Unemployed

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by Citationkid

I am all for paying dues, but I am starting to wonder if aviation takes a determined person, or a person will little to no self worth. I just don't want to be one of those guys who says "Pilots should be paid well" and then go work for $18,000 a year.

I could't agree more, I hate competing with (or being undercut by) people that are willing to live on food stamps for this or any job.

[ShyFlyer]

Originally Posted by skidz

I think you're good as long as it's correctable to 20/20

I think so too, but you would need to be granted a waiver. I tried to get on with the NM Air Guard and they had no issue with my corrected vision though the TAG for the state has a policy of not granting them as New Mexico has no shortage of qualified candidates who do not require such a waiver.

Other Guard/Reserve units will likely differ. Active duty is probably different too, but I never looked into that route (flying wise anyway).

[aloft]

Bummer. Welcome to adulthood, kid. Suck it up and drive on.

Originally Posted by Citationkid

I am considering it. My best friend got an A-10 slot at 19 years old and finished OTS when he was 20. The biggest problem is my eyesight is not 20/20.

You don't need 20/20 anymore, that's a myth.

Originally Posted by Citationkid

It is hard to believe when I think about it, but this is my eighth aviation job. I was jobless for the last few months because I am not willing to work for the low pay that the majority of jobs offer. It sucks to think all I qualify for job wise is flying for Colgan making $18,000 a year, or right seat part 135 for $24,000 a year. I am all for paying dues, but I am starting to wonder if aviation takes a determined person, or a person will little to no self worth. I just don't want to be one of those guys who says "Pilots should be paid well" and then go work for $18,000 a year. Like I said earlier, a lot of this is just venting.

Dude, you're twenty years old. Quit your bitching. Most of your peers are still working for minimum wage at Taco Bell. You've been on JC since you were what, 14, and those of us who've been around all that time have had the opportunity to follow your progression. Bottom line, you've had it VERY easy to this point in your life and flying career, and frankly, it's about time you learned that life isn't always so easy.

Seriously.

Sucks that your gravy train got derailed, but welcome to life. It happens to everyone.

[CK]

Originally Posted by aloft

Bummer. Welcome to adulthood, kid. Suck it up and drive on.

You always were a sweetheart when it came to me Aloft I can guarantee I started driving onto my next project before my layoff was even official. There is a reason I have been able to get where I have gotten, even if you attribute it to 100% luck.

Dude, you're twenty years old. Quit your bitching. Most of your peers are still working for minimum wage at Taco Bell. You've been on JC since you were what, 14, and those of us who've been around all that time have had the opportunity to follow your progression. Bottom line, you've had it VERY easy to this point in your life and flying career, and frankly, it's about time you learned that life isn't always so easy.

Seriously.

Sucks that your gravy train got derailed, but welcome to life. It happens to everyone.

I won't deny I've had plenty of luck, but what you have just said has nothing to do with what you quoted. It seems like you were just taking a jab at me. If you think someone with my experience level (reguardless of age) is only worth $18,000 a year I don't really see any point in arguing with you.

Alex.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by aloft

Bummer. Welcome to adulthood, kid. Suck it up and drive on.


You don't need 20/20 anymore, that's a myth.


Dude, you're twenty years old. Quit your bitching. Most of your peers are still working for minimum wage at Taco Bell. You've been on JC since you were what, 14, and those of us who've been around all that time have had the opportunity to follow your progression. Bottom line, you've had it VERY easy to this point in your life and flying career, and frankly, it's about time you learned that life isn't always so easy.

Seriously.

Sucks that your gravy train got derailed, but welcome to life. It happens to everyone.

Gonna go ahead and "yeah that" to this post.

Man, 20 years old and been flying jets and... oh pish posh, just quit! give up!

I didn't even touch a plane til I was 24, still haven't flown anything with more than 4 seats.

Must suck when life is a silver platter with a golden spoon.

[CK]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

Gonna go ahead and "yeah that" to this post.

Man, 20 years old and been flying jets and... oh pish posh, just quit! give up!

I didn't even touch a plane til I was 24, still haven't flown anything with more than 4 seats.

Must suck when life is a silver platter with a golden spoon.

Hmmm...not really sure where this is coming from. I just lost a job I loved and am dissapointed because of it. Now, as I take a step back and analytically look at aviation as I career I am dissapointed. Not really sure how a post like that is warrented. Weren't you highly considering becoming a DJ not too long ago because the pay was substantially better?

Alex.

[MQAAord]

I think Alex has done a heck of a job of networking and putting effort into what he's done so far.

[Polar742]

Alex seems to take this career quite seriously.

Quite honestly, he's shown way more ambition and hustle than I could dream of.

Is some of it lucky breaks? Yes. Who hasn't had one or two in their career? If not, you will have one.

But he wouldn't have started his own flight school if he didn't have hustle. He bounced from contract job to contract job while CFIing and going to school.

Sure he's young, but I don't think he's got any less of a resume than anyone else making their way up the ranks. I'm quite jealous that I don't have the wide array of experiences he does, flying the different types of equipment.

We need more people like him, who realize their worth to the profession. He's not out there doing some right-seat Citation gig for "flight time". He's not jumping on jobs that pay less than his resume demands. Good for him.

[CK]

Thanks for the kind words Martin.

Originally Posted by Polar742

Is some of it lucky breaks? Yes. Who hasn't had one or two in their career? If not, you will have one.

I'm just worried I've used all mine up already!

Alex.

[JEP]

Originally Posted by Citationkid

You always were a sweetheart when it came to me Aloft I can guarantee I started driving onto my next project before my layoff was even official. There is a reason I have been able to get where I have gotten, even if you attribute it to 100% luck.



I won't deny I've had plenty of luck, but what you have just said has nothing to do with what you quoted. It seems like you were just taking a jab at me. If you think someone with my experience level (reguardless of age) is only worth $18,000 a year I don't really see any point in arguing with you.

Alex.

Luck: When Preparation meets Opportunity!

Don't let the haters bother you.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by Citationkid

Hmmm...not really sure where this is coming from. I just lost a job I loved and am dissapointed because of it. Now, as I take a step back and analytically look at aviation as I career I am dissapointed. Not really sure how a post like that is warrented. Weren't you highly considering becoming a DJ not too long ago because the pay was substantially better?

Alex.

I've been DJ'ing for near 10 years now. Currently, yes my day job IS dj'ing and I pay the rent with it. Not sure how thats related at all. No, the pay is not better. Yes it does keep a roof over me and have some food and a Mad-Dog 20/20 here and there.

My post comes from my own frustration of having to fight tooth and nail for any little bit I've ever had in my life, and still coming up with essentially nothing, while others are given a much better starting point (through random chance of birth status) and then they still bitch about it.

[Polar742]

Originally Posted by Citationkid

Thanks for the kind words Martin.



I'm just worried I've used all mine up already!

Alex.

You're young, have all your hair (but you really should use a comb on occasion), and have a resume I'm jealous of.

You didn't use up all your luck. I think we all get a lucky break to get us past the "You need experience..." - "Well, how to I get experience if I don't have experience?" cycle. The hustle got you in all those directions picking a bit here, a bit there.

Just keep plugging along. The wide array of things you are doing will build a very strong resume. Pick up any magazine about flying. Most of the articles are about people that have done many, many things. Not guys like me who are, "Durrrrr......I dun flied the jets"

[CK]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

I've been DJ'ing for near 10 years now. Currently, yes my day job IS dj'ing and I pay the rent with it. Not sure how thats related at all. No, the pay is not better. Yes it does keep a roof over me and have some food and a Mad-Dog 20/20 here and there.

Sorry, I thought you had a long thread about whether to take a flying job or take a DJ'ing job and you were leaning toward the DJ'ing job because of the pay. It is related if you are saying I am in the wrong to be disgusted with the entry level positions in aviation, when you were considering taking a DJ'ing job over an entry level aviation position.

My post comes from my own frustration of having to fight tooth and nail for any little bit I've ever had in my life, and still coming up with essentially nothing, while others are given a much better starting point (through random chance of birth status) and then they still bitch about it.

Remember, everyone views life from his or her own perspective. I am sure there are people who have fought tooth and nail even more so than you and have even less to show for it. Yet, here you are complaing about what you have

And I am not complaining about my life by any means, I have no idea where that assumption came from. I am bitching about losing a job I loved, and I think I have every right to be saddened by it.

Alex.

[TXaviator]

ok so we're agreeing and saying it in a different way.

yeah, its absolutely asinine that im dj'ing at a strip club because having a technical education is worthless, i 100% agree with that.

sure there may be a few here and there who have worked harder and have less to show, but in the 4 years I was at university, I'll go ahead and say I was probably the guy with the least money (family, credit, etc) in the aviation department, or at least in the top 5 with level of financial inability to get my education in something i really, REALLY wanted, studied for, and honestly have a lot of natural ability and talent for. call me arrogant, whatever. dont care. it pisses me off to no end that there are life situations that no amount of drive, passion, talent, ability, hardwork can get you out of.

"life isnt fair". i understand that. doesnt mean i have to like it.

[Bumblebee]

Alex, I appreciate you taking even these shots with the maturity you have developed over the years on this forum. I too have scrambled and networked and done my best in life, and have sustained setbacks, but keep moving forward. In aviation I have been very fortunate , but it wasn't all laid out for me, and some of the seemingly great hurdles have turned out to be opportunities to grow and learn. You keep your head in the game and know that I (along with may others) support you. With the great attitude you display, it won't be long until another opportunity presents itself.

Just a note...

Many young people have opportunities such as those provided to Alex and most squander them away. This kid has matured early and realized the gifts of opportunity and maximized them. There are many of us who are many years older who have not taken the advice that we all must network to achieve our goals, and that it's best if we show compassion, kindness and mentorship. The bitter and angry person may drive away opportunities unknowingly.

As Dough always says, "You can lead a horse to water..."

[Doug Taylor]

Hey CK-

You've always had a tremendous drive and you're absolutely unsinkable. You'll always be a success in whatever you do and don't let the layoff break your spirit.

Your career has certainly been a real life example of preparation meeting opportunity. Keep your head up, keep it on the positive and continue kicking aviation ass my friend!

If I can help with anything, you know where to find me.

[juan valdez]

Originally Posted by N826AW

Sucks dude. Best of luck to you whichever direction you pursue.

Dude, is that the stag from Top Gear?

CK, good luck man and sorry to hear about your unfortunate circumstances. Keep your head up though. I am 26 going on 27 and still trying to get my comm done. So all in all you've got at the BARE minimum of 7 years on me. Seems as ifyou are a hard worker and you HAVE to have faith that you will be rewarded for this. Most 20 yr olds, I was one of them, are more concerned with how to get booze than their career so good on you for taking a serious interest and care in this.
Best of luck man, I hope you find something soon, aviation or otherwise.

[Bigey]

Damn, sorry to hear bro. It seems you've been able to work to get where you are so far, so i wouldnt worry too much. You'll figure a way to get yourself back in the game. Just stay positive. Maybe since you've worked so hard to get where you are, it might be a nice time to just enjoy life while you're still 20? Take some time off, and just have fun taking up another hobby or something. At least in the mean time. Just a suggestion!

[upup89]

Hang in there... Seems like you've made it so far already you are going to be able to accomplish a lot in this industry.

[CK]

Again, thanks for all of the kind words. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea, I was not out for sympathy. I know others here have had much worse things happen throughout their careers while having mouths to feed other than their own. There is a great line in Bob Hoover's book about a local bar where all of the test pilots drank. When one had a problem on a test flight, they would never come looking for sympathy, because every other person in the bar had been through the same thing, if not worse. I always liked that part in the book. I've got a few things coming together right now, hopefully something will come out of it.

Alex.

[Holding Short]

Maybe you could get a job stripping at the club TXaviator DJ's at(networking).

totally kidding.

[Baronpilot244]

There's plenty of us in the same boat, Alex. But you seem like you have plenty of drive and will be back in the saddle in the not too distant.
I've just gone/am going through the same deal and it sucks big time.
I was also very lucky and hope to be again some day, doesn't mean anything, I've still had to work very hard to do this.
For now though I'll just have to CFI to stay in the air and hopefully things will turn around.

Best of luck

BP244

[C150J]

Keep your chin up, Alex. This industry needs good people desperately, so for my own self-interest, please stick with it.


J.

[ryanmickG]

Originally Posted by scoobs

Man 20 yrs young and already graduated college. Why not the military?

Thats what im sreamin!

If I was your age, in your position, I would have already signed up!

Best of luck

[planesiscool]

Originally Posted by ryanmickG

Thats what im sreamin!

If I was your age, in your position, I would have already signed up!

Best of luck

I would be applying for a little F-22 action. I see those things screaming out of Elmendorf through my living room window every day up here in Anchorage. Heck they almost plow through me when I fly out of merrill; I say military all the way baby!