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by sierra2469alpha » Sun, 26 Oct 2008 8:31 pm
Nic/Spooks, as ex tech crew, you'll need to really have some very good credentials on you to get into ANY cadet scheme.
I don't want to burn your hopes, but really, it's going to be difficult.
People with 4000+ on jet, command time of 1000+ are being furloughed in the US, and you have with all due respect, no chance getting into the majors as a cadet unless you can show them that you have "committed" to flying - I use the inverterted commas for a reason!!!!
This is why I suggested you look into it, and provided those sites. Do you know how much you will earn? After you pay back the loans?
I know personally 4 people who did the whole Tamworth training debcale, got into Rex, then into DJ - want to know what they earn per annum? Sure, they got 900 turbine time, but they then get into DJ and fly a 73x-NG - right hand seat - no seniority.
3 of those four do other businesses outside - because the income isn't enough to sustain 2 kids in school and a mortgage and two cars - one for the wife, the other so they can get to work. The three of them have mortgages that makes me cringe. The other of my other mates now flies freight at night, and never sees his kids. He was my check captain on the B737.
You go into this profession for love. If you love it, I will help you as I help others. Just do your research, first.
It is so much a lifestyle choice - and others may disagree - but it's cold coffee; crap schedules; difficult flight ops wanting you to do extra shifts but not pay you; the occasional standing in a terminal waiting to be transported to a hotel where the next room seems to be having an orgy (and you're not invited!); then you get up and do it all again while trying to run a normal life. Your circadian sleep gets totally rooted (but if and only if you are single, this may be a good thing!). You'll fly, as you build your hours up, crap planes in crap weather and learn how to fly straight and true. You'll shiver or sweat, sometimes within the same trip. As you offload SLF or freight, you'll walk around the a/c and check again - ice, damage, leaks, and tyres. Then, when you think you can go off for a pee, or grab a sandwich, your pager/mobile will ring with some issue.
Then you go into some cold (or hot) terminal and ring. There is always some problem - fuel not being loaded; putting extra tech crew on; missed pax going on your flight. And you still haven't had your sandwich or coffee.
That was my world - do I miss it? Hell yes. However you need to know what real aviation is like.
HTH, P