Aviation Career

[seagull22]

Hello all
I am currently enrolled in Pennsylvania College of Technology as a Small Bussiniess major. After college I am looking for a managment type of career. What types of jobs are there available? Those who have these types of jobs please tell me about your experience with them. My ultimate job would be a job where I could interact with aircraft at least once a day. I am just trying to get an idea of what's out there, I have been looking at companies including Cirrus and Cessna to see what types of jobs they have what would you reccomend? Thank you for your time
David Sigel

[flyguy]

Dispatch might be right up your alley.

[rookiepilot_20]

I hate to break it to you but you are not just going to be hired in as a manager for Cessna, Cirrus, or any company for that matter. You have to know the business to be able to manage it. I would look for an entry level job related to the business and work from there.

[ChrisH]

You could be a station manager for an airline.

[seagull22]

I know im not going to get a managment position out there right away, I am just trying to get some ideas on whats out there that actually deals with the aircraft. I think a great job would be a representive for a small aircraft company and travel to shows to showcase the product. Any other ideas on whats out there in reffrence to aviation
THanks
Dave

[PanJet]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

You could be a station manager for an airline.

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly does a station manager do? I'm actually interested in aviation management myself.

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by PanJet

Pardon my ignorance, but what exactly does a station manager do? I'm actually interested in aviation management myself.

You would work for Northwest, Delta, or some other airline, and manage their station at an airport. Basically, you would manage the ramp, and customer service employees, as well as the whole ground operations at that airport. At a major hub, you wouldn't manage the entire thing, just a section, but at an outstation, you'd be in charge of the whole operation.

My ex-boss (I recently left the company), has a degree in aviation management, and that is what he does. He is actually about to move into a position at the airline's headquarters now.

[PanJet]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

You would work for Northwest, Delta, or some other airline, and manage their station at an airport. Basically, you would manage the ramp, and customer service employees, as well as the whole ground operations at that airport. At a major hub, you wouldn't manage the entire thing, just a section, but at an outstation, you'd be in charge of the whole operation.

My ex-boss (I recently left the company), has a degree in aviation management, and that is what he does. He is actually about to move into a position at the airline's headquarters now.

Do you know what it takes to get into a position like that? Where did he start? That sounds about exactly like something I'd be interested in.

[bradj2000]

My friend works for a company that does ramp ops for alaskan and aloha.
He started as a lowly ramper, then shift lead, then shift supervisor, now his title is safety officer, theres two guys over him-the "something er other" and then the station manager.

He also gets to fly on those airlines for $20

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by PanJet

Do you know what it takes to get into a position like that? Where did he start? That sounds about exactly like something I'd be interested in.

It would help to get a job working for an airline in customer service, or on the ramp. Then, once you get your degree, start looking for open manager positions, and apply. That is what my boss did.

[PanJet]

Originally Posted by ChrisH

It would help to get a job working for an airline in customer service, or on the ramp. Then, once you get your degree, start looking for open manager positions, and apply. That is what my boss did.

Problem is I'm only a year and half away from a degree and I'm working mostly as a CFI. I love flying, but I think I'm looking at other options and some sort of management is where I was thinking. (My degree is aviation management.)

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by PanJet

Problem is I'm only a year and half away from a degree and I'm working mostly as a CFI. I love flying, but I think I'm looking at other options and some sort of management is where I was thinking. (My degree is aviation management.)

Airtran used to have an incredibly strong internal hiring policy. I know a guy with basic 135 mins (1200 TT) that got put into 717 class there about 2 years ago. All he did was instructing and rent. I don't know if they are offering current new hires to the company that opportunity or not.

If airtran had a station near me I'd be there on my days off.

[dc3flyer]

You could always look into being an airport manager at a smaller airport, or maybe an FBO manager.