Accepted Job as Airport Operations Officer

[Dreampilot]

Hey Everyone,

I just wanted to know if anyone has ever worked as an Airport Operations Officer? One thing I find weird is that the pay is very low for a job that prefers a associates/bachelors and a PPL. Has anyone gotten promoted or know if this job can lead to better positions and higher pay? Thanks for the input.

[jet-dreams]

Originally Posted by Dreampilot

the pay is very low

Well at least now we know its not just the F/Os pay that sucks.

[Airport7]

Thats exactly where I started. Then I went on to be an airport manager, and now I'm in the FAA inspecting airports.

Where did you get hired?

I think you should understand that airports is a whole different thing than flying. It can be incredibly frustrating and exhausting, but it is also the most satisfying thing I've ever done. It gave me the opportunity to pull injured (and deceased) people out of wrecked airplanes, literally walk through fire, be responsible for the overall operation of a multi-million dollar public facility, and make decisions that effect aviation (airlines, FBOs, fuelers, GA, everybody) as a whole. All before I was 26.

It is quite possibly the one area of aviation that still presents the opportunity for an individual to make a drastic difference in the industry. If your into it, it's worth it. If you want to be a pilot, go be a pilot. If you want to get rich, go do something else. There is a reason certain people end up in this field, and it has nothing to do with money or glamour. If you truly care about aviation, then give it shot. You can always go back to whatever you were doing before.

It's also a lot of damn fun