the airlines mins.
Also paying big money is going to hurt later when you are only making $19,000 /year.
I have met people that spent almost 100 grand on their flight training and college, but I have also met people that only spent around 30 grand and they all seem to be on the same level (resume wise)
The comment about Ram air also makes sense. You only need the Part 135 mins. There are a lot of freight haulers all over the country.

BUT
If you have the multi time you could get hired at a regional with low low low low low total time right now.
I know graduates of UND get reduced mins at some airlines...like Horizon. Anyways a lot of schools probably get reduced mins, just look into it before you go.

[Flyboy 4]

Thanks to every one who replied. I have learned more in the few weeks I have been here than the Past several months trying to research schools and paths to airline careers. This is a great forum and I appreciate the help.